Hedge Cutting

Hedge Cutting & Maintenance

We can provide a comprehensive service to meet your hedge cutting needs.

Our hedge services include:

  • Trimming

  • Re-shaping

  • Reduction

  • Removal

  • Re-planting

When to cut your hedge

We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. This can be weather dependent and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.

It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built and therefore it is important to take this into account when deciding when to have maintenance done to your hedge.

Things to take into account:

  • New hedges require formative pruning for the first couple of years in order to generate the required shape. This is usually carried out in the spring or in winter.

  • Informal hedges are usually cut back once a year between March and September, providing there are no nesting birds.

  • Formal hedges and those with rapid growth (e.g. Privet and Conifer hedges) require cutting back 2-3 times a year to maintain their desired shape.

Boundary Hedges

A boundary hedge is usually the joint responsibility of both neighbours. Both must agree on major work, including removal, coppicing or laying.

In theory, you need your neighbours' agreement even before trimming the hedge. If the hedge is just inside your neighbours' garden, they own it. You only have the right to trim any part which encroaches over your boundary line. Your neighbour should ask for your permission for access to trim the hedge on your property.

High Hedges

High hedge legislation was included in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 as they can obstruct light and become so overbearing that they are considered anti-social. A high hedge is defined as a hedge over 2m tall consisting mainly of evergreens and or semi-evergreens and the legislation allows neighbours to insist on it being cut back without having to involve legal help.

Hedges along public roads and footpaths

If your hedge is restricting the width of the pavement or road then the council may ask you to cut them back and if the owner does not comply, serve a formal notice. The owner could also face legal action if a member of the public is injured due to the hedges condition.

More info see RHS link: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=408

We are always happy to discuss individual needs so please contact us via the website contact us form and we’ll do what we can to help.