Storm destroys protected trees in Aukštaitija

A storm has destroyed or severely damaged several protected natural heritage trees in Aukštaitija, including the Pavariai lime tree and a tree in the Daniliškis lime-tree avenue, LRT reports, citing a statement from the Aukštaitija Protected Areas Directorate.

The Pavariai lime tree, one of seven protected trees in the Anykščiai Regional Park, was uprooted by strong winds on August 23. The small-leaved lime was about 23 metres tall, with a trunk circumference of 4.74 metres. Its trunk divided into six large branches, while its crown was 12 metres high and 16 metres wide.

The tree grew near Anykščiai, in a forest belonging to the Pavariai forestry district and within the Variaus hydrographic reserve. Specialists had not established its exact age, but estimated that it could have been between 150 and 250 years old.

The storm also damaged the Elmė six-trunk oak, a protected natural landscape object in Anykščiai Municipality. Strong winds split and broke one of its trunks. In August 2023, the oak lost two more trunks, one living and one dead. In fact, the tree had seven trunks at the time, as specialists had not counted the dead one.

After this year’s storm, only four green trunks and half of the broken trunk remain. The oak stands in Paelmio village, in the Elmė Landscape Reserve. It is 30 metres tall and has a trunk circumference of 7.66 metres at its base. Its trunks were evenly developed, giving the tree a very broad crown that stood out from its surroundings and resembled a bouquet.

The oak’s exact age is unknown, although specialists believe it is at least 100 years old. Local people tell a story that a wicked man who once lived where the oak now grows was struck by lightning for his sins. According to the legend, he will atone only when the oak’s last trunk dies. The directorate selected the Elmė oak for Lithuania’s 2023 Tree of the Year competition.

Strong winds also broke one tree in the Daniliškis lime-tree avenue in Krekenava Regional Park. The avenue is a state-protected botanical natural heritage object, designated for protection in 2007. It is the main feature of the former Daniliškis manor’s grounds and a highlight of the Nevėžis Middle Reaches Landscape Reserve.

The avenue is 263 metres long. Before the storm, it contained about 360 small-leaved lime trees. The Daniliškis manor had existed since the late 16th century, when its grounds included a park descending in terraces towards the river, with springs flowing from its slopes. The park also contained two wooden lions created by woodcarver Vincas Svirskis.

Many other trees and infrastructure were damaged in the directorate’s regional parks, including Biržai, Sartai and Gražutė parks. Electricity remains unavailable at the Tree Canopy Trail and the Dubingiai Radvila castle site. The directorate has urged visitors to postpone planned trips.