Is it illegal to cut a hedge in bird nesting season?
Not in itself. There is no law banning hedge trimming in a private garden in spring or summer. What the law protects is the birds. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or used.
The RSPB advises avoiding hedge and tree cutting from March to August, the main nesting season. In practice, a light trim in summer is fine if you check carefully first. A hard cut back or removing a hedge is best left for autumn and winter.
How do I check a hedge for nests before cutting?
A few minutes of watching saves a lot of trouble. Before any spring or summer trim, a good gardener will do the following.
- Watch the hedge quietly for ten minutes. Birds flying in and out with food or nesting material are a clear sign.
- Look and listen for chicks, especially in dense privet, laurel and conifer hedges.
- Check the top and the inside of the hedge, not just the face.
- If you find an active nest, leave that section uncut until the young have fledged.
- Plan hard pruning and reductions for October to February instead.
Can I cut my neighbour's hedge where it hangs over my garden?
Yes. In England you have a common law right to cut back branches and hedge growth that overhang your boundary, as far as the boundary line. You do not need your neighbour's permission for that.
There are limits. You cannot go onto their land or lean over to cut their side without permission. You must not kill or seriously damage the hedge. The cuttings technically belong to your neighbour, so the polite approach is to offer them back, although most people are happy for you to dispose of them. And it is always better to have a friendly word first.
Do Tree Preservation Orders or conservation areas affect hedges?
Ordinary garden hedges are rarely protected, but individual trees within or next to a hedge can be. A Tree Preservation Order makes it an offence to cut, top, lop or remove a protected tree without the council's consent.
In a conservation area, you must give the council six weeks' notice before working on most trees with a trunk more than 75mm across, measured 1.5 metres above the ground. Parts of Ealing, Pinner, Ruislip and Harrow include conservation areas, so check with your council if you are unsure. A professional should ask before starting.
What can I do about a neighbour's high hedge?
If a neighbour's hedge is blocking light to your house or garden, start with a conversation and then a polite letter. If that does not work, Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 lets you complain to your local council.
The rules apply to a hedge made up wholly or mainly of a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs, over 2 metres tall, that acts as a barrier to light or access and affects your reasonable enjoyment of your property. Leylandii is the classic example.
- You must show that you have tried to settle the dispute yourself first.
- The council charges a fee for a formal decision, set by each council. Hillingdon, for example, lists a fee of around £700, with concessions for some residents.
- If the complaint is upheld, the council can issue a notice requiring the hedge to be reduced and kept lower.
- The council cannot order a hedge to be cut below 2 metres or removed completely.
How often should a garden hedge be cut?
Most formal hedges such as privet, laurel, beech and hawthorn look best with one or two trims a year. A late summer trim, once nesting has finished, keeps the shape through winter. Fast growers like privet and leylandii may need a second cut.
Leylandii should never be cut back into brown wood, as it will not regrow. If a conifer hedge has got out of hand, a reduction in height is possible, but the sides need careful planning.
When should I call in a professional for hedge work?
Tall hedges need towers or platforms, and long hedges produce a lot of waste. If your hedge is over head height, borders a road, or you need it reduced in height, a professional team is safer and quicker.
Our hedge cutting and tree work covers Northolt, Greenford, Stanmore, Ickenham and the rest of West London, with all cuttings taken away. We are fully insured and check for nests before every spring and summer cut. Call 07703 040203 for a free visit.
Questions people ask
Can I cut my hedge in April or May?
You can, but you must not damage or destroy an active bird's nest, which is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The RSPB advises avoiding cutting from March to August. If you do trim, check thoroughly for nests first and leave any section with a nest alone.
Can I cut my neighbour's hedge on my side?
Yes, you can cut back overhanging growth up to your boundary line without permission. You cannot enter their garden or cut their side without consent, and you must not kill the hedge. Offer the cuttings back to your neighbour or agree how they will be disposed of.
What counts as a high hedge for a council complaint?
Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, a high hedge is a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs over 2 metres tall that blocks light or access and affects your reasonable enjoyment of your home. Deciduous hedges and single trees are not covered.
How much does a high hedge complaint cost?
Each council sets its own fee. In West London fees are commonly several hundred pounds; Hillingdon lists around £700, with concessions for some residents. Councils expect you to try to settle the dispute with your neighbour before making a formal complaint.
Do I need permission to cut a tree in a conservation area?
Usually yes. In a conservation area you must give the council six weeks' notice before cutting or removing most trees with a trunk over 75mm in diameter, measured 1.5 metres above ground. Trees with a Tree Preservation Order need formal consent before any work.
Karol Antolak
Owner of A.K. Gardening Specialist in Northolt. Looking after gardens across West London since 2006. Fully insured, DBS checked.
