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 a vase and are even part of many customs at Easter time. But they have to stay on the tree in the wild!
Are palm catkins protected?
Palm catkins on sal willows are protected according to Section 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act, Paragraph 5. Cutting off their branches is prohibited from March 1st to September 30th in order to ensure food for bees and insects. However, the manual bouquet regulation allows small quantities to be collected.
Sal willows are bee magnets
Sow willows are the first trees of the year to bloom. Their flower 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.
Salwows themselves do not provide us with edible fruit, but indirectly they have a decisive influence on the yield of our fruit trees. Like that? With their pollen, they help the bee colony develop well in spring. And only a well-developed colony can carry out the extensive pollination work a little later.
Flowers are also attractive to people
While the catkins attract insects with their sweet scent, we humans are attracted to the branches covered in flowers. Each flower is soft, like a cat's fur. In addition, no leaves have sprouted at this point, so the flowers are even more eye-catching. So it's no wonder that the branches are in demand. Like cut flowers, they can stand decoratively 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 trunks. And because people do not want or cannot voluntarily curb their urge to pick, the legislature had to intervene years ago and ban cutting:
- Sal willows are protected in the wild
- § 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 1st to September 30th
Tip
Don't take the ban lightly. If the violation is discovered and reported, there will be fines.
Hand bouquet control
The legal provision also has an exception, and that is called the hand bouquet regulation. Paragraph § 39, Paragraph 3 may be interpreted in such a way that cutting off a small amount (as many branches as can be grasped with one hand) is exempt from the ban.
But this must not cause any significant impairment. Other laws may also conflict with this, such as special species protection or bans on entering certain areas. Those who avoid cutting the branches at all are on the safe side. This is also welcome for the sake of the bees.
