o:8929 Visual assessment of trees in the urban forest in Belgrade: a case study of the area planned for the construction of the multifunctional hall of the institute for sport and sports medicine of the Republic of Serbia en Abstract: This paper aims to evaluate the vegetation in the area proposed for the construction of the Multifunctional Hall of the Institute for Sport and Sports Medicine of the Republic of Serbia. The assessment of the existing vegetation was based on the analysis of qualitative evaluation parameters – vitality and decorativeness – of selected trees. Vitality and decorativeness were assessed on a five-point scale (1–5) using the Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) method. A total of 509 trees were recorded in the surveyed area, including 11 dead individuals. More than 30 species were identified, comprising five coniferous and twenty-four deciduous species. Conifers predominated, with Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold as the most common, while Quercus sp., Acer platanoide L., and Betula pendula Roth were the most frequent deciduous species. The average vitality and decorativeness scores, assessed on a five-point scale, were 3.10 and 3.08, respectively. The Urban Project proposed that most new facilities be constructed on existing green spaces and meadows previously used as sports fields. Less than 5% of the analysed vegetation would need to be removed in areas designated for construction. During redevelopment, all felled trees should be replaced through appropriate greening measures. Timely visual assessment of trees and green areas is essential in the planning and development of such facilities to ensure the preservation of urban forests and the continuity of green infrastructure. Keywords: VTA method, urban forests, greenery, tree vitality, tree decorativeness 1552099 10.5937/SustFor2592107M 1552100 1821-1046 2025-12-31T09:53:56.177Z 44 yes 46 Suzana Mitrović 0000-0003-1855-4418 46 Radmila Đurašinović 0000-0003-4153-8395 46 Marija Milosavljević 0000-0002-0208-5402 46 Katarina Marinković 0009-0008-8439-9931 46 Nemanja Lazarević 0009-0006-1277-2755 46 Snežana Stajić 0000-0001-9023-3542 46 Milorad Veselinović application/pdf 772475 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8929 no yes 16 70 92000001 71A07 Sustainable Forestry 92 107 116 Institut za šumarstvo 2025