Vilnius street trees dying after roadworks as experts blame reckless urban planning

Dozens of trees along Vilnius streets have withered and died following recent road reconstruction works, turning parts of the Lithuanian capital into what residents describe as a “tree graveyard,” LRT.lt reports. Arborists warn the losses stem from systemic failures in urban planning that prioritise infrastructure over green spaces.

Photos shared on social media show rows of leafless, skeletal trees lining newly repaved streets such as Gėlių, Mindaugo, Basanavičiaus, and the intersection of Vivulskio and Algirdo. The stark contrast between surviving trees and those that perished after construction has sparked outrage among residents, who note the city once promoted itself as a leader in urban greening.

Sigitas Algis Davenis, head of the Lithuanian Arboriculture Centre, called the die-off a consequence of “one-sided urbanisation” that ignores the biological needs of trees. “City expansion is happening at a breakneck pace, and plants can’t adapt fast enough to survive urban conditions,” he told LRT.lt. “Grey infrastructure always comes first—green infrastructure is an afterthought.”

Davenis criticised current practices where utility lines and pipes are laid directly through root systems, and trees are planted in exhausted, nutrient-poor soil. “The city’s very existence depletes the soil. We plant trees in compacted, lifeless ground and then expect them to thrive,” he said. Even minor works like paving sidewalks damage roots, he added, while budget constraints often prevent hiring specialists who could minimise harm.

Compounding the stress are air pollution, climate change, and winter road salting—factors Davenis said trees “were never evolved to endure.” He acknowledged that balancing construction with tree preservation is complex but possible, citing innovative techniques that protect root zones. “The problem is that city planners either don’t know about these solutions or the budget won’t allow for them,” he said.

The Vilnius municipality has not responded to specific allegations but previously stated that efforts to save the trees during construction “proved ineffective.” Repeat incidents of tree deaths after roadworks suggest the issue is longstanding, with critics arguing the city lacks a cohesive strategy to integrate green and grey infrastructure.