Abstract. The study gives short information on the spacial arrangement and the development of towns of Western Pomerania, as well as on the approach of town people to the afforestation. It presents the role of trees and shrubs as well as the arrangement of green areas of chosen towns of Western Pomerania.

Transformation of green belts in selected towns
of the Western Pomerania

Summary

In the 90’s of the twentieth century and at the beginning of the twenty first century the afforestation of towns in the western part of Western Pomerania was investigated. A close attention was paid to spacial arrangement of towns and the distribution of green belts as well as the occurrence of the oldest trees which have attained the highest measurements. The results indicate that the approach of the public towards the green belts has changed.

The old town areas of the investigated towns are practically without any trees and shrubs, except for the areas near the Town Hall, adjacent to churches, near chapels and old cemeteries. In some towns green areas came into existence beyond the town walls in the place of dams and moats.

As the spacial development of towns at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century increased as well as the public’s awareness of the subject of green areas new parks (often at old cemeteries), squares and villa districts were established, where the streets were planted by lines of trees. New trees and shrubs plantings are often spontaneous and unplanned, and also the selection of species and varieties, especially conifers is inappropriate and does not fit the character of the place.