Yellow Ribbons Around Fruit Trees in Germany – Sign That Fruits Can be Picked

(Illustration) A yellow ribbon around a fruit tree in Germany is a sign that the fruits can be picked from it freely and without question. It is part of last year’s project carried out in the Esslingen District in the Baden-Wurttemberg federal state, and it has now taken root in other parts of the country as well. The residents have responded well, and the aim is to have as little fruit remain unpicked as possible. Anyone who owns a fruit tree or an orchard who doesn’t have the time to pick the fruits can mark the trees, giving a sign to others that they are able to do so themselves. Last year, this project won an award and the ZEHN food center in Lower Saxony says that there’s a great demand this year as well.

So far, they’ve distributed around 1,400 yellow ribbons to owners of cherry, apple, pear and other fruit trees who want to make their fruits available to other residents. The project has been joined by towns and municipalities, as well as private owners.

The Saxony-Anhalt state is also taking part in the project this summer, in order to prevent the fruits from decaying and going to waste.

– Orchards, fruit trees and lane shrubbery, in gardens and next to roads, provide numerous tasty fruits which often can’t be picked and processed, noted the minister of agriculture of that federal state, professor Claudia Dalbert, praising the project.

According to the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, participation is free, and, following a successful registration, the yellow ribbons and the accompanying information materials are available to all interested participants.

ZEHN food center Lower Saxony

Baden Wurttemberg

Ministry of Agriculture of Saxony Anhalt

Saxony Anhalt

Claudia Dalbert

fruit

fruits

fruit trees

orchards

yellow ribbon

decay

harvesting

picking