The removal of trees in Lapad over recent days might at first look shocking, but there is a good reason behind the move.

Work has begun on the redevelopment of the tree-lined promenade in King Tomislav Street in the suburb of Lapad, funded in part by non-repayable grants as part of investments in green urban infrastructure.

The project involves the complete removal of the existing sidewalk and greenery (including the current pine trees) and the installation of a new paved sidewalk with curbs over a 200-metre corridor stretching from the pedestrian zone in Lapad to the football stadium. The plan includes planting 32 mature elm trees, adding ground-level greenery, and implementing an irrigation system. The works are expected to take seven months.

The investment is co-financed by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, which has provided €276,500, covering 60% of the project. The total contracted value of the project is €457,012.35.

And this is what it will look like in the future - Photo - Grad Dubrovnik 

So why cut down the mature pine trees? The manager of the Arboretum of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Trsteno, Dr. Ivan Šimić, shared his perspective on the situation for Dubrovački Vjesnik. “The pines in that area were in very poor condition; they were leaning and falling. It seems that two pines fell just in the past year near the 'traffic light' area. I understand that many citizens find it hard to accept the sight of tree cutting, but it’s important to realize that this is part of urban redevelopment. New trees will be planted to replace the removed ones, bringing long-term benefits. Not everything should be viewed solely negatively. A significant debate has emerged, but few have inquired about the type of elm being planted. The hybrid elm (Ulmus ‘Rebona’) is a variety resistant to major diseases and is commonly used for tree-lined avenues across Europe due to its durability and adaptability to urban environments. In addition to its disease resistance, this elm tolerates various climatic conditions, including drought and low temperatures. Furthermore, it grows quickly and has a dense canopy that provides good shade. It also has a stable root system, reducing the risk of tree breakage.”