Only a few trees in Ückesdorf still bear apples – not enough to invite the people of Bonn to pick them. "It is basically a good development that local fruit trees are again finding consumers and enthusiastic fans," says Markus Schmitz from the Bonn press office. The orchards are specially designed so that they are accessible to everyone - people and animals alike. "All users should be aware that the harvesting of entire stocks by individuals cannot be in the best interests of all members of the public," says Schmitz. That is why the city has now filed a complaint. Because without the permission of the council, no one can take the fruit from the trees.

It is unlikely that the apples were harvested on a grand scale and then transported away on trailers, believes Renate Graf. The 81-year-old pensioner, who walks past the orchards two or three times a week along the footpath from Brüser hill to the graveyard in Ückesdorf, has often seen families with children taking apples home in bags in recent weeks. "Some of the fruit was beaten out of the trees with sticks," she says. According to city forestry office, this is not allowed as it damages the branches and the trees cannot carry as much fruit in the following year.

The city states that it is generally allowed to collect fallen fruit and to pick it from some trees. "All fruit trees in municipal parks, for example at Grünzug Nord or at Apfelallee on the Venusberg, may gladly be used without further questions, says Markus Schmitz. But only for personal use and in small quantities.

The city council wants to put up signs so that in the coming year, the orchards will not be empty again before the start of the public harvesting initiative. However, there will be no additional fences, so far only a few orchards have been protected. "But the general rule is that even unfenced fields usually belong to someone and you can't just help yourself," says Schmitz.

Original text: Nicole Garten-Dölle

Translation: Caroline Payne