" The Brandenburg State Forestry Office informs"
Garden waste - it's just nature too
Littering the forest is prohibited and can be penalised with a fine of up to 20,000 euros. This is stated in § 37 of the Forest Act - but why do grass cuttings, twigs, leaves, wilted flowers or plucked weeds damage the forest?
The forest is a complex and perfectly harmonised ecosystem. In addition to the trees, it contains many other plant and animal species that can only exist if very specific soil, light and water requirements are met. Any substance that does not occur naturally in this area interferes with the living conditions of the ecosystem and can change them to such an extent that the forest dies or is at least severely damaged. For example, a pile of leaves from your garden can be enough to disrupt the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem.
Garden waste changes soil conditions
A garden tree has usually absorbed many nutrients and pesticides through its roots and stored them in its leaves. When the leaves fall to the ground in autumn, they also mix with the seeds of garden plants and weeds that do not occur in the wild. Fungi, bacteria and insects may also be present on these leaves. All this "rubbish" now ends up in the forest, changing the condition of the soil and damaging the naturally occurring plants and animals. Visible consequences are dying trees and the spread of cultivated plants. The typical forest inhabitants are gradually disappearing due to the introduced animal and plant pests.
Piles of leaves in your own garden
But a pile of leaves can do a lot of good in your own garden. Composting creates new soil - which saves on chemical fertilisers. Small piles of leaves provide hedgehogs and insects with a cosy winter nest and, as a mulch layer, the leaves provide perennials and shrubs with food and suppress weed growth.
Composting facilities & green waste bags
And if it is still too much for your own use - there are composting facilities or green waste bags in almost every municipality. This is also stipulated by law: plant waste may only be disposed of on the property on which it was produced or in a composting facility!
If you have any questions, please contact the forestry office in Waldsieversdorf, Eberswalder Chaussee 3 in 15377 Waldsieversdorf Tel. 0334331515/ 220 or 104 or the responsible district manager. "
Yours sincerely
On behalf of
signed. A. Jander
Head of the Chief Forester's Office