The branches of the willow are tempting in spring when they are covered all over with fluffy flowers. A few of them look good in the vase and are even part of many customs at Easter. But they have to stay on the tree in the wild!

Catkins must not be cut in the wild

Willows are bee magnets

Sallow willows are among the first trees of the year to bloom. Her catkins are probably eagerly awaited by all bee colonies, as well as countless bumblebees. Because your table is far too sparsely set at this time of year.

Willows do not provide us with edible fruit themselves, but indirectly they have a decisive influence on the yield of our fruit trees. As the? With their pollen, they help the bee colony to develop well in spring. And only a well-developed colony can do the extensive pollination work a little later.

Flowers are also attractive to humans

While the catkins attract insects with their sweet scent, we humans are drawn to the branches covered in flowers. Each flower is soft, like a cat's fur. In addition, no leaves have sprout at this time, so that the flowers are even more eye-catching. So it's no wonder that the branches are in demand. Like cut flowers, they can stay decorative in a vase for a long time. In many places they are even an integral part of Easter bouquets.

Legal regulations are necessary

The bees cannot defend themselves if their food is snatched from their snouts. And because people do not want to or cannot voluntarily curb their urge to pick, the legislature had to intervene years ago and ban cutting:

  • Wild willows are under nature protection
  • § 39 Federal Nature Conservation Act, paragraph 5
  • their branches must not be cut off
  • not even for propagation at home
  • the ban applies annually from March 1 to September 30

tips

Don't take the ban lightly. If violations are discovered and reported, fines may apply.

hand ostrich regulation

The statutory provision also has an exception and it is called the hand ostrich rule. Paragraph § 39, paragraph 3 may be interpreted in such a way that cutting off a small amount (as many branches as can be grasped in one hand) is exempt from the prohibition.

However, this should not result in any significant impairment. Other laws can also stand in the way of this, such as special species protection or entry bans in certain areas. The one who does not cut the branches at all is on the safe side. This is also to be welcomed for the sake of the bees.

Category:

Trees