Frequently Asked Questions About the Maypole

No. Maibaum München is an information site by Chinesischer Turm e.V. and explains the custom. We do not sell, rent out or broker maypoles. What clubs should think about before getting one is set out in the guide Buying a Maypole.

A tall trunk, stripped of branches and peeled, usually spruce or fir, raised around 1 May. It generally carries a white and blue spiral, a green wreath and the emblems of the trades. More on the Tradition page.

Around 1 May, in many places on the holiday itself, in some already the evening before. More under Raising.

As a sign of spring and as the self-portrait of a place: the guild emblems show its trades and clubs. Raising it together is a celebration on top of that.

Places handle it differently. Some trees disappear at the end of May, many stay for a year or longer. The tree at the Viktualienmarkt is renewed at intervals of several years.

Usually around 30 metres, with a few record trees over 50 metres. The 2022 tree at the Viktualienmarkt measured around 34 metres.

Several tonnes, depending on height. That is why a crane is usually brought in for large trees.

There is no flat figure. The price depends on height, painting, guild emblems and transport, and on top of that come the foundation, the raising, inspection and insurance. More under Buying.

Because maypole stealing is a tolerated custom with unwritten rules: the tree is taken only before it goes up, without force, and the ransom is paid in beer and Brotzeit, the bread and cold cuts that go with it. More under Maypole Stealing.

Usually spruce or fir. For the small love maypole, a birch.

At the Viktualienmarkt in the old town. The 2022 tree was taken down in September 2026, and the new one is due to be raised on 9 May 2027. More on the page Maypole at the Viktualienmarkt.