Landscape Fellings as an Element in the Formation of Forest Park Ecosystems in Vinnytsia

Urban forest-park ecosystems are exposed to sustained recreational pressure, soil compaction, mechanical damage, pollution, altered microclimatic conditions, and competition within tree groups. These factors can reduce stand vitality and weaken ecological, recreational, protective, and aesthetic functions, thereby increasing the need for carefully differentiated management. The purpose of this study was to assess the initial structural and sanitary changes associated with selective landscape felling in a forest-park stand in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, and to determine whether the intervention preserved the principal features of the stand. Field investigations were conducted from spring to autumn 2025. Sixteen trees were inventoried before treatment; the principal species were European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Landscape felling was performed in April 2025, and a repeated visual assessment was completed approximately six months later. Tree selection considered species, vitality, sanitary condition, stem and crown quality, visible damage, decorative value, competitive position, and the role of each tree as an accent, accompanying, background, or undesirable element of the landscape composition. Four of the 16 inventoried trees were removed, corresponding to a numerical felling intensity of 25.0%, whereas 12 trees (75.0%) were retained. Complete sanitary-condition records were available for 15 trees: 10 individuals (66.7%) were classified as healthy, three (20.0%) as weakened, and two (13.3%) as diseased. One tree lacked a complete sanitary record and was excluded from the calculation of category proportions. The post-treatment survey documented local opening around the retained trees and reduced crowding without loss of the general forest-park character. The intervention was therefore interpreted as moderate and selective rather than intensive. Because the exact plot area and complete repeated measurements of DBH, height, crown closure, crown dimensions, inter-tree distance, and light conditions were unavailable, stand density per hectare and statistical significance of structural changes were not calculated. Photographs were used only as qualitative supporting evidence. The results demonstrate the practical value of combining sanitary, biological, decorative, and spatial criteria when planning landscape fellings in urban forest parks. The differentiated approach made it possible to retain most trees while removing individuals whose condition or position reduced the quality of the stand. The findings should be regarded as an initial site-specific assessment rather than evidence of long-term ecological improvement. Further monitoring should be based on permanent sample plots of known area and repeated tree-level measurements of diameter, height, crown parameters, spacing, regeneration, sanitary condition, species composition, and microclimate. Such observations would clarify whether the recorded spatial changes persist and contribute to measurable improvements in tree vitality, biodiversity, recreational quality, and ecological stability.