Overview
- Homeowners are urged to complete major hedge and shrub cuts by the end of February, as only gentle form and maintenance trims are allowed during the closed season.
- Under BNatSchG §39, radical cutting, clearing or ‘auf den Stock setzen’ of hedges, bushes and similar woody growth is barred nationwide from March 1 through September 30.
- Exceptions apply for safety risks and diseased plants, but any section with an active nest must be left untouched at all times.
- Penalties differ by state and municipality, with cited examples in Brandenburg ranging from €50 to €1,000 for up to 10 meters, up to €4,000 for 100 meters, and up to €65,000 in severe cases.
- Authorities say cases are often initiated by neighbor or passer‑by reports; residents should confirm local rules or seek advice from the Untere Naturschutzbehörde, noting legal nuances for trees on private garden plots.