Condition of urban forestry in two districts of Americana/SP, Brazil

The situation of urban forestry in great cities is very poor due to the lack of an adequate planning. We aimed at evaluating the situation of urban forestry in two districts of Americana, SP, Brazil and developing a database for a master plan of urban forestry. It was found a total of 2,551 trees belonging to 76 species, being the majority exotic species, with the highest frequencies of Murraya paniculata (Rutaceae: jasmine) with 18.42%, Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae: privet) with 16.50% and Licania tomentosa (Crhysobalanaceae: oiti) with 12,47%, and still 63 species with frequencies not higher than 1%. Drastic pruning in “V” or “L” at the jasmine trees was not frequent; however, the rates of conducting pruning and shaping pruning were remarkable. The majority of prunings were motivated by the presence of electric wires, and privet, canelinha and sete-copas showed the highest pruning rates. Privet, followed by Caesalpinia pluviosa D.C.and Terminalia catappa L. showed roots affecting urban structures, as well as the highest rates of free scarce zone. Jasmine is being substituted by these species, emphasizing popular and governmental preferences, which is concerning many experts because shrubs do not offer the same benefits as trees.