Nature expert: In Latvia we can be proud of big trees – natural monuments

In the TV24 program “EkoRAID”, the epicenter of the discussion was the big trees of Latvia. By January 1, 2024, 14,710 large trees have been registered in Latvia, according to the information published by the Nature Protection Board (DAP) on the home page of the Internet. Is this number of tall trees in Latvia unique in Europe?

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“It is difficult to compare with European countries, but it must be said that this number is not completely objective. It is clear that not all big trees are identified and registered in this natural database. I’m guessing twice that number. Big trees grow and die, but I think that in Latvia these big trees have their own cultural and natural heritage, because historically they have been protected for various reasons, not so much because of nature. Initially, those big trees had a cultural and historical significance, a symbolic significance. If they were beautiful Latvian oaks or lindens, then, of course, a lot has been described about them in Latvian folklore,” DAP General Director PI Andris Širovs told the TV24 program.

Therefore, it can be said that the number of tall trees in Latvia is “interesting” and in other countries of the European Union (EU) such enumeration of tall trees does not really take place. “For us, it has been allocated as a specially protected separate category of natural territory – these natural monuments. We call big trees natural monuments. In other EU countries, such old trees are relatively rare and not as protected as historically, I think, it has been in Latvia,” Shirov continued. “In Latvia, we can be proud of that, of course, the exception could be greenery, parks, gardens, everything else,” added the nature expert in the TV24 program “EkoRAID”, talking about big trees in Latvia.

According to the information on the DAP website, big trees are one of Latvia’s inalienable natural values, these ancient witnesses serve as a home for various rare and protected species, and are also connected with historical events, as a result of which some of them are not only natural, but also the value of cultural history. Large trees have a cultural-historical, educational and scientific function and are of great importance in the preservation of the general biological diversity.

The big tree can be perceived as an independent ecosystem and is a living space for many rare and endangered groups of mammals, birds, insects, fungi and other organisms. A tree acquires the status of a large tree by reaching one of two criteria – girth or height.

If there is a registered big tree on the property, there are several important considerations to take into account:

– a large tree and its immediate surroundings are a specially protected natural area – not only the tree itself is protected, but also the area under the crown of the tree and another 10 m strip around it. The protection and management of large trees is regulated by the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of March 16, 2010 No. 264 “General regulations for the protection and use of specially protected natural areas”;
– The responsibilities of the land owner and user are:
ensure compliance with the rules of protection and use of protected areas
report to the Nature Protection Board about existing or possible changes in natural objects (Article 24 of the Law “On Specially Protected Natural Areas”);
-Cutting down (harvesting) of the tree to be protected is allowed only in cases where it has become dangerous and there are no other options to prevent the danger (for example, cutting branches, creating supports), and written permission of the Management has been received.

Every tree is a natural treasure to be protected. The owner may cut only trees up to 12 cm in diameter in his own forest, but up to 20 cm in diameter outside the forest, including near the house.

Land owners or legal owners who want to cut down a tree (except for fruit trees) on their property and if it is located in the territory of a city or village or the tree has reached significant sizes, as well as in other individual cases mentioned in the Regulations on cutting trees outside the forest, need apply to the municipality for permission. Upon receipt of the owner’s application, the municipality inspects the tree and in cases where the tree has already reached significant volumes, the decision is coordinated with the Board, and only after receiving the Board’s opinion, the municipality can issue a tree felling permit.

Large trees registered in Latvia can be found in the OZOLS natural data system.

It is possible to apply for a new big tree in the Big Trees inventory tool of the Nature Protection Board HERE.

You can read more information about big trees on the DAP website HERE.

See more in the attached video!

You can watch the full program “EkoRAID” on TV24 on Saturday, April 27, at 9:30 a.m.!

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