Abstract. Destruction of soil as the environment of root growth, in particular its excessive salinity and alkalization and also the influence of sodium chloride sprayed to keep sidewalks in proper conditions in winter, are the main causes of damage to Tilia × europaea ‘Pallida’ in the NMP Avenue in Częstochowa.

The effect of urban conditions on health status
of common lime (Tilia × europaea ‘Pallida’)
at the Virgin Mary Avenue in Częstochowa

Summary

Detailed observations of health status of common lime trees (Tilia × europaea ‘Pallida’) growing on two green strips along NMP Avenue in Częstochowa demonstrated deleterious morphological changes of all trees under study. They included: leaf withering and necrosis and shoot dieback. Trees directly adjacent to pedestrian crossings showed heavier degradation in comparison with trees growing along the avenue’s axis. Fluorescence measurements of chlorophyll demonstrated lowered yield of photosynthetic apparatus in sick trees vs. control specimens that did not show any damage. No study leaf or shoot samples showed changes caused by fungal pathogens or pests. It was shown that damage of common limes under study was caused by degradation of soil, which is the environment of root growth, particularly by its excessive salinity and alkalization.