Dendrometers positioned in this region for the first time

The Faculty of Forestry of the University of Banja Luka successfully placed automatic dendrometers, for the first time in this area, thus taking a significant step in contemporary scientific research of the growth and vitality of forest trees.

These are very precise measuring devices which, in real time 24 hours a day, monitor the flow of water through the tree, the so-called “sap flow”, as well as micro-changes in tree diameter. Based on collected data, highly valuable information is obtained on growth dynamics, tree vitality, and ability to adapt to changes and extreme conditions of the living environment, such as droughts, illnesses, and insect infestations. 

Dendrometers, valuing about 16.800 EUR were placed in the area of the forest zone “Gradiška”, Forest Administration zone “Prnjavor”, and the Public Institution Monument Area “Donja Gradina”.

These activities were realized within the international project “Strategies of preserving field ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) in the Danube basin”, financed from the EU funds through the program INTERREG Danube.  

Placing the modern research equipment was completed in January 2026, in cooperation with partners from Mendel University of Brno, Czech Republic, Professor Jan Svetlik, PhD, and Lucia Petrovichova. Participants on behalf of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Banja Luka were professors Branislav Cvjetković, PhD, Vojislav Dukić, PhD, Danijela Petrović, PhD, and Senior Assistant Srđan Bilić, MA, with support from colleagues from JPŠ “Šume Republike Srpske” a.d. Sokolac, ŠG “Gradiška”, ŠU “Prnjavor”, and “SP “Donja Gradina”. 

By placing the dendrometers, the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Banja Luka additionally strengthened its position of a relevant scientific research institution, and became a part of the international network of institutions of the Danube basin that deal with researching the impact of ecology factors on the growth of forest trees, contributing to the preservation of forest ecosystems in the development of sustainable forestry.