Do not ascend a tree on Shabbos – you might be tempted to detach a part of it. Do not hang on it, lean on it, or use it whether the tree is dead or alive. Some poskim are lenient about using a dead tree in the summer since everyone can see that it is dead. (ShA 1 – MB 1,2,5)
Examples of using a tree include putting an object on a branch, taking down an object from a branch, and putting a leash around a tree to secure an animal.(MB 3)
Just as you aren't allowed to ascend a tree, so too you are not allowed to ascend an animal on Shabbos. Nevertheless, if an object is on the back of an animal it may be removed.(ShaH 7)
Do not put items that will be used on Shabbos upon a tree even on Friday, lest you come to take them down from the tree on Shabbos.(MB 12)
If you climbed a tree on Shabbos b’shogeg you're allowed to come down. But if you ascended a tree on purpose knowing that it is forbidden, you may not come down until after Shabbos. This is a penalty.(ShA 1)
Other plants are allowed to be used on Shabbos unless they are stiff like a reed. Since reeds are easily broken do not use them.(Rama 1 – MB 15)
You aren't allowed to ascend the root of a tree. Even though there is no fruit or anything to detach from the root – lo ploog rabbonon.Therefore if the root is within three tefachim of the ground, it is considered part of the ground and you may step upon it.(ShA 2 – MB 19)
A section of a root within three tefachim of the ground is permitted even though other parts of the same root are above three tefachim.For that matter, the bottom (under) three tefachim of a tree trunk is likewise permitted to use.(ShA 2 – MB 21)
You are allowed to walk barefoot through long grass. Even if some grass becomes detached between your toes, you didn't intend for it.. However, running through such grass is ossur – it inevitably will pull up some grass. Walk slowly and gently through it.(ShA 3 – MB 24,25)
If you find pieces of grass stuck between your toes or in your shoe, do not remove them with your fingers. This grass is muktza.(MB 24)
Pouring water over a lawn (merely intending to wash your hands) is the melacha of Zoraya and Choresh. Zoraya because you stimulate growth and Choresh because you soften the earth. Even though you do not intend to irrigate, the result is inevitable. (ShA 3 )
Urinating on grass is allowed. Pouring strong wine on grass is also allowed. These liquids do not stimulate growth. Alcoholic beverages made with water **do** stimulate growth and may not be poured on the grass.(ShA 3 – MB 29)
It is best to be machmir not to serve meals with drinks in gardens. Spills are hard to avoid and they will water the vegetation. (Rama 3)
Be careful not to toss seeds onto saturated earth on Shabbos lest they sprout. (ShA 4 -MB 31)
If you have no intention to plant seeds, you may put them on the ground as long as they will be removed before they sprout (i.e. three days). Likewise, it is permitted to pour seeds for chickens where people will walk on them – that will stop the seeds from sprouting.(ShA 4 – MB 33)
Moss or fungus growing on a wet bucket is forbidden to be detached. It's the melacha of Kotzair since it's the derech for them to grow there.(ShA 5 – MB 34,35)
You are allowed to remove flowers and fragrant grasses from the soil provided that you put them in there before Shabbos just to keep them fresh and they have not taken root. Moving the muktza soil by means of the non-muktza flowers is permitted under the principle of tiltul min hatzad. (ShA 6 – MB 36,37)
It is ossur to water potted plants or to detach parts of them. (ShA 7 – MB 41)
Do not pick up a potted plant from the ground and put it on a raised level or vice versa. These actions affect the growth of the plant. (ShA 8 – MB 45)
Do not pick fruit off of a broken branch unless the branch is completely severed from the tree.(BeH “shenifshach”)
If a clogged pipe is causing a flood and damaging your house, you are allowed to push down the debris that clogs the pipe using a shinui. Bimkom p’sayda lo gozru rabonnon. However, this repair must be done in private. (ShA 9)
You are allowed to whiff fragrant plants and bushes on Shabbos. There is no concern that you will pick something. But do not whiff fragrant fruit. You may come to pick the fruit and eat it.( ShA 10 )
It is Zoraya to drop even one seed into water to stimulate germination.But to soak seeds to soften them for animal fodder is permitted as long as they do not melt into a glutinous mass (Losh). (ShA 11 – MB 51,52)
If you prepared water in a vase before Shabbos but just forgot to put the flowers in them, you are allowed to put the flowers in the water for the first time on Shabbos. Likewise you are allowed to return flowers to water on Shabbos. However, you aren’t allowed to switch the water nor add cold water. (Rama 11 – MB 54 -ShaH 48)
It is forbidden to put flowers into water on Shabbos if it will cause them to open. (Rama 11)
Never pick fruit or vegetables from trees and plants on Shabbos even if they appear to be dead and dried. (ShA 12 – MB 57)
Just as you aren't allowed to use a tree – so too you aren't allowed to use a peg stuck into a tree or a basket hanging from a tree – this is called tz’doday ho'ola. However, if you hang a basket on a peg stuck into the tree before Shabbos, you may use the basket by putting things in and out of the basket – this is called tziday tz’dodin. (ShA 13 – MB 63)
Touching a tree is allowed but do not move it. Therefore when using tziday tz’dodin, make sure you won't move the tree.(Rama 13 – MB 63)
A robust person is allowed to lean on a tree without moving it – it is assumed that he does not lean his entire weight upon it. A weak person leaning on a tree is considered mishtamaysh bimchubar and is ossur. (MB 63)