Deer and fallow deer like to nibble on the branches and trunks of young fruit trees as a special treat, which may lead to the young trees dying due to the injuries sustained. A protective fence can help, but is not always permitted for legal reasons.
Apply for a special permit from the lower nature conservation authority
If you are planning an orchard on your own garden plot, you can fence it in – provided you do not want to apply for a subsidy. You only need an official permit for the fencing of property on outdoor areas (e.g. fields or green spaces), which is issued either by the lower nature conservation authority or by the building authority. However, obtaining this authorization is not easy: your application will usually be rejected. In particular, if you have your project funded with state, federal or EU funds, the property must remain publicly accessible.
tips and tricks
Although permanent fences must be approved, natural boundaries such as hedges or planted mounds are usually feasible and offer sufficient protection from thieving game (and also from thieving fellow human beings).