Exploration of high-quality wood-producing trees on the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) Medan campus’s green space

Abstract

Urban green space has various benefits, including as a conservation area for different plant species. As a green open space in Medan, the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) campus plays an important role. It performs a dual function as a means of conserving various types of trees that have multiple benefits, including as a producer of wood. Until now, information about the diversity of wood-producing tree species in the green space of the USU campus has not been found. This research was conducted to fill in the gaps in information regarding the diversity of wood-producing species in the green space of the USU campus, Medan. This research was conducted using a comprehensive tree inventory method by investigating the types, uses, and levels of wood strength found in various growing trees. The results showed that 19 tree species had durable class I to II (very durable and durable), 83 tree species had strength class I-III, 38 did not have durable class information, and 36 did not have strength class information. Two tree species that have an endangered status are Shorea parvifolia and Pterocarpus indicus.

The distribution of Syzygium sp. and its potential use in green space of Universitas Sumatera Utara

“…The USU campus has various types of vegetation and wildlife that have the potential to become locations for learning about nature. At least, there are 121 species of trees can be found in this area [9]. The USU campus green space has a fairly high diversity of trees with a Shannon Wiener diversity index of 3.41 [10].…”

Nature interpretation in green space of Universitas Sumatera Utara

“…Most of the tree diversity is native species (70 species or about 57.85%) [9]. This diversity saves protected and threatened tree species in nature, such as Araucaria heterophylla, Agathis dammara, Platycladus orientalis, Shorea parvifolia, Shorea laevis, Shorea leprosula, Diospyros celebica, Pterocarpus indicus, Instia bijuga, Swiethenia macrophylla, Swiethenia mahagoni, Pinus merkusii, Podocarpus polystachyus, Dimocarpus longan, and Aquilaria malaccensis [10]. It proves that the green space of USU can be a location for exsitu conservation facilities for native species.…”