DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-963-1-0282

ROADSIDE TREES – AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE OPEN AREAS’ LANDSCAPE

Beata Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz¹, Jan Łukaszkiewicz¹, Piotr Wiśniewski, Andrzej Długoński¹, Nataliia Boiko²

¹ Department of Landscape Architecture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, ul. Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland

² Dendropark "Alexandria" NAS of Ukraine Belaja Tserkov, Ukraine

Tree plantings accompanying communication routes fulfil several technical, aesthetic and environmental functions. In the past, in open areas, they visually marked the route of the road (identification of the local road in the landscape thanks to regular trees - important in winter), protected against unfavourable weather conditions (excessive sun, strong wind, heavy snowfall), emphasized the importance of the space (representative roads, main entrances to villages, cities, residences). Properly shaped (proper structure and adaptation to the spatial context) allows for shaping landscape interiors, exposing an attractive spatial scenery or covering unattractive objects and views. The change and diversity of plant plantings along roads affect the safety of their users - it prevents monotony and driving fatigue. They have a clear environmental impact (protecting surrounding areas against noise and pollution), especially when part of a coherent system of mid-field trees. Ancient avenues are an essential and valuable element of the cultural landscape. In Europe, roadside tree plantings have a long tradition as a permanent landscape element. In some countries, the accelerated development of the road network in recent years has changed the established order of space organization along expressways and highways.

Keywords: plants along roads, landscape, environment

pages: 282-287, Published: 2024, online: 2024