Review article
Dendrological characteristics of the City of Zagreb Green Horseshoe Suggestion for the regeneration of its eastern part
Josip Karavla
; Zagreb
Abstract
The parks on Tomislav Square, Strossmayer Square and Zrinjevac compose the eastern part of the Lenuci’s Horseshoe, or the Zagreb Green Horseshoe.
The significance of the existing old parks, their dendroflora, and the tending and protection in the heart of the old city is priceless
Called “White City” since the ancient times, Zagreb should also remain a green city. Since the proclamation of Croatia as independent state, Zagreb has become a true metropolis, requiring a better care of its parks, particularly those in the very city centre. In the times of increased air pollution caused by city traffic, more attention should be paid to the health of the people living in the city, whose parks are best air-purifiers. Nutrients (manure) should be added to the plane trees and other dendro-plants. Tree surgery should be applied. New species should be planted in the emptied places. The existing plants should be maintained by hoeing, weeding and regular lawn mowing.
Zagreb parks are great assets of the city, particularly of its centre. The valuable exotic species require special attention. Once brought from other continents, these species are being increasingly endangered by the severe air pollution. The following are some of the highly endangered exotic species: Japanese apple and Lawson’s cypress on Tomislav Square, and mountain elm, red ornamental beech, hybrid beam-tree, Himalayan juniper, hop tree bushes, groups of five fingers bushes – all on Strossmayer Square.
The lines of plane trees, once 220 in number, today only 135, are the best sign of poor tending and protection of the city’s lungs.
Permanent supervision and security service are necessary for the protection of all parks.
Woody plants have a great value in the city architecture. They are the cultural and historical monuments. Zagreb parks were designed in the French style, which should be retained.
The described dendrological properties of other parks of the Zagreb Horseshoe are not supplied with recommendations for regeneration
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
42714
URI
Publication date:
28.2.2006.
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