What landowners should do if a storm breaks or uproots a protected old tree

Latvia's Nature Conservation Agency (DAP) has explained how landowners should act if a nationally protected old tree, known as a dižkoks, on their property is broken, split or uprooted by a storm.

According to the agency, landowners are obligated to report any such damage to the tree to the DAP. However, the subsequent course of action is not the same in every case — it depends on whether the damaged tree poses an immediate danger, for instance to people's safety, traffic or other property.

Duty to report

The DAP stresses that any damage to a protected old tree, regardless of its extent, must be reported to the agency. This allows officials to assess the situation and determine the tree's future status.

Response depends on the level of danger

When a broken or fallen tree creates an immediate hazard, the required procedure differs from cases where the tree is damaged but poses no direct threat. The DAP notes that the degree of danger determines how the landowner should proceed after filing the report.

Old protected trees in Latvia are nationally safeguarded natural objects, so handling them — including in cases of damage — is regulated and requires coordination with the responsible authority.