This study investigated how historical land-use legacy in Busan Citizens Park led to soil disturbances that manifest as current spatial heterogeneities in soil conditions, and how these variations correlate with tree vitality. By analyzing a time series of aerial photographs from 1950 to 2014, the site was categorized into disturbed and undisturbed areas. Soil physicochemical properties and tree vitality were quantitatively assessed at 43 sampling points characterized by poor tree growth. All soil variables were standardized using z-scores, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to elucidate the multidimensional relationships between soil indices and tree health.The results revealed that the proportion of disturbed areas escalated from 38.5% in 1950 to 84.2% in 2004, followed by a nominal decrease to 27.6% in 2014; however, persistent disturbance signatures remained concentrated near major infrastructure, including facilities and pedestrian paths. Soil texture exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) showed wide fluctuations, indicating highly inconsistent drainage functions across the park. Furthermore, compacted zones characterized by reduced porosity and increased soil hardness were observed alongside chemically degraded conditions, such as slight alkalinity and low levels of organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus. These combined physical and chemical constraints appeared to severely restrict root-zone functionality.The mean tree vitality score was 15.2 points (within a 6-25 range), and annual ring growth during the 2014-2024 period was markedly lower than in the preceding decade. The PCA indicated that tree vitality was most strongly associated with integrated soil performance, specifically soil aeration and the critical balance between water and air. In conclusion, the accumulation of disturbances from land-use history has exacerbated spatial variations in soil function, leading to non-uniform tree vitality. Effective site management should prioritize identifying zones with impaired soil performance, focusing on alleviating subsoil compaction, restoring pore continuity, and enhancing fertility through organic matter amendments.