The tree in Sibirska Street (IV Proleterska Street) in Kolašin, which, according to citizens, is one of the oldest in the city center, cannot be saved.
This is stated in the report of Dr. Jelena Lazarevic, phytopathologist of the Forestry Center of the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Montenegro.
At the request of the Secretariat for Environmental Protection, and after the intention of the competent municipal commission to remove the tree, which caused reactions from the civil sector, Dr. Lazarević conducted a visual inspection of the tree, and a laboratory analysis was also performed.
She stated that she potentially determined the tree species as Tilia platyphyllos Scop. - early, large-leaved linden, but explained that, given that the tree had not yet leafed out, this determination should be taken with a grain of salt.
"The linden tree was completely damaged due to the action of rotting fungi, primarily those causing white rot. The rot is in an advanced stage, the entire core of the tree has been destroyed. The bark with white rot is also missing on about two-thirds of the tree's circumference, at a height of over 1,9 meters. In fact, a thin ring of white rot with bark remains on about a third of the previous circumference of the tree, about seven to eight centimeters thick, on the western side of the tree. The presence of white rot is evident, and based on the external manifestations (symptoms), it can be concluded that there is a significant presence of fungi from the genus Ganoderma. It is possible that other types of fungi were also involved in the process of rotting and decay," the report states.
Due to the degree of damage, she explains, the tree has "extremely poor mechanical properties and is not stable in relation to weather conditions", and poses a risk to users of public areas and material assets due to the possibility of falling. Therefore, its removal from the public area has been recommended.
The tree on Sibirska Street is considered by many Kolašin residents to be one of the oldest in Kolašin and, according to some local chroniclers, part of the first urban tree line in the city. It was allegedly planted in 1894. However, Lazarević could only determine the age of the tree based on the surrounding tree line, which was planted about 70 years ago, and the assumed dimensions of the now damaged trunk.
She also believes that "stabilizing a tree that is so damaged is not purposeful." She also reminds us that in urban areas, the lifespan of trees is shorter, because they are exposed to numerous pressures and negative environmental impacts.
"Without going into the causes of this current state, it is not appropriate to leave the tree on a public green space. The residents of Kolašin (NGO sector) state an emotional attachment and need to preserve this tree, considering it to be particularly old and the oldest in the city. To possibly preserve the tree, it is necessary to significantly reduce the crown by pruning and mechanically stabilize the trunk. This still does not ensure or guarantee success, nor safety, even during work on the tree. Pruning such trees and other work on them are high-risk jobs, and should be performed exclusively by professional workers with experience in such jobs and appropriate machinery," the phytopathologist wrote.
He adds that “the aesthetic value of such a tree is quite questionable, and that one should not expect the tree to be able to compartmentalize its 'missing' parts.” He also states that the principle in forming a tree line is to use one to two species, and recommends replacing them with the same species.
According to her, the tree line on Ulica IV Proleterske is in poor health and its reconstruction should be considered. This, she notes, is also the case with other tree lines in the inner city area.
She explains that the reconstruction and formation of new tree lines in urban areas are among the most demanding and challenging tasks in the field of landscape horticulture.
Therefore, she proposed to the Commission for the Preservation and Improvement of Urban Green Areas that, as a first step, form a cadastre of urban greenery (for the inner city zone), in order to review the potential and all problems of greenery, and to plan future activities, needs and finances for that purpose more realistically and in phases.
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