THE PAST AND THE PRESENT OF THE ARBORETUM OF V. N. SUKACHEV INSTITUTE OF FOREST SIBERIAN BRANCH OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Materials are presented on the history of formation and the current state of the arboretum of V. N. Sukachev Institute of Forest Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, established in 1977 with the aim of testing woody plants from various botanical and geographical areas in the conditions of the city of Krasnoyarsk, which will subsequently be a source of seeds and planting material for introduction into green building in the territory of the settlements of Krasnoyarsk Krai. During almost half a century of the existence of the arboretum, about 450 species of woody plants were tested for gradual acclimatization. Currently, 203 winter-hardy species of trees and shrubs grow on its territory (4.17 ha). This collection is the basis for diverse bioecological studies, in which specialists from most laboratories of the Institute of Forest are involved. Observations are made on the seasonal growth, development, physiological and phenological characteristics of woody plants. The reproductive processes and possibilities of seed and vegetative propagation of introduced plants are being studied. The karyological features and microclonal propagation of conifers are studied. The arboretum is a test site for studies of damage to introduced plants by insects and fungal phytopathogens. Modern problems of arboretum conservation associated with the intention to build a multi-storey residential building on its territory are characterized, in which 628 specimens of woody plants (36.8 % of the total number) will be cut down, and 165 specimens will suffer indirectly, being within the area that falls under development. The efforts made in this regard by the authorities and the public to protect the arboretum, to preserve this unique object for future generations of scientists and all residents of the city of Krasnoyarsk are reflected.