Populus L. trees in the urbanized environment of Donetsk

The article presents the results of studying the ecological and biological characteristics of species of the genus Populus L., native to the city of Donetsk. The viability of the most represented age group of 45–49 years in Populus boleana Lauche is estimated at 2–3 points, for Populus nigra L. – 3 points, Populus nigra var. italica Munich. – 2–3 points. Populus simonii Carrière and Populus balsamifera L. lose their viability after 40 years and are assessed as severely weakened by 3–4 points. According to the results of biomechanical studies P. boleana and P. nigra aged 45–49 years are assessed as mechanically stable species in the steppe zone to the effects of dynamic and static loads. The only species studied that has a higher bending stiffness index at the age of 45–50 years (a critical age for poplars) than under relative control conditions.