Whether when cutting back or felling trees, the question of nature conservation always arises. The birch tree is also a popular mushroom collecting place and is often tapped in spring. What action is unacceptable, restricted or even forbidden? We give an overview.
What role does nature conservation play in the birch?
Dir Birch is not protected in Germany, although it is increasingly suffering from climate change. However, please note thelocal tree protection regulations, which may vary. Tapping and pruning are acceptable or permitted to a limited extent. A permit is required to fell older birch trees.
When can I prune a birch tree?
So that breeding birds are not disturbed, you may only prune your birch back more heavily during the periodfrom October up to and including February. If you plan to prune heavily, you should also check whether the local tree regulations contain further restrictive provisions.
How is the birch affected by climate change?
The birch tree can tolerate neitherlong-term droughtnor permanent wetness. However, climate change is increasingly giving us summers in which it hardly rains for many weeks at a time. The rest of the time, however, there are long periods of rain. Although the birch is known as an undemanding pioneer tree, as it has shallow roots it has difficulty adapting to these changing conditions. An unbalanced water balance weakens the birch tree and makes itmore susceptible to diseases
Is it allowed to tap birch sap?
There are currentlyno legal regulations In principle, you can tap any birch tree if it belongs to you or you have the owner's permission. But tapping is controversial, especially for ecological reasons. Conservationists are completely against it for these reasons:
- an injury is inflicted on the birch tree
- the risk of fungal infestation is increased
- the birch needs water for its own growth
It may well be that the warning to stop tapping will at some point be enshrined in law as a ban.
What role do mushrooms play in the issue of nature conservation?
Birch mushrooms are one of the legally protected mushroom species in Germany. Since you live in symbiosis with the birch, it is ultimately also affected. Protected mushrooms living on a birch tree,cutting and felling may be restricted Birch mushrooms may be collected, but in small quantities and only for your own needs.
In which cases is approval for felling granted?
Deciduous trees, which include birch, may only be felled with a previously issued permit if their trunk circumference is 80 cm or more. If the birch has multiple trunks, the limit of 50 cm applies. The following speaks for approval, among other things:
- road safety is at risk
- Felling is in the public interest
- other trees are negatively affected
- Birch has no ecological function
- Use of property will be affected
IsDanger imminent For example, because the birch tree is no longer stable due to a disease, approval can generally be expected. The approval granted may be subject to certain conditions, for example a new planting or a compensation payment.
Tip
Water the birch when summer shows its dry side
The roots of a birch tree only go down about one meter on average. If there is no rain for many weeks, the earth around them dries out. So that the lack of water does not weaken the birch tree and it turns yellow leaves, you should water it regularly, but not too much.
