"Apologies, but I have shared unwanted information."
In Leipzig, allotment warden Michael Baumann (62) has found himself at the centre of a controversy after admitting to breaking the rules regarding tree roots and consuming fruit from trees growing over garden boundaries.
In a recent video, Baumann was seen joking about the regulations, which led to criticism from German director Anna Heiser on Instagram. The German Civil Code (BGB Paragraph 910) states that the owner of a property may cut off and keep the roots of a tree or bush that have grown in from a neighbouring property. However, Baumann's actions were not in line with this rule, as he allowed a tree to grow over the property boundary.
The allotment warden's actions are not a one-off incident. In the past, Baumann has declared war on boundary violations and expressed horror at a shed on an allotment. His latest controversy began when he cut off a branch with apples from a tree hanging over the garden fence onto the path, and kept the branch.
The apple-bearing tree branch, however, belongs to the property owner, not the public authority or garden guard Baumann. The branch with apples that was hanging over the public path was taken by Baumann, but the fruit may not be eaten, according to the correct information.
Baumann's statement about the branch being his should be taken with a grain of salt, as it was not growing on his property but on the public path. The allotment warden's actions and opinions have been featured in multiple news articles, with many calling for his resignation.
The German Civil Code was revised in 1969, and the rules regarding tree roots and boundary violations have been in place for decades. It is important for allotment wardens to uphold these rules and set a good example for the community they serve.
As the controversy continues, it is clear that Baumann's actions have not only broken the rules but also damaged his reputation. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved, but one thing is certain: the rules must be followed to ensure fairness and respect for all property owners.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Palmer engages in a dispute with AfD.
- Eric Adams reportedly considering abandoning his mayoral campaign for a Trump administration position
- Jaipur's Amer Fort experiences a 200-foot section collapse during heavy rainfall, but fortunately, no casualties are reported.
