Evaluation of Street Tree Inventories in a neighborhood in Rio Claro/SP - Brazil

Abstract

Street trees impact the quality of life of human populations, providing aesthetic, social, ecological, and environmental benefits. Knowing and identifying urban tree species is important for good planning and management. The objective of this study was to assess street trees in the residential neighborhood Jardim das Palmeiras, in Rio Claro, SP, Brazil, through a quantitative and qualitative inventory. The following parameters were considered: scientific name, botanical family, common name, origin, typology, physiological condition, phytosanitary condition, location of the tree component on the sidewalk, permeable area, sidewalk condition, sidewalk survey, and interference with the power grid. Data on the species were also compared for the years 2011 and 2022. A total of 618 individuals were found, of which 588 could be identified by family and species. Murraya paniculata represented 27.7% of the total, and the Rutaceae family was most prominent, with 163 individuals. The inventory showed that 43% were shrubs/herbaceous, 76.94% were adult individuals, and 89.5% had a healthy phytosanitary condition. Due to the large number of shrubs, the percentage of conflicts with the power grid and the like was not significant. Although 58.8% of the sidewalk area was classified as poor for the species, that did not show correlation with the sidewalk survey. Comparison of the years 2011 and 2022 revealed a decline of 82 individuals. The street trees in the residential neighborhood Jardim das Palmeiras had low variability in family classification, irregular species frequency, and excessive planting of a single species, which is not recommended.