Last Minute Cut
On an evening tour near Stuvenborn: bends are typical hedgerows in Schleswig-Holstein and serve as a habitat for numerous animal and plant species. They protect against erosion, provide wind protection and characterise the cultural landscape.
Knicks are maintained at intervals of around 10 to 15 years by what is known as ‘pruning’. This involves cutting back woody plants close to the ground to promote regeneration. This is done between October and February so as not to disturb breeding birds.
It is important to provide professional care that maintains the ecological function and complies with legal requirements. Knicks are under special protection and violations of the maintenance regulations can be penalised.
Despite the ecological considerations and the inherent merit of the endeavor, the act of felling trees remains, at its core, a somber affair… a source of melancholy.