September 9, 2025, 10:09 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Do you also get annoyed when you see people—whether discreetly or openly—urinating on trees? No one asked the plants themselves if they find it amusing. In the city forest of Frankfurt am Main, there’s a Norway maple that won’t stand for it: It pees back! Find out more at TRAVELBOOK.
Tree Turns the Tables and Pees Back
Peeing and the forest are two topics that are hard to separate. Not least because dogs are taken there to do their business. But it’s not just four-legged friends who need to go; humans might also feel the urge during long walks in the woods. However, you should know: Peeing in the forest is not allowed. If caught, you could face a fine ranging from 35 to 5,000 euros, depending on the state and situation. It can be particularly costly if you don’t discreetly disappear behind a tree but urinate directly on it. A tree in the city forest of Frankfurt am Main anticipates this scenario: It reacts when you get too close, with a strong jet of water. Its name is fittingly Pinkelbaum (Peeing Tree).
This German City Ranks Among the Best Travel Destinations in Europe for 2026
This City in Europe Is Still a True Hidden Gem
The Story of the Peeing Tree
The Peeing Tree is not a whim of nature. It is one of 15 humorous installations designed by various members of the New Frankfurt School, which can be found in the city’s popular greenbelt. They were created as part of the “Comic Art” project, launched in the early 1990s to enhance the recreational area around Frankfurt. Some of these installations are based on drawings by artist F. K. Waechter. These include a Struwwelpeter tree with eyes, an oversized green caterpillar in Riederwald, the “Monster Children” in Schwanheimer Forest—giant acorns made of wood—and the quirky Peeing Tree at Jacobiweiher. As noted on the City of Frankfurt’s website, Waechter donated his designs for “Comic Tree Art” to the city. The template for the Peeing Tree bears the fitting title: “For 300 years I’ve been peed on—starting today, I pee back.”
The Peeing Tree Is Now Famous
Anyone living in Frankfurt and who enjoys the green district is likely familiar with the Peeing Tree. But it has now gained fame beyond the city and even across national borders—reaching overseas. For instance, “Atlas Obscura,” a U.S.-based online travel guide and community platform for unusual places, experiences, and stories, featured it back in 2016. On Instagram, it is also a popular subject for posts. The Peeing Tree was erected in 2006, about a year after the death of cartoonist F. K. Waechter.
Speaking of erection: You might have wondered how the Peeing Tree lives up to its name. A pipe was installed in the trunk, and the tree is equipped with a motion sensor. When someone approaches the Peeing Tree—whether to actually relieve themselves or not—the jet is triggered. However, not in winter, as the mechanism is turned off to protect against frost.