Development, changes and assessment of tree alleys in town streets

Abstract

Street tree alleys were started to plant as a part of great reconstruction of European and world cities after
industrial revolution from the beginning of 19 th century. Important participation at first street alleys plantation
have had decoration associations organised at town’s of Slovakia territory on 2 nd half of 19 th century. Street
tree alleys and river embankments have wide spectrum of functions useful for man and improving of
environmental conditions. In a new terminology we are talking on services those should be classified as
follow: supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural services. Street trees have high value at designing
of the pedestrian zones and new squares. In Nitra town conditions we have assessed 26 most important street
tree alleys. For this purpose was elaborated a new methodical approach, where besides basic biometrical
dates the following tree characteristics were assessed: potential of environmental adaptability, potential of
biology-ecological value, potential of culture value, potential of disturbing and undesirable influences. Each
group of characteristics was valuated in three following levels of significance (1) low, (2) medium, (3) high.
There were assessed 22 woody plant species and cultivars mapped at Nitra town streets.