Some visual aspects of planting design and silviculture across contemporary forest management paradigms – Perspectives for urban afforestation

Abstract

There is a pan-European interest in increasing the amount of woodland cover, particularly in areas close to urban populations. However, in the enthusiasm for planting trees, is enough forethought given to visual aspects of woodland stand interiors? This paper conceptualises and assesses visual aspects of planting designs and silvicultural principles across three contemporary forest management paradigms: the commercial, the nature-based, and the urban paradigm. Planting design models and silvicultural treatments were conceptualised from a review combined with case studies. Using profile diagrams, we made visual representations of planting design and stand development, as basis for ‘expert’ assessment of four visual criteria: scale, diversity, naturalness and visual accessibility. The assessment was done for the young stage (0–25 years) and the mature stage (50–90 years) separately, using a qualitative three-step scale: limited, medium, and extended. Seven different planting design models were identified. Three of these originate from the urban paradigm: the seed source model, the density gradient model, and the habitat model. Another three originate from the nature-based paradigm: the natural succession model, the nature-based shortcut model, and the direct approach model. Only one model originates from the commercial paradigm: the monoculture model. The assessment showed that visual aspects vary considerably between planting designs and silvicultural systems. The monoculture model offers the splendour of the mature pillar hall with free views and movements, however, necessitating an obvious plantation stage in its youth. In contrast, models utilising succession and variation in species, age and tree spacing offers an extended experience of diversity and naturalness – even in the young stages. These visual qualities are discussed in relation to future perspectives for urban afforestation across urban woodland zones.