On Saturday, a long-lived oak tree was cut down in the center of Vilnius, on Ceikinių street. Mayor of Vilnius Valdas Benkunskas calls it vandalism and assures that the real estate developers did not have permits to cut down the tree.
"It is angry and regrettable that the developers of the NT project in the center of Vilnius (Rinktinės NT UAB) cut down a hundred-year-old oak tree today as if out of nowhere. They did not have any permits for this, so it is nothing more than simple vandalism and a crime against the people of Vilnius. It seems that with their attack on nature and the historical heritage of the city, the real estate developers are trying to demonstrate that they are above the law and the well-being of the citizens," he wrote on his Facebook account. V. Benkunskas.
After the huge scandal, on Saturday evening, the representative of UAB "Rinktinės NT", which cut down the oak tree, finally commented.
"The plot is one meter below the street level. Due to repeated inundation of the plot of land during rains, the repair works of the rainwater engineering networks on the plot are currently being carried out. The rainwater network was still functional when the plot was purchased, but the repair works of the surrounding streets in recent years led to problems, due to which the plot on the plot became constantly flooded.
For this reason, the company decided to repair the rainwater network. According to the current legislation, trees growing on engineering networks and in their protection zone are not protected, so no permits are required for cutting them. In view of this, within the boundaries of the stormwater network repair project, it was planned to remove two trees that were obstructing the repair work and which are not protected. Contrary to what the municipality claims, the tree in question, according to arborists, is immature, its age is less than a hundred years, and the root area falls on the rainwater network and causes obvious damage to them. In addition, the removal of this tree is provided for in the current detailed plan of the plot. The company protects protected trees and has not cut any protected trees. There is a hundred-year-old oak tree on the site, which is protected according to the detailed plan, so no doubt it remains. Also, the company will grow on its own initiative before the school grows long-lived July. The company cooperates with the municipality and communities in turning the future territory into a green, open and attractive place for the public.
In general, 3 years ago, the company together with a team of architects proposed the idea of saving this tree. However, different studies by qualified arborists later showed that there is no guarantee that the tree will survive the post-construction stage. This assessment was expressed even by the arborists commissioned by the municipality itself. Therefore, unfortunately, we had to admit that not all architectural ideas are implemented in urban areas, even with the best wishes. We emphasize that we proposed such a solution as moving this tree and planting a more suitable tree in its place during the post-construction phase. The tree would have been selected by arborists and adapted to the specific location. However, such proposals were rejected by the municipality.
Other solutions were proposed, but for reasons that are still not well understood, the municipality rejected all proposals and did not seek compromises. Although the final solutions of the RE project are still being developed, the company plans to replant the vegetation with plants better adapted to the urban area in accordance with the current detailed plan. Finally, although the company does everything according to the current legislation, it still understands the human and emotional factor of certain actions. We will continue to cooperate with the municipality and communities in solving further issues of greenery.
It should be emphasized that the company was and remains open to all rational alternatives and compromises, and evaluates the situation not only from the legal or business interests, but also from the human side. The company's goal is not and has not been to abandon the plants on the plot. On the contrary, maximum efforts were, are, and will be made to preserve the protected vegetation, and after developing the territory, to enrich it with new, abundant plants adapted to the urban area. The company wholeheartedly supports Vilnius city municipalities the recent trend in the humanization of city spaces, sustainable mobility, greenery and other issues relevant to well-being", - says the comment of UAB "Rinktinės NT".
UAB "Rinktinės NT" purchased the plot on Ceikinių street back in 2016. with a valid detailed plan. A multifunctional real estate project with open spaces for city residents and guests is planned in the area.
