Watch the video: Pine cones and co. – What can I take with me from the forest?
Forests are indispensable for the climate, people and the environment.
And they offer many natural decorative materials such as pine cones or leaves. But can you just take things home from a forest?
Actually no! Because, whether federal state, municipality or private individual – every forest has its owner. And everything that grows and occurs in the forest belongs to them.
However, if you want to collect a few pine cones in the forest for your Christmas decorations, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
There is the "hand bouquet regulation" from the Federal Nature Conservation Act:
"Everyone is allowed to (…) bring wild flowers, grasses, ferns, mosses, lichens, fruits, mushrooms, tea and medicinal herbs as well as branches of wild plants from nature in small quantities in places that are not subject to entry bans take care of your personal needs and appropriate them."
Trees, like plants grown for forestry purposes, do not fall under this rule.
Anyone who removes a tree from the forest must expect a high penalty.
Anyone who wants to collect pine cones or something similar not for private use but for commercial use needs the consent of the forest owner.
Nature conservation plays a major role:
Various types of moss are threatened with extinction and should not be taken with you in small quantities.
The general rule is: no plants may be removed from designated nature reserves.
Actually, it goes without saying: Animals or nests, eggs or antlers are of course not allowed to be taken with you.
Fir branches, cones, moss and mistletoe: what can you take with you from the forest?