Kaunas has squares, parks, and even a forest in the city. It’s certainly possible to lose yourself in the trees and enjoy nature’s therapy, although it can be difficult to completely ignore the noise of the city. But this time, I won’t be talking about forests and parks but rather about the “soloists”, who have already entered the city’s history. Perhaps there’s a special tree in your yard or on your street, one with a legend or even a name? It would be interesting to hear about it and continue this list, on which we’ve tried to include fascinating trees from various places around Kaunas and its environs.
The linden trees of Laisvės Avenue
I just wrote “soloists” and immediately contradicted myself. But it would be obscene not to include these trees that are more than 150 years old on the list. Yes, the appearance of linden trees in the city center dates back to its formation in the mid-19th century, when Kaunas became the center of a province. Whatever the name of this avenue, boulevard, or avenue, it is unimaginable without trees. However, in recent years, some of the linden trees have fallen into a very poor state, due to mechanical damage to their roots and climate change. But… they have also been immortalized in an artwork – the light installation called Linden was created by Kotryna Čalkaitė. You can find Linden at the section of Laisvės Avenue behind the Church of St. Michael the Archangel.
Vaižgantas and Vydūnas’ oak
On May 15, 1920, the opening ceremony of the Constituent Assembly, which held sessions at the City Theatre, took place. On this occasion, President Antanas Smetona and like-minded individuals planted five oak trees at the top of Owl Hill… while Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas and Vydūnas decided to plant their own oak elsewhere. You can find it in Vienybės Square, next to the current VMU rectorate.
Antanas Šabaniauskas’ willow
Another interesting tree in the same square is a willow planted in memory of the legendary singer Antanas Šabaniauskas. According to SBA Group employee Benediktas Balčiūnas, who spoke with Kauno diena journalist Edita Šileikė, a tree, shrouded in legend, used to grow in the square before its reconstruction. “As far as we know, he loved nature, but it’s unclear whether he planted the tree himself or if it was planted in his honor.” The old willow is no longer there, but a local resident took some branches from it before it was cut down, which then sprouted roots. One of these grew into a new sapling, which was planted in the reconstructed square.
Petrašiūnai oak
While walking along R. Kalanta Street, near house number 64, it’s impossible to miss the old oak tree. It’s over 400 years old… Pilgrims once stopped by this oak on their way to the Pažaislis Monastery church to pray. A small wayside shrine in the tree bears witness to this fact. Although Soviet authorities attempted to destroy it, the shrine still catches the eyes of attentive passersby today. People say that praying here can bring success in exams, work, or maybe even in life.
Old apple tree of Kaunas
Lithuania’s only protected apple tree even has a street named after it. You can find this natural monument in a private yard (please be respectful) located at Senosios Obels St. 18. Legend has it that a soldier from Napoleon’s army is buried underneath it. According to Wikipedia, in what was once Kazliškiai village, the owners of this property planned to cut down the old apple tree in 1960, which was in the way of the planned construction of a shed. However, when one of the few local residents mentioned that the tree was a memory of her great-grandfather who had lived there, the owners decided to preserve it. That same year, environmentalists visited the property and attached a metal plaque to a stone beside the tree, designating it as a natural monument. At that time, the old apple tree was approximately 300 years old.
The spruce of Obelynė
“The tallest living spruce in Lithuania,” this is how Zigmas Kalesinskas, the head of Kaunas District Museum (T. Ivanauskas’ homestead is subordinated to this institution), introduced this tree to us when we met him by chance at Obelynė homestead. The active man also told us that this spruce is lit every year on Christmas Eve, late in the evening, after mass, when the towns and nature have calmed down. Have you ever left home on Christmas Eve? Maybe this year will be the first time you do.
Mother linden
Welcome to the village of Braziūkai! It is said that the participants of the 1863 uprising used to gather at this tree. One of the oldest linden trees in Lithuania, it is over 300 years old and stands 26 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 8.4 meters at its thickest point.
The poplar of Karpis
There are more legends than facts about Ignas Karpis – the romantic landowner – but it only makes it more interesting. His grave is believed to be in the Paštuva Cemetery in Kaunas district. And in the village, there is a poplar tree marking Karpis’ unhappy love story. After falling in love with a simple Lithuanian girl, Marta, Karpis enraged his sister, who, when her brother left, flogged the girl. On his return, he was overtaken by emotions and drove the branches used for whipping into the ground. The poplar tree that grew from one of them became the body of the legend.
Two trunk oak
…and one more – but this time the last – stop in Kaunas district, which ends around here. This tree is special for Lithuanian history because Lithuanian books were secretly transported and distributed in the Babtai area during the press ban. The smuggled intellectual goods were hidden near the double-trunked oak tree which is now over 300 years old and stands next to the Nevėžis river.
P.S. You can find more interesting natural objects on the Green City Map published by Kaunas IN or simply by going for a long walk.
