Abstract
This study aims to assess the influence of maintenance regime on tree growth in the planting sites of city parks. By using a numerical model, we compared the soil properties and tree growth rate spanning a period of 100 years. Site preparation and maintenance factors (pruning, litter removal and trampling) were identified as factors that influence tree growth, and decided 3 levels on 4 factors, simulated 34 = 81 cases of planting sites. The results were as follows: (1) By using a long time simulation, it was determined that tree growth rate is influenced by a combination of site preparation and maintenance factors. (2) Site preparation had the most dominant influence on tree growth during the first 30 years after the parks opened; however, gradually the influence of maintenance factors on tree growth increased from 30 years after the parks opened, 60~100 years after the parks opened, the maintenance factors had about as much influence as site preparation on tree growth. (3) Of the 4 factors, site preparation had the highest degrees of influence on tree growth, which was followed by pruning and trampling during the first 10 years and litter removal 30 years after the parks opened.
