Druskininkai has been named the European City of Trees for 2026
The European Arborists’ Council (EAC) has named Druskininkai as the European City of the trees 2026. The award, presented in recognition of the municipality’s outstanding contribution to arboriculture, was handed over at the EAC’s annual general assembly held in Vilnius.
“We are the first town in Lithuania to receive such recognition. We are very proud of this, delighted, and would like to thank the wonderful team of municipal specialists who care for every tree with such professionalism and sincerity,” said Ričardas Malinauskas, Mayor of Druskininkai Municipality.
Druskininkai was nominated for the European City of Trees award by landscape and green space experts and the Lithuanian Arborists’ Association. Vilnius and Kaunas were also submitted for assessment by European arboriculture experts.
Members of the European City of Trees (ECOT) award working group visited Lithuania and assessed each city’s tree management practices on site. The information and impressions they gathered were presented to the arborists’ associations, and the decision was taken by secret ballot and confirmed at a meeting of the European Arborists’ Council in Germany.
According to the European City of Trees Awards working group, Druskininkai impressed them not only with the number of trees planted, but also with its approach and objectives. “The town does not aim for large numbers: it plants as many trees as it can maintain whilst adhering to high standards — this is a well-considered, responsible philosophy,” states the ECOT press release.
The European City of Trees award honours towns that demonstrate scientific rigour, innovative technical standards, community involvement and forward-looking climate adaptation strategies in the management of their urban trees.
The award has been presented since 2007.
