State and prospects of age-old trees in the dendroflora collection of the Botanical Garden of UNFU

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the article is the following: to analyze the historical materials on the creation of the Botanical Garden arboretum; to investigate the age structure of the dendroflora collection; to study the taxonomic composition, biometric indicators, the sanitary condition of the age-old trees, and their significance in cultural phytocoenoses. Materials and Methods. The study is based on the materials of inventory of woody and shrub plants of the arboretum and literary sources related to the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the dendroflora collection. Results. Arboretum of the Botanical Garden of Ukrainian National Forestry University is one of the oldest dendrological collections in Lviv. The collection includes 28 age-old trees. Their age exceeds 100 years, biometric indicators are significant, and sanitary state, both for a specified age and taking into account urbogenic growth conditions, is good or satisfactory. Some age-old trees (black walnut, katsura-tree, American witch-hazel) are the oldest species in the West of Ukraine and have the largest biometric indicators. Conclusions. The arboretum of the Botanical Garden of UNFU is a unique heritage of garden and park art of the XIX century. The historical composition of the dendroflora is partially preserved. Among the age-old trees, there are both autochtonic and introduced species. Trees are in a good sanitary state. They are an integral part of the formed phytocoenosis. As an object of observation, they can be used for further research of potential ecological and biological capabilities of species in an urbogenic environment.