It is not a public structure but a declaration of love in wood, and it follows its own charming rules.
What a love maypole is
The love maypole is a young, decorated birch that a young man secretly sets up on the night of 1 May outside the house or window of the one he admires. Colourful ribbons and often a heart with her name are part of it. Unlike the large village maypole, it is a private gesture.
How long it stands
The love maypole usually stays up through the whole of May and is taken down again in early June. In many areas the family of the admired one then hosts the suitor for a small refreshment, and in some places there is a kiss or a little reward on top.
The leap year
In leap years the custom is reversed: then the young women set up the love maypole for the men. This keeps the custom in motion and gives both sides the role of the wooer.
The birch
Why a birch? It is the classic spring tree, bright, delicate and quick to turn green. For the large village maypole, by contrast, spruce or fir is used, as described on the page about buying a maypole. For the symbolism of the tree overall, see the page on meaning.