Evaluation of Terminalia catappa street trees: A case study in Itanhaém – São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Street trees are the type of urban forest which is closest to the majority of the society and in order for this relationship to remain healthy and beneficial, it is important to know the characteristics of the species having roles in it. Terminalia catappa trees are commonly used in the urban forest composition in the world and it is the most frequent species of street trees in Itanhaém, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate individuals of the species in the municipality’s street trees in order to determine the dendrometric characteristics, practiced pruning modalities, and the main structural defects shown. The results showed that the trees are on average 7.5 m in height, with DBH of 0.30 m and crown radius of 4.5 m. Approximately 75 % of individuals were pruned, with reduction and lifting pruning being the most frequent. The main structural defects found were dry branches in the crown (89.2 %), cracks in the soil caused by the roots (70.3 %) and bacterial galls on the trunk (48.6 %). The analysis of the associations showed that there is an association linking pruning to epicormic shoots and to dry branches. The size of the trees is incompatible with urban infrastructure, showing that sidewalks are not an appropriate site for the species.