Monumental trees and shrubs: dendrological features and survey methods.

Here are discussed some aspects of the national act on the “Development of green urban areas” and the following regulation “National list of monumental trees and principles and criteria for their inventory”. The topics addressed here are: i) monumental trees and plants, ii) ecological and chron-ological values of monumental trees and plants; iii) tree age assessment; iv) climate change and risks on monumental trees. The tree inventories set up by the law, besides some critical points, are important tools for improving knowledge and value of a significant biological and environmental resource not yet suit-ably safeguarded.