Aesthetics assessment of Hyrcanian native tree plants (Case study: Sari city)

Using native plants in landscape is an issue that has been neglected in the field of landscaping. Therefore, this research took place with the aim of examining the aesthetic aspect of the native tree plants of the Hyrcanian area. Field studies were carried out on 55 native tree species in 9 paths in Sari in the studied area for one year. These studies included recording appearance and aesthetic features. Registration of aesthetic features was done by observation of trees in nature and taking picture of various organs. Scoring was done according to the aesthetic indexes and then data were analyzed by SPSS software and the use of clustering method. Eventually, native tree species of the Hyrcanian region were classified based on aesthetic indexes. In the final stage, superior species was classified according to their application; finally 23 species were introduced as suitable species for street sights, 42 species for parks, 10 species for creation of productive landscapes, 19 species for use in making hinges and walls and 7 species for the margin of rivers and wet places. Summing up the results of this research, it can be concluded that, from the aesthetic point of view, some native Hyrcanian species are highly suitable for use in urban landscapes. Therefore, compatibility research for suggested species in urban environments is recommended.