The May tree is a firm component of tradition consciousness in Bavaria and exists since that 18.Century, whereby it concerns an old fertility custom, which to in 16.Century back is enough.
May trees were however no Bavarian or alpine regional peculiarity, separate it gave nearly in all countries of Europe. If today from a May tree the speech is, then one proceeds automatically from the type figures of the decorated local May tree, as it is usual particularly in Upper Bavaria.
Mays up to the May dance around a decorated bar, attached of, on the village square one set up, are enough the traditions.

There is a contest between the neighbouring villages, who set up the largest and most beautiful May tree, whereby these with coloured volumes, a wreath/ring, and carved figures and guild characters decorated and with a saying, which testifies the agreement of the place, provided. The delicate at setting up the tree is, which it must be set up without technical aids and only with two bars and the necessary body strength, whereby the bars (the so-called Schwaibeln) are pressed against the tree, until it stands perpendicularly. The whole night over, the May tree is guarded, so that he is stolen or is not damaged not by bloke from other villages. The to purloin May tree is subjected however exact rules.

Setting up the May tree takes place according to firm rules, which we would like to describe here briefly.

Setting up a village May tree is always a joint enterprise. Either the organization and execution takes over a local association or single bloke and girl organizes themselves and selects from its rows a “May tree boss”. Usually the tasks are traditionally separate. Thus the men worry about the tree and take over that cases, transport and setting up, while the young women for winding the festoons, collecting around money and gifts in kind in the apron and the other decoration are responsible. For the time of falling is important it to know, whether the May tree a blue-white painting receives or roughly (without branch and crust) is set up.
The May tree is usually donated by a forest farmer, to it one pays attention, that the tree at least 30m highly and from candle-straight stature is.
In the early morning hours of the 1.Maibur drives May then into the forest, in order to put the tree down (still before the prayer ringing). The evacuation takes place with a decorated horse cart. Usually bloke is called received already from the inhabitants with the blowing music in the place.

Immediately after that cases the tree is freed from branches and the crust and washed off with hot water and if necessarily still smoothly planed.
The trunk is to be painted, thus the tree brought into a suitable resounds, so that the work for time-consuming painting independently of the weather can take place.

Where a May tree is set up, lurk the May tree thieves.
This unwritten law applies already some decades and already the courts employed. In the surrounding localities the competitors already lurk, around one moment of the tiredness, To use inattentiveness or carelessness, in order to be able to then kidnap the precious booty. The theft of a May tree is (small) a defeat, but the involved ones see it sporty usually. Negotiators are sent to negotiations, in order to specify the return conditions. Few barrels a beer, Bread times and a common evening are in most cases sufficient, in order to lead back the May tree again.

The May tree got over all dangers well, putting up begins. It has - in such a way it writes an unwritten law pre alone with muscle power to happen and in the village all forces is in such a way mobilized, in order to create the force act. Before setting up usually still the mayor speaks a few words, the minister consecrates the tree and then the command by the “May tree boss” is taken over. With instructions like “striking jerk” and “at the same time” and with the help of so-called “pliers” or “Schwaibeln”, as well as a large portion of effort the tree continues to slip ever up. As soon as it stands perpendicularly, it is fastened in the prepared anchorage, the blue-white flags drawn up and the band plays to the “May dance” up. In the guild characters make for places are only attached, if the May tree already stands, while in areas make the emblems and figures when setting up the tree already decorate.