Corresponding author: Ákos Malatinszky (
Academic editor: Josef Simmel
Ancient trees are important habitats, confer vital ecological roles and function as cultural legacies. Old trees with large girth are keystone structures in various ecosystems. We aim to present which species amongst the greatest Hungarian trees (and some other phanerophyte plants) are damaged by polypores (the most important agents of wood decay),
Takács M, Szénási Á, Malatinszky Á (2020) Polypores,
Ancient trees have large girth and astonishing ecological value. The age when a tree can be considered ancient is species specific (
One of the reasons why we are so concerned about the ancient trees in Hungary is that we believe that they are of great importance when considering nature values and qualities in forests, agricultural landscapes, as well as cultural heritage and landscape features. This is why it is inevitable that we review their general data (girth, perimeter, height etc.), ethnographical and historical relations, health status and endangering factors to plan their active conservation. In Hungary, the first calls for the protection of ancient, giant trees date back to the early 20th century (e.g.
There are thousands of ancient trees in Hungary and they need special care and protection. However, most of them are situated in hidden areas, far from parks and gardens, thus, without any special attention being given to their health state, maintenance or care. Our aim is to present which specimens and species amongst the greatest Hungarian trees (and other phanerophyte plants, such as black elder and hawthorn species) are damaged by well-known pests and diseases, such as polypores,
Polypores are a group of basidiomycetes fungi that form fruiting bodies with pores or tubes on the underside. They inhabit tree trunks or branches consuming the wood and, thus, they are the most important agents of wood decay. Even though saproxylic fungi act as keystone species in forest ecosystems (
Ivies (
We aimed to select those types of damage that can easily be recognised, in order to use them in citizen science activities in the future for the large trees that now remain unattended. This is why we focused on polypores,
There is only one thorough online database that lists the greatest trees in Hungary, providing species, settlement, GPS coordinates, girth and year of its measurement (Pósfai Gy 2019). Our original aim was to observe every specimen listed in this database. Their total number was 700 in 2008, when we started our study. Meanwhile, this number now exceeds 3500 for 2020 and is still growing. This is why we present actual data of altogether 2000 trees that were listed in this database during our measurements between 2008 and 2017. For each specimen, we measured girth (at 1.3 m height), smallest trunk diameter (at 1.3 m height), smallest crown diameter and height, using a measuring tape, Waldmeister forestry caliper and Haglöf clinometer. Due to the high number of observed specimens, there were no repetitions.
We described the health status on a 5-points scale (1 = dead, 2 = bad condition, 3 = fair condition, 4 = good condition, 5 = excellent condition), based on the status of the crown, diseases, breaks, hollows and maintenance. For example, if only a decayed trunk has remained without branches and bark, then this value is 1. If there are pests or other organisms that cause damage or there is a hollow instead of the crown, but the tree is still able to grow new shoots (ie. is still vital), then this value is 3. While in case of no pests or other organisms that would cause damage and healthy bark and crown without broken branches, this value is 5. Accessibility was expressed by considering the quality (usability) of roads leading to each specimen, presence or absence of informative signs, distance from settlements or roads etc. (1 = very difficult, 2 = poor, 3 = medium, 4 = good, 5 = excellent). We did not aim to measure the age of the trees (due to technical difficulties, risk of damage etc.).
The rates of polypores,
Determination of each damage category.
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1 = not infected | No conks on trunk, branches, visible roots |
2 = sparsely infected | One active or few dead conks |
3 = slightly infected | Less than 5 conks |
4 = moderately infected | 5 to 10, small conks |
5 = acutely infected | More than 10 healthy conks |
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1 = not infected | No tumour on trunk, branches, visible roots |
2 = sparsely infected | One tumour, with less than 20 cm diameter |
3 = slightly infected | One tumour, with 20 to 40 cm diameter |
4 = moderately infected | Several small tumours (galls) |
5 = acutely infected | Totally spread on the tree |
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1 = not damaged | No shoots on trunk, branches, visible roots |
2 = sparsely damaged | Few young shoots, up to 2 m height on the tree |
3 = slightly damaged | Few young shoots, up to 4 m height on the tree |
4 = moderately damaged | Young or thin shoots appear even on branches and totally cover the trunk |
5 = acutely damaged | Total cover |
To measure the health status of each tree, we used a Fakopp Arborsonic 3D Acoustic Tomograph that estimates the velocity at which sound is conducted through the tree. Acoustic tomography has been used for
We studied 2000 tree specimens in 531 Hungarian settlements (Fig.
The situation of the observed settlements on the map of Hungary. A small dot indicates one settlement, a medium dot two or three settlements, while large dots refer to at least five settlements situated close to each other.
List of the observed species and their main data. N = native, A = adventive [those taxa whose native nature is still under dispute in Hungary (
Species | N/A | Min. girth (cm) | Number in the database of Pósfai | Number of measured trees S/F | Polypore |
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Ivy | Comb. | Measured/ damaged (%) | |||||
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S | F | S | F | S | F | S | F | |||||||
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A | 300 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 80 | ||||||
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A | 300 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 100 | ||||||||
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A | 300 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 100 | ||||||||
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N | 300 | 68 | 7 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 46.3 | ||||
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A | 300 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 44.4 | |||||
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N | 300 | 37 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 40 | ||||||
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N | 300 | 35 | 2 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 29.4 | ||||||
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A | 300 | 43 | 5 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18.5 | ||||
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A | 400 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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A | 400 | 23 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 21.4 | ||||||
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A | 300 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 12.5 | |||||||
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N | 300 | 71 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 41.2 | ||||||
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N | 200 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 28.6 | ||||||||
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A | 300 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 28.6 | ||||||||
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N | 300 | 171 | 2 | 74 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 26.3 | ||||
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A | 500 | 96 | 17 | 36 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 18.9 | |||||
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A | 200 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 50 | |||||||
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A | 500 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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A | 400 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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A | 300 | 55 | 7 | 24 | 1 | 7 | 25.8 | ||||||
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A | 300 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 12.5 | |||||||
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N | 100 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
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N | 400 | 529 | 3 | 397 | 66 | 8 | 26 | 4 | 26 | ||||
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N | 400 | 42 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 38.5 | ||||||
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N | 400 | 62 | 6 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 27 | ||||
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A | 400 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 70 | |||||
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A | 300 | 6 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||
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A | 300 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 100 | ||||||||
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N | 50 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
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A | 300 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 14.3 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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A | 300 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||
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A | 400 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 28.6 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 100 | |||||||
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A | 200 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 100 | ||||||||
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A | 400 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 8.3 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 50 | ||||||
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A | 300 | 46 | 2 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 9.1 | ||||||
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A | 300 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 40 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 33.3 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 6 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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A | 600 | 69 | 11 | 47 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 32.8 | |||
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N | 600 | 42 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 33.3 | ||||||
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N | 600 | 33 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 41.7 | |||||||
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N | 600 | 395 | 25 | 174 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 91 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 61.8 | |
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N | 300 | 32 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 35.7 | |||||
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A | 300 | 60 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 20 | |||||||
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A | 600 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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N | 300 | 34 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 9.1 | |||||||
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N | 500 | 56 | 6 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 24.1 | ||||
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A | 400 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 100 | ||||||||
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N | 500 | 26 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 45.5 | ||||||
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N | 400 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
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N | 500 | 573 | 95 | 284 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 22 | 12 | 67 | 2 | 13 | 34.8 |
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A | 400 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 66.7 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 58 | 5 | 14 | 0 | ||||||||
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N | 600 | 179 | 8 | 70 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 14.1 | ||||
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N | 200 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
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N | 100 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
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A | 500 | 21 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 35.7 | |||||
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A | 400 | 28 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 57.1 | ||||||
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A | 200 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 20 | |||||||
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N | 200 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 28.6 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 41 | 1 | 23 | 9 | 37.5 | |||||||
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A | 200 | 36 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 15.4 | |||||||
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A | 300 | 7 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||
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N | 400 | 73 | 19 | 40 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 27.1 | ||||
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N | 400 | 78 | 10 | 45 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 29.1 | ||||
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A | 400 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 35.7 | ||||||
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N | 400 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 50 | ||||||||
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N | 400 | 41 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 30.8 | ||||||
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N | 400 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50 | |||||||
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– | – |
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Almost all (98%) of those old trees that are infected only by polypores (i.e. without other damage) are surrounded by other trees in a park or a forest (Table
A total of 170 (91.4%) of those old trees that are infected only by
We found ivy on 33 solitary trees, meaning 10.7%, compared to 275 specimens within stands. Mostly oaks were damaged (101, meaning 28.5%) and ivy appeared on 23.6% of the measured oaks. The highest rate, however, was seen in case of the maple genus, being 31 out of 114 measured maple trees (27.2%) (combined case included for both genera). A total of 101 non-native trees were affected, mostly (in 12 cases) the Japanese pagoda tree (
Two or three types of damage were documented on 53 old trees. They belong to the worst health category, most of them having almost died. A total of 84.9% (i.e. 45 trees) stand in a group or forest, while only 8 solitary trees are affected by combined infections (Table
In the following text, we present one example per damage category from our database.
• species: common oak (
• locality: Battonya-Tompapuszta (Békés County, SE Hungary)
• habitat: grassland, abandoned farmyard
• girth: 574 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 18 m
Branches properly cut in the past; however, irregular fractures are seen lately. The area has been abandoned and unattended for several years. No visible rot, fungi, moss,
Not infected
• species: beech (
• locality: Gadány (Somogy County, SW Hungary)
• habitat: woody area, along a stream
• girth: 552 cm
• trunk diameter: 2.5 m
• crown diameter: 50 m
• height: 30 m
Not managed woody area. Sparse polypore infection: one conk of tinder fungus (
Sparsely infected
• species: Norway maple (
• locality: Hencse (Somogy County, SW Hungary)
• habitat: previously Palace Park, currently Golf Club
• girth: 497 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 17 m
Its locality can be visited with permission. Old yews (
Slightly infected
• species: silver fir (
• locality: Fehérvárcsurgó (Fejér County, Central Hungary)
• habitat: Palace Park
• girth: 429 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 20 m
• height: 22 m
Several huge veteran trees in the Palace Park. This specimen is probably the oldest silver fir in Hungary (next to the pebble road leading through the park). Slight ivy infection. More than five tiny polypore conks, some of them several years old with dry conk (Fig.
Moderately infected
• species: beech (
• locality: Becsehely (Zala County, W Hungary)
• habitat: young beech forest, with some old beech trees
• girth: 487 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 27 m
Extended beech forests in the territory, with several old beech and hornbeam specimens on a plot of relatively-young trees. More than ten polypore conks on the trunk, moreover, the infection has appeared even on the branches. The area is not managed, with significant blackberry (
Polypore infection could be detected in 65 out of the observed 531 settlements, 123 per 2000 trees. This means 12.24% of the studied areas and 6.15% of the measured trees (Fig.
Acutely infected
Settlements that host large trees infected by polypores (Hungary). A small dot indicates one settlement, a medium dot two or three settlements, while large dots refer to at least five settlements situated close to each other.
• species: sweet chestnut (
• locality: Bak (Zala County, W Hungary)
• habitat: between wine cellars, private area
• girth: 606 cm
• trunk diameter: 2 m
• crown diameter: 20 m
• height: 20 m
Walnut and chestnut trees were commonly planted around wine yards and cellars during the past centuries. According to its information board, this tree is 400 years old, under nature protection. No
Not infected
• species: common oak (
• locality: Káld (Vas County, W Hungary)
• habitat: young Scots Pine forest, clearing
• girth: 539 cm
• trunk diameter: 2 m
• crown diameter: 40 m
• height: 22 m
Enormous oak tree in a young Scots Pine stand. A tumour-like gall with 25 cm diameter makes its unique feature, with no other tumours. High coverage of mosses and ants on the tree, dense blackberry around (Fig.
Sparsely infected
• species: London plane (
• locality: Pölöske (Zala County, W Hungary)
• habitat: backyard of a family house
• girth: 758 cm
• trunk diameter: 3 m
• crown diameter: 40 m
• height: 28 m
Private area at the end of Dózsa György Street in Pölöske village, officially nature protected, can be visited with permission. Two huge London planes, one is slightly infected with ivy and a tumour-like gall with 40 cm diameter at the junction between the root and the shoot (Fig.
Slightly infected
• species: common oak (
• locality: Nagyrécse (Zala County, W Hungary)
• habitat: young oak forest
• girth: 500 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 35 m
• height: 23 m
Numerous old oaks in a young stand. No tumours on the trunk, but more than ten galls in the crown, none of them exceeding 10 cm in diameter. Several galls had fallen on the ground (Fig.
Moderately infected
• species: black poplar (
• locality: Tiszacsege (Hajdú-Bihar County, E Hungary)
• habitat: ferry station, holiday houses
• girth: 826 cm
• trunk diameter: 3 m
• crown diameter: 10 m
• height: 11 m
Huge, but highly infected poplar. Its original bark is missing, the whole trunk is covered by tumours, branches are cut back every year due to the galls since its crown is not safe from the infection. Its notable trunk diameter is a consequence of its disease (Fig.
Acutely infected
Settlements that host large trees infected by
• species: black locust (
• locality: Bábolna (Komárom-Esztergom County, NW Hungary)
• habitat: Bábolna National Stud area
• girth: 649 cm
• trunk diameter: 2.5 m
• crown diameter: 25 m
• height: 19 m
Hungary’s oldest black locust specimen, planted in 1710. Unfavourable health state, but not damaged by ivy or other damage. Branches fixed to the trunk with a belt, trunk filled artificially (Fig.
Not damaged
• species: Hungarian oak (
• locality: Deszk (Csongrád County, SE Hungary)
• habitat: hospital park
• girth: 561 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 18 m
Thin ivy sprouts (runners), up to 1.5 m height, with tiny leaves. They are currently not causing any serious injury, but now is the time for protection, as later interventions may not be effective (Fig.
Sparsely damaged
• species: large-leaved linden (
• locality: Pápa (Veszprém County, W Hungary)
• habitat: Castle Park
• girth: 420 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 23 m
The central part of the Castle Park is characterised by an old linden tree. Its trunk is densely covered by ivy up to 3 m height. Ivy leaves are still small and fresh and do not overgrow the foliage; thus, its elimination is still possible (Fig.
Slightly damaged
• species: common oak (
• locality: Zsennye (Vas County, W Hungary)
• habitat: Palace Park
• girth: 535 cm
• trunk diameter: 2 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 25 m
Numerous notable oaks rule the (not properly managed) park of the Bezerédj Palace in Zsennye, all of them damaged by ivy, even in their foliage. Leaves are great and sprouts form constant foliage, although not reaching the tips. Protection would be very complicated at this stage (Fig.
Moderately damaged
• species: common oak (
• locality: Szőcsénypuszta (Somogy County, SW Hungary)
• habitat: lumberyard
• girth: 573 cm
• trunk diameter: 2 m
• crown diameter: 30 m
• height: 18 m
Hard to see and measure due to enormous ivy mass and the tree has grown on to the fence. The trunk is totally hidden by ivy sprouts and leaves, which reach the tips. Protection is impossible at this stage (Fig.
A total of 157 of the observed 531 settlements and 353 of the measured 2000 trees showed ivy damage, meaning 29.57% and 17.65%, respectively (Fig.
Acutely damaged
Settlements that host large trees damaged by ivy (Hungary). A small dot indicates one settlement, while larger dots refer to more settlements situated close to each other.
Besides those mentioned above, we also noticed some other types of damage. Most of them are general, such as mistletoe species (
A total of 51.22% of the observed 272 settlements host ancient trees that are damaged by one or some of the above listed damage-causing organisms. A total of 31.70% of the measured trees (i.e. 634 trees) are damaged by one or combined organisms (Fig.
Settlements that host large trees suffered by other types of damage (Hungary). A small dot indicates one settlement, while larger dots refer to more settlements situated close to each other.
We measured the health status of 7 trees with a Fakopp Arborsonic 3D Acoustic Tomograph in 2012, at different layers and heights (Table
We present one example per decay status category from our database.
Decay status of trees measured with a tomograph.
Locality | Species | Girth (CM) | Number of layers | Decay status per layers | Status/ Average (%) |
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Csokonyavisonta | (%) | 400 | 2 | 1: 2; 2: 30 | 16 (slight) |
Csokonyavisonta |
|
322 | 2 | 1: 41; 2: 39 | 40 (medium) |
Gödöllő |
|
317 | 5 | 1: 57; 2: 41; 3: 25; 4: 26; 5: 42 | 38.2 (medium) |
Gyöngyös |
|
426 | 2 | 1: 69; 2: 70 | 69.5 (strong) |
Kaposvár-Kaposfüred |
|
321 | 2 | 1: 54; 2: 53 | 53.5 (strong) |
Martonvásár |
|
444 | 2 | 1:17; 2: 2 | 9.5 (slight) |
Túristvándi |
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329 | 2 | 1: 72; 2: 76 | 74 (strong) |
• species: black walnut (
• locality: Martonvásár (Fejer County, C Hungary)
• habitat: little island in the middle of the castle park
• girth: 444 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 25 m
• height: 25 m
Sensors were placed at 30 and 130 cm height (i.e. two layers). Measured decay: 17 and 2%, respectively. The average decay level of this black walnut is 9.5%, i.e. very low (Fig.
Three-dimensional computer model of internal tree density of the black walnut in Martonvásár, Hungary (at two different heights).
• species: wild pear (
• locality: Gödöllő (Pest County, C Hungary)
• habitat: Botanical Garden
• girth: 317 cm
• trunk diameter: 1 m
• crown diameter: 15 m
• height: 12 m
Sensors were placed at 5 heights: 30, 70, 110, 150 and 190 cm. Measured decay at the different layers: 57, 41, 25, 26 and 42%. The average decay level of this wild pear is 38.2%, i.e. medium level (Fig.
Three-dimensional computer model of internal tree density of the old wild pear in Gödöllő, Hungary (left: layer at 30 cm height; right: 3D-image at 5 different heights).
• species: Turkish hazel (
• locality: Gyöngyös (Heves County, N Hungary)
• habitat: Castle Park
• girth: 426 cm
• trunk diameter: 1.5 m
• crown diameter: 20 m
• height: 13 m
Sensors were placed at 35 and 70 cm height (i.e. two layers). Measured decay: 69 and 70%, respectively. The average decay level of this Turkish hazel is 69.5%, i.e. considerably high (Fig.
Three-dimensional computer model of internal tree density of the Turkish hazel in Gyöngyös, Hungary (at two different heights).
The number of veteran trees in the online database of Pósfai (Pósfai Gy 2019) is constantly growing (from 700 in 2008 onto 3,500 in 2020) and this reflects the popularity of the large trees, emerging citizen science activities and is a consequence of our digital word as well. From this perspective, we should mention the European Tree of the Year competition as well. This programme started in 2002 and Hungarian trees have been involved since 2010. The emotional value, i.e., the role of the tree in the everyday life of the local community plays an essential role in this competition. Most of the Hungarian winners are sizable trees and thus, we have measured them as well.
Based on our results, we state that one third of the observed ancient trees (648 out of 2,000) suffer from polypores,
Polypores were detected on altogether 16 species. The well-known
Amongst the observed 72 tree species, beech was the most infected by polypores. Seventy out of 400 (17.5%) measured beech trees were damaged by polypores and 56.7% of all documented damage affected the beech species. Our map suggests that the damage caused by polypores is not more remarkable than other pests and diseases. However, when we add the other fungal species (honey fungus, pear-shaped puffball etc.), then this taxonomic group (i.e. fungi tribes) significantly affect the state of the Hungarian ancient trees. Protection against polypores is not successful in Hungary (as in other countries). Literature sources on the description of polypores in Hungary (
Altogether, 217 trees were infected by
Ivy was found on 353 trees, 101 of them are oaks (28.5%). Thirty one of the 114 observed maples were damaged by ivy (27.2%). From a nature conservation aspect, it is harder to evaluate ivy as absolutely negative (such as in case of polypores or
The measured diseases and damage-causing organisms usually attack those trees that are surrounded by other trees, ensuring a good chance for pest reproduction. Almost no solitary trees were damaged amongst the ornamental non-native species, since their old specimens usually appear in parks and arboretums, surrounded by other trees. However, it is obvious, even in case of the oaks, maples and wild pear (i.e. those species that usually stand as solitary), that the presented damage mostly appears in denser stands.
We measured 29 native and 43 non-native tree species. A total of 1550 out of 2000 measured specimens are native. All the three damage types were mostly documented on native trees, but the thorough rate of damaged trees is about the same in case of native and adventive species. A total of 33.5% of the native specimens (519 out of 1550) and 28.7% of the adventives (129 trees out of 450) are damaged by any (or more than one) of the mentioned infections or ivy. However, we have to add that, in case of ivy (and without combined infection), 101 out of 308 trees are non-native. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that ivy appears mostly in arboretums, castle and mansion parks and town parks, where the highest rate of non-native, ornamental trees are planted. Preventive measures are well-known in the case of polypores and ivy. To protect old trees against polypores, we should avoid scars on the bark. When a forested plot is harvested, a few monumental trees are usually left (e.g. in order to renew the forest with their acorns). These specimens face a lot more pests and altered environmental conditions (e.g. stagnating water in the scars and hollows serves the appearance of pests). Ivy damage can be avoided by eliminating its young sprouts and shoots from the trunk. Unfortunately, ivy is usually realised only in a later stage, when it starts to overgrow the foliage. Tree protection is almost impossible at this stage. In case of
In order to measure the health status, we could use the Fakopp Arborsonic 3D Acoustic Tomograph only for a couple of trees due to its weight (10 kg including laptop) and time-consuming assemblage (e.g. placing its sensors on the tree). Its main defect is that it cannot be used for trees above 450–500 cm girth (cables are too short) and thus, we could not measure the decay status of the observed oaks, willows, poplars and sycamores. Thus, we state that the Fakopp 3D Tomograph is suitable for measuring the health status of the old trees as well, but only in case of those species that do not exceed 500 cm girth, such as wild pear, maples and hornbeam.
It can be stated that the old trees are usually not covered by nature protection areas in Hungary, since most of them stand in isolated, hardly reachable places or in the middle of pastures and meadows, sometimes croplands. Lack of protection is mainly the result of economic factors, as their management, pest protection etc. is not economically viable for the owners, foresters or park gardeners; other reasons may lie in the lack of adequate knowledge or missing responsibilities. There is no case that one tree specimen is protected at national level, although there is an alley that is protected via IUCN IV category (nature conservation area) on its own. However, some local municipalities protect one or more concrete ancient trees in their own municipal decrees, based on the right given to them by the Hungarian Nature Conservation Act, referring to IUCN category III (natural monument). Some examples for local-level protection are the oaks in Kétújfalu, the Turkish hazel in Pécs, the giant lime tree in Szőkedencs, the ‘1000-year-old oak’ in Zsennye or the sweet chestnuts in Surd (
We recommend preserving the state of the current trees, even if it is hard to improve. One should improve their protection against the main pests with preventative measures and, if possible, during the first and second damage level. In case of more severe damage, there is practically no solution. In case of
Protection against the presented pests and diseases is very complicated and, in practice, almost impossible. The Hungarian practice shows that these types of damage remain without any management or healing due to lack of time, financial background or energy, but mostly because the only effective solution would be prevention.
While the age of trees is generally not a precondition to being emotionally important for the local community, many of the trees documented are in fact amongst the country’s oldest. We, therefore, concluded that old-growth assets have a considerable intrinsic worth that can and should be valued.
Only a very small proportion of the greatest Hungarian trees are covered by local nature protection and even some of the protected ones are close to death. The main causes of this negative phenomenon are the lack of caring or management, the presented pests and diseases or environmental factors, such as storm, wind or frost damage.
We are grateful for all the verbal information provided by György Pósfai, founder of the database on the greatest trees of Hungary and the numerous majors, nature conservation guards, as well as the local people for their stories, attached to each ancient tree. The device for acoustic tomography was provided by the Fakopp Bt.