Street trees due to get the chop for new bus lanes can't just be replaced by saplings.
The Green Party has joined a UCD academic, who says the city needs to do more to maintain tree cover.
Researcher Dr Gerald Mills found Dublin has just 10 per cent urban tree canopy coverage in a 2017 study.
It's low compared to cities like Stockholm, with 57 per cent, and Warsaw, with 36 per cent.
The Sunday Independent reports the National Transport Authority has promised to replace trees felled for the BusConnects with mature specimens.
Councillor Ciarán Cuffe says trees are a vital green lung in the concrete jungle -- and the project needs leave streets better than it found them.
"Trees have a role in absorbing small particles from the air, and studies show that they can significantly reduce urban air pollution, particularly in the dry summer months," he said.
"Urban trees, not only do they reduce urban air pollution -- they're good for people's happiness."
