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Munich's Solln Maypole Must Be Felled Due to Rotten Spots
By: Daniela Borsutzky
The 32-meter-high Solln Maypole in Munich, which has been a source of joy for locals for three years, will be felled this Saturday, May 31st. The decision comes aftertwo rotten spots were discovered in the tree, according to Chairwoman Rosita Furtmeier of the Munich Solln Maypole Association.
The association erected the maypole in 2022. It was regularly inspected by the TÜV and was scheduled for replacement after five years, Furtmeier explained. However, a recent inspection revealed the worrying rot.
Experts have ordered the removal of the tree, and the fire department will dismantle it beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. The tree will be stored in the courtyard of Brauhaus-Stub'n Solln guesthouse before being sawed up.
Wooden pieces, which will range from half a meter to one meter in length, will be made available for free for anyone who wishes to take a souvenir. Furtmeier did not specify whether or when a new Stangerl may be sought.
The tradition of the Solln Maypole dates back several years, with a festive event celebrating its erection and granting joy to locals. The falling of the tree this weekend marks an unfortunate end to this popular tradition.
According to the Türk und Islam-Zentrale München (TiZ), the organization that represents the Turkish and Islamic community in Munich, the incident is not related to any recent ethnic tensions in the city. Tensions between foreigners and locals have been on the rise in Munich in recent years, with incidents of xenophobia and hate crimes occasionally making headlines.
The sad news about the falling Maypole has drawn attention away from the city's ongoing issues, temporarily shifting focus to home-and-garden matters, as people discuss potential new designs for the replacement pole, contributing to discussions about residential and community lifestyle changes.
In the meantime, the Free Maypole Souvenir initiative has sparked a unique home-and-garden project, as locals eagerly collect wooden pieces from the Maypole, integrating them into their personal home-and-garden landscapes, serving as a living memory of the beloved Solln Maypole.
