Overview
- From March 1 to September 30, §39(5) of the Federal Nature Conservation Act prohibits strong cutting or removal of hedges, shrubs, reeds and living fences.
- Only gentle form- and care-pruning is generally permitted, and any work must avoid disturbing active nests; urgent safety or traffic hazards can justify intervention after consulting authorities.
- Reported penalties for violations vary by state, reaching up to €15,000 in some cases and up to €100,000 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- A Landgericht Freiburg ruling confirms homeowners are not required to perform heavy pre-season cuts to satisfy neighbor-height limits.
- Practical guidance urges finishing major cuts before March 1, avoiding pruning during frost, waiting for several frost-free days or about 10°C for form cuts, with fruit-tree winter pruning often acceptable down to roughly −5°C.