The privet berries look beautiful, but are poisonous. If small pets or children eat it, it can cause problems. Here's how to remove the berries.
When and how do I remove privet berries?
To remove privet berries, a second pruning of the privet hedge should be carried out in October, removing all wilted inflorescences. This prevents the berries from growing and at the same time promotes opaque growth in the hedge.
When should I remove the berries from the privet?
Make a second major pruningin October and remove all wilted inflorescences. This will remove the base of the berries from the plant. You can put the clippings on the compost. The toxic substances in the plant decompose during composting, so you don't have to worry about it.
What speaks against removing the privet berries?
The berries look beautiful and are an importantfood sourcefor manybirds If you attach particular importance to the ecological sustainability of your privet hedge, you should therefore not remove the berries. Remember that your gardening measures can always do something to preserve the regional ecosystem and biodiversity. In the case of the easy-care privet, this is definitely an option.
Do I have to remove the berries from the privet?
You must remove the privet berriesnot mandatory as the concentration of poison is limited. Today it is usually assumed that up to ten berries do not cause any major problems. However, consuming larger amounts can cause serious he alth problems.
Tip
Removing the berries offers this additional advantage
Making a second privet cut in the fall to prevent berry growth provides an added benefit. Regular pruning promotes new branches and thus opaque growth. So you are doing something good for your privet and even encouraging new growth.