Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Fires can only be made in designated and appropriately marked fire pits. It is prohibited to throw unextinguished matches, cigarette butts, or other objects that could start a fire. A lit fire must be continuously monitored, and once finished, it must be extinguished with soil or water until it stops smoldering completely. Only branches and twigs can be used to start a fire in the forest.

You can stay only in recreation areas, rest spots, campsites, campgrounds, or other recreational buildings.

ATVs, like other motorized vehicles, can ONLY be used on roads in the forest. DO NOT drive on block lines, clearings, power line tracks and – without a doubt – forest floor or nature trails.

Is it allowed to ride bicycles in the forest? You can ride bicycles on roads and recreational, educational, or other forest trails without disturbing pedestrians and damaging the trail surface.

Is mushroom and berry picking allowed in all forests?
Mushroom and berry picking, collecting medicinal herbs and raw materials are allowed in all forests, except for reserve forests and other forests where such activities or visits are temporarily prohibited.

It is allowed to visit forests of all ownership types, except for reserve forests, special-purpose sites (border zones, military sites) and forests where access is restricted by law.

Is it allowed to organize events in the forest? Cultural, sports, and other events in the forest can be organized only with written permission from the forest owner/manager. If the event is planned in a protected area, contact the relevant protected area administration.

Is it allowed to let a dog off-leash in the forest? For the safety of forest visitors and the animal itself, letting a dog off-leash without a muzzle (a muzzle is not required if the dog is on a leash) is prohibited.

Where can I park my car when I visit the forest? Cars can be parked only in designated parking areas or on the roadside, ensuring that other vehicles can pass. When parking on the roadside, avoid driving onto moss, lichens, or berry bushes.

Services I want to buy forest seedlings. Where should I go? We sell forest seedlings for reforestation or afforestation to both legal entities and individuals from our nurseries. Those wishing to purchase high-quality forest seedlings are invited to contact the nearest SFE nursery. The list of nurseries and their contacts can be found here: SFE nursery contacts, under the “Nursery Unit” section.

The prices of forest seedlings can be found here: https://vmu.lt/en/forestry/misko-sodmenu-isauginimas/

Decorative plants can be purchased at the SFE Raudondvaris nursery. Prices and the list of available plants can be found here: Decorative Plants Information. Contact: Renata Vaškevičienė, head of the Raudondvaris nursery, [email protected], +370 616 85232, Medelyno g. 1, Raudondvaris, Kauno r. sav.

Before Christmas, in December, SFE announces the sale of Christmas trees and invites you to decorate your home with a real forest-scented tree. To buy a fir tree, contact the nearest SFE nursery. The list of nurseries and their contacts can be found here:  https://vmu.lt/en/contacts/, under the “Nursery Unit” section.

SFE sells forest tree seeds. The list of seeds for sale and their prices can be found here: Forest Tree Seeds Information

We invite you to purchase firewood, standing timber, or logging residues directly from our regional divisions. Detailed information about prices, quantities, ordering, and delivery can be obtained by contacting the specialists of SFE regional units. Contacts of specialists can be found here: https://vmu.lt/en/forestry/logging/mazmenine-prekyba/

Regarding the sale of land for forest planting, we invite you to apply to all 25 regional units of SFE.

Basic requirements for purchasing land:

• the plot of private land to be purchased must be formed after carrying out its cadastral measurements;
• if the plot of private land adjoins a forest of state importance, which is managed by the purchasing organization in trust, it must be at least 1 ha in area;
• if the plot of private land does not adjoin a forest of state importance, which is managed by the purchasing organization in trust, it must be at least 3 ha in area;
• it must be physically possible to access the plot of private land by a public road or by using the road easement established for the plot;
• it must be permitted and possible to plant a forest on a plot of private land;
• if there are non-vegetable areas on the plot of private land, they can make up no more than 30 percent. plot area;
• if there is wooded land in the plot of private land, it may not exceed 50%. plot area;
• the main purpose of land use of a private plot of land is agricultural or other, which can be changed to forestry according to legislation.

You can find more information here: https://vmu.lt/en/purchases-of-land-designated-for-new-forests/

Residents can contact forestry representatives to purchase leftover logging residues after logging operations. The forestry representative provides written permission for the resident to legally collect logging residues. The collected quantity is then calculated, the resident pays for the collected residues, and can take them for heating. Prices of logging residues are indicated in the price lists: https://vmu.lt/en/forestry/logging/mazmenine-prekyba/

The necessary permits for private forest owners to cut down trees are issued and consultations on various issues related to private forests are provided by the State Forest Service: http://www.amvmt.lt/

It is prohibited to cut, saw, or remove fallen or dead trees without permission. Dead or fallen trees do not necessarily need to be removed from the forest as they can be left as biologically valuable deadwood. For information on purchasing standing timber, contact the nearest SFE regional units‘ forestry area. Contacts can be found here: https://vmu.lt/en/contacts/, under the “Forestry Areas” section.

In Lithuania, the logging quota is approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania for a period of 5 years. The forest logging quota for 2024-2028 has been set at the same level as the previous five-year period. The approved logging quota cannot and is not exceeded. It should be noted that main forest logging operations are not planned and are not carried out in state forests located in habitats of European Community importance, which Lithuania has committed to preserve and which are part of the Natura 2000 protected area network and national protected areas. In the past five years, the area of state forests in the country has increased by 34 thousand hectares. This figure includes about 20 thousand hectares of forests in the state land fund, which in 2023 were transferred to the State Forest Enterprise for integrated forest management activities.

When conducting forest logging (except for young stand tending and thinning) in Group II forests or forests located in protected areas (including Natura 2000 areas), which are registered in the State Register of Protected Areas of the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with the Law on Protected Areas, SFE informs the public about the ongoing work with information boards near the logging area. These boards provide detailed information on why and what work is being carried out, the type of logging, the logged area, the basis and purpose of the operation, and the contact information of the logging work organizer. In logging areas where clear-cut or final felling has been carried out, the planned method of forest restoration, the time, and the planned species composition of the restored forest are additionally indicated. If you have more questions, you can contact the contacts listed on the information boards. You can also get information about the activities carried out in the SFE regional units by contacting the indicated units contacts: https://vmu.lt/en/contacts/, in the “Regional Units” section.

The planned forest cutting operations for the current year in the SFE regional units and all related information (forestry area, block and plot number, cutting area, type of cutting) can be found at: https://vmu.lt/en/forest-management/

All logging is carried out under the conditions specified in permits issued by the State Forest Service and in accordance with the Law on Forests of the Republic of Lithuania, forest cutting regulations, forest sanitary protection regulations, and forest certification standard requirements. When carrying out forest management activities in protected areas, logging is coordinated, and conditions for the work are determined by the respective protected area directorates. From March 15 to August 1, during the bird breeding season, logging and wood extraction are prohibited in all categories of protected forests and national parks. During this period, logging and wood extraction are also prohibited in Category II forests (ecosystem protection and recreation forests), Category III (protective) forests located in protected areas established according to regulations, and Category IV (commercial) forests located in national parks. More information on the main biological, ecological, and technological requirements for forest logging (wood preparation, wood extraction), forest categories, the permitted or prohibited economic activities in these categories, timelines, and types of logging can be found in the Forest Cutting Regulations: https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.364764/asr.

After logging, SFE foresters replant the forest with mixed, climate-resilient trees the following spring. Each year, we not only restore about 9,500 hectares of state forests but also establish approximately 500 hectares of new forests on agricultural land. Therefore, Lithuania’s forest cover is continuously increasing and currently stands at 33.8%.

Clear-cut sanitary logging operations are carried out in stands affected by natural disasters, diseases, or forest pests, where it is impossible to improve the stand’s sanitary condition using other forest sanitary protection measures, or where selective sanitary logging would leave a stand density of 0.4 or less. Sanitary logging operations are conducted by the State Forest Enterprise (SFE) foresters with the appropriate forest cutting permits and in compliance with cutting regulations and other legal requirements governing this activity. Before issuing a permit to cut the forest, all cutting conditions are assessed by specialists from the State Forest Service, and SFE’s activities are annually evaluated by independent auditors according to the requirements of the Lithuanian National FSC Forest Management Standard.

According to data from the National Forest Inventory conducted by the State Forest Service, the average age of forests has increased over the past 10 years and currently stands at 54 years.

For more information: https://amvmt.lrv.lt/lt/atviri-duomenys-1/mitai-apie-lietuvos-miskus/

The National Forest Inventory is conducted by the State Forest Service. More information: https://amvmt.lrv.lt/lt/

In clear-cut areas and reforestation sites, the forest must be restored no later than within three years. The forest is considered restored when the quality of the reforestation and afforestation meets the requirements set by the regulations for Forest Restoration and Afforestation approved by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania.

In reforesting and establishing new forests, foresters pay significant attention to the composition of tree species. Given the challenges related to climate change, foresters restore mixed, climate-resilient forests composed of more than three native tree species, including oaks, birches, linden trees, spruces, pines, alders, beeches, and others. Additionally, to increase the future forests’ resilience and biodiversity, priority is given to planting forest undergrowth with nectar-producing deciduous tree and shrub species.

Contact the nearest regional unit of the State Forest Enterprise, which will assess the information and take measures to manage the waste. Contact details for VMU regional units: https://vmu.lt/en/contacts/.

You can also contact the AAD reporting service at tel.: (8 5) 273 2995 or 112.

If you see a fire, you can try to extinguish a small blaze and prevent it from spreading using simple methods: beating the flames with branches, stomping with your feet, covering with soil, or pouring water on it. However, if you see that you can’t control the fire, immediately call the emergency number 112 or local foresters and move away from the direction where the wind is blowing—do not run downwind!

Contact the nearest VMU regional unit. Foresters will visit the pest-affected areas, assess the damage, and take appropriate forest sanitary protection measures. VMU regional unit contacts: https://vmu.lt/en/contacts/.  You can also contact the AAD reporting service at tel.: (8 5) 273 2995 or report pest damage on the interactive map at www.tvarkaulietuva.lt.

Foresters face many challenges due to the invasion of the dangerous bark beetle Ips typographus, which attacks spruce forests. Less resistant to harmful insects are weakened spruces, especially those affected by long-term moisture shortages and stress, particularly those 40 years and older. Additionally, pests often infest spruce trees that have been broken or uprooted by the wind. However, this does not mean that spruce forests will disappear from our country. As before, spruces will continue to grow in Lithuanian forests, but they will be planted alongside other native tree species. When restoring forests, priority is given to creating mixed spruce stands and regenerations, as mixed forests are better protected and more resilient to natural impacts such as diseases and pests.

Long-term monitoring of the Ips typographus beetle invasions in Lithuania and other countries indicates that the most severe damage caused by this pest occurs periodically, approximately every 7-10 years. The most significant spread of this dangerous bark beetle in Lithuania was recorded between 1990 and 1996. During this period, the beetle caused 3-4 times more damage than the current spread. VMU experts, analyzing international scientific research and conducting observations in Lithuania, estimate that the high prevalence of this beetle, related to the decrease in spruce forest resistance, is due to factors such as overall climate warming, repeated droughts over several years, a drop in groundwater levels, and several recent winters with particularly favorable conditions for Ips typographus overwintering. The situation regarding Ips typographus damage to spruce forests is also relevant in neighboring countries, as damage caused by the beetle has increased across Europe over the past decade.

If infested trees are not cut down, the infection source spreads to neighboring coniferous forests, increasing the area of damaged stands. The only effective way to combat this pest is to perform timely sanitary clear-cutting and remove infested wood more than 2 km away from the spruce stands (as the bark beetle can fly up to 2 km, after which it weakens and dies if it does not find a suitable feeding site) or debark the wood.

Preventive measures to combat the spread of the bark beetle Ips typographus include the use of pheromone traps. These traps are placed in the clear-cut areas early in the spring, before the pest awakens and starts flying. It is important to note that pheromone traps effectively capture Ips typographus only if the beetles are collected and destroyed from the traps every 7-10 days throughout the summer.

If individual infested trees are found, sanitary clear-cutting is performed, meaning that infested conifers are removed. Where the bark beetle Ips typographus has completely damaged the spruce stands, the only remaining control measure is clear-cutting. This method ensures the physical removal of the pest from the forest, prevents it from spreading to other trees, and stops the development of a new generation of bark beetles.

During clear-cutting operations, in accordance with sustainable forestry principles, the required number of trees for biodiversity is left. At least 10 trees per hectare, valuable for biodiversity conservation and enhancement, are selected and left until they fully decompose. These are chosen from local species diversity and include biologically valuable (older and thicker) and wind-resistant trees.

Nature can handle challenges on its own, but then questions arise—how long will it take, how will it manage, what will its condition be, and who will be responsible for it? A strong and healthy forest does not grow by itself; it needs constant care and attention. Without the intervention of foresters, there can be threats such as the spread of forest diseases and pests, and the aggressive expansion of shrubs and tree species that overshadow the primary tree species.

Seedlings, initially planted at 30 centimeters in height, grow into trees, become denser, and develop intraspecific competition. Other tree or shrub species, such as hazelnuts, black alders or willows, may start to overshadow light-loving pines and oaks, as they grow faster, surpass them, and create shade, preventing other trees from growing beneath them.

Foresters, as qualified forestry specialists, take on immense responsibility by following research results, adhering to centuries-old forestry traditions and practicing sustainable forestry principles. They work to ensure that forests are nurtured and protected so that future generations can enjoy them.

If you notice a possibly injured or sick wild animal, or if you find it in an unusual environment, you should avoid approaching, examining, or disturbing it. If you find an injured animal, call the emergency number 112 – the information will be forwarded to the on-duty Environmental Protection Department officers. When notified about an animal injured or killed in a traffic accident, the officers will inform the Animal Welfare Association or, if the animal was harmed in hunting areas, the local hunting club or association.

The best way to care for young animals is to avoid touching them, walk around them, and not leave any scent behind so that the parents can return and care for them peacefully. Some animal parents may leave their young when they sense humans nearby but will return once the danger has passed. There are also cases where parents temporarily leave their young to allow them to strengthen (for example, a deer may hide its fawn in tall grass and leave it there, returning periodically to feed it and then leaving again to allow the fawn to gain strength before it can begin walking). It is important not to touch the animals, as the parents might reject the young if they detect a human scent.

Report any violations observed in the forest to the local foresters, who will respond immediately and take all necessary measures. You can find the contact information for the foresters at: https://vmu.lt/en/contacts/,  in the “Regional units” section, selecting the “Forestry Areas” field.

After changing the legal status to a public limited company, 100% of the company’s shares will belong to the state. The forests will remain the constitutional property of the state, and the company will manage them under a fiduciary trust, as it does now. The Ministry of Environment will be the institution responsible for exercising the company’s rights and duties. Additionally, the forests will not be invested into the company’s share capital.

The owner of state forests is the state. SFE manages these forests under trust, not ownership. The transformation of SFE into a public limited company does not change its trust-based ownership. It is also important to emphasize that any transfer of SFE shares can only occur with the approval of the Seimas (there are additional safeguards) – as stipulated by the Law on the Protection of Objects Important for National Security. According to this law, a company managing Lithuanian state forests under trust is classified as a first-category enterprise important for national security. For such companies, whether their legal form is a private limited company or a joint-stock company, any transfer of shares requires the approval of the Seimas.

Additional information: You can familiarize yourself with the Law on the Protection of Objects Important for National Security here: Law on the Protection of Objects Important for National Security

The Forest Law can be reviewed here: Forest Law Information on state-owned companies becoming joint-stock companies can be found here: List of State-Owned Enterprises

More about trust management can be found in the Civil Code here: Civil Code

All employees’ employment relationships will continue, maintaining their economic and social status. There will be more opportunities to motivate current skilled employees and attract new ones.

Depoliticizing decisions will facilitate more flexible and quicker decision-making related to the company’s operations. Additionally, the company will be able to manage its assets more efficiently, making decisions regarding leasing, development, or sales. The Lithuanin State Forest Enterprise will continue to successfully carry out its current activities and transitioning to a public limited company will provide new opportunities for growth, attract skilled employees, and thereby increase returns to the state.

Changing the legal status to a public limited company (AB) will create opportunities to expand activities into areas related to forestry, invest in innovative services, and diversify operations to ensure a greater return for the state. It will also provide more attractive borrowing options, such as securing funding from international investors like the EIB, NIB, and others, which can offer cheaper financing for operations. The change in legal status will also ensure smoother risk management, with additional activities and expansion projects carried out through subsidiaries, thereby reducing risks to the core business.