In Germany, the period during which intensive cutting of trees, shrubs, and hedges was permitted is ending. Starting Saturday, February 28th, and effectively from Sunday, March 1st, until the end of September, a ban on radical pruning is in effect to protect birds during the breeding season. Local nature conservation offices are reminding residents of this. Only light formative pruning is allowed, provided it does not disturb nests. Violations can result in financial penalties.
Timely Completion of Work
The last day for intensive pruning of hedges, shrubs, and trees is Saturday, February 28th, 2026. The ban is in effect from March 1st to September 30th, as stipulated by federal nature conservation law.
Protection of Birds and Other Animals
The main goal of the regulation is to protect birds during the breeding season, to avoid destroying their nests and causing disturbance. Authorities also remind about the protection of other species, such as rare bats or amphibians, whose habitats may be found in gardens.
Permissible Formative Pruning
Light formative pruning, aimed at maintaining the shape of a hedge or controlling growth, is allowed year-round, including during the protective period. The condition is to ensure the vegetation does not contain active nests with eggs or chicks.
Legal Consequences
Violating the ban on radical pruning during the protective period may result in a fine imposed by the relevant nature conservation authorities. It is therefore recommended to check the condition of plants before any cutting.
German garden owners have their final days to carry out intensive work on hedges, shrubs, and trees. According to the federal Bundesnaturschutzgesetz, a ban on radical pruning and cutting of these plants is in effect from March 1st to September 30th. This ban aims to protect birds during the breeding season, to avoid destroying their nests and disrupting reproduction. As reported by local media, the last day for such work is Saturday, February 28th. Starting Sunday, March 1st, the so-called protective period begins. This is being reminded by, among others, the subordinate state-level untere Naturschutzbehörde. Only light formative pruning, which does not significantly alter the plant structure for animals, remains permissible year-round. It is absolutely essential to ensure that the vegetation being pruned does not contain nests with eggs or young birds. Violating the ban can result in monetary fines. The protection of songbirds through restrictions on vegetation pruning during the breeding season has a long tradition in Germany, dating back to the early 20th century and the development of modern nature conservation legislation. Similar regulations, albeit with different dates, also exist in other European Union countries, stemming from the Birds and Habitats Directives. The authority's communication also highlighted the protection of other animals, such as rare bat species that may have roosts in buildings, or amphibians like the protected kammmolch (great crested newt) inhabiting garden ponds. The office urges caution during all gardening work, as many of these species are endangered, primarily due to human activity. In this context, the media emphasizes that gardens play an important ecological role as refuges for biodiversity.