If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This may prohibit certain types of tree pruning or removal until the nesting season is over. Removing dense hedges or substantially reducing them would be illegal, but annual trimming may be acceptable.
Can I cut my hedge to stop birds nesting?
Hi Maddy. you should find that the birds will nest near the middle of the hedge, so the cutting should not be a worry, try to cut after breeding season, its alway good to keep on good terms with your neighbours, they can force you to cut your hedge ( well the council can ) what kind of hedge is it? Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now.
Is it illegal to cut down a bird's nest?
Hi Maddy, you are doing the right thing trimming when you know there are no nesting birds. It is a criminal offence to distrurb birds or their nests in the breeding season so it is best to stay on the safe side and leave it during that time.
Is it legal to cut hedges in the breeding season?
There is no law to prevent hedges or trees being cut at a particular time of year so in theory they could be cut in the breeding season. However, birds nests are protected all year round so if there is an active nest at any time of year then it can't be trimmed if the nest would be damaged.
Can I cut my neighbours Hedges?
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.
When can you not cut hedges in UK?
Currently, farmers and landowners are prevented from trimming hedges during six months, between 1 March and 1 September to protect nesting birds as part of EU legislation.
When can you cut hedges UK birds?
Although within the WCA no dates are legally stated between which hedges cannot be trimmed, cut, laid or coppiced, the main bird breeding season is recognised as being between 1 March and 31 July.
When can you cut down hedges?
When to trim hedges. New hedges require formative pruning for their first couple of years after planting. Formative pruning is usually carried out in winter or early spring. After this, maintenance trimming is carried out, usually once a year for informal hedges and twice a year for formal hedges.
Is it illegal to cut down trees in nesting season?
If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This may prohibit certain types of tree pruning or removal until the nesting season is over. Removing dense hedges or substantially reducing them would be illegal, but annual trimming may be acceptable.
Are birds still nesting in hedges?
The bird breeding season, 1 March to 31 July, should always be avoided: nearly every hedgerow in the country will have birds breeding in it during this time. Some birds continue breeding into August. All wild birds, their young, their eggs and active nests are protected under law.
How do I report illegal hedge cutting?
If you see what you suspect to be a hedge-cutting offence you can report it to your local NPWS office (see www.npws.ie/contact-us) or your local Garda station.
Is it illegal to cut hedges in March?
You should not cut or trim hedges or trees between the dates of March 1st and September 1st without a derogation. You may only apply for a derogation if you plan to cut hedges before any new grass ley or oil seed rape is sown in the Autumn.
Can my Neighbour cut my hedge down without permission?
Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary. If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don't like the way it looks, it's up to you whether you do the work.
Will the presence of birds or bats make any difference to my tree work?
If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This can delay work until the nesti...
Do I need permission to have work carried out on my trees?
It is essential to consider Tree Preservation Orders when planning some work. Searches can be made online or we can undertake these for you if you...
Why do I need to employ a tree surgeon?
Tree surgery is a highly skilled and potentially very dangerous occupation, not to mention the significant risk of damaging your trees……
How much does tree surgery cost?
Our tree surgeon costs do not have a minimum charge, unlike other London tree surgeons, and we do not have an hourly charge, as each tree and site...
Can trees damage my property?
Trees should be regarded as real assets to our homes, however, occasionally they can cause problems to nearby (about 1.5m) structures. If you are c...
When is the best time of year to have work done to my trees and hedges?
It is recommended that trees are worked on after leaf fall and before bud burst, however is not true for all species and we can give you a written...
Do mature trees need special care?
Regular maintenance ensures continued health and preventing a problem costs less than curing one once it has developed, whatever the age of the tree….
How can I tell if I have a dangerous tree?
It is a property owner’s responsibility to ensure his/her trees are in safe condition. Assessments should be done by qualified arboricultural cons...
What can I do if my neighbour’s trees are causing me problems?
You can prune or remove any branches on your side as long as you don’t damage the tree. TPOs may need to be considered. You must also offer the d...
Hedge Cutting & The Law
The law protects some mature hedges, but this would not apply to garden hedges. During the breeding season for the nesting birds that typically lasts between March and August every year, it is advisable to avoid hedge cutting.
Shared Responsibility
Disagreements with the neighbours are typically related to the hedge’s cleanliness and size, and cutting of the hedge, especially in the breeding period. The boundary hedge is a shared responsibility of the two neighbours. The two of you must agree on the primary job, including removing, laying, or coppicing.
What act protects nesting birds in hedges?
Nesting birds in hedges are also protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Whilst a wild bird is building or using its nest, any damage or destruction it might suffer is an offence under this act.
How tall should a hedge be before cutting?
There is a surprising amount of legislation surrounding a hedge. The height of a hedge, for example, is restricted to two metres tall if it causes loss of light to a neighbouring property.
When is mixed hedge trimmed?
It might be worth considering our Bird Friendly Mixed Hedging if you want to take your interest up a notch or two. And it’s meant to be trimmed after August so there’s definitely no chance of disturbing any nesting birds.
What animals live in the bottom of the pond?
Beetles, woodlice, centipedes, shrews, field mice, millipedes, wrens, dunnocks and blackbirds can be found in the bottom. Robins and finches will inhabit the middle berth; spiders and Thrushes and Tits will favour the top.
What is the closed season on hedge cutting?
The closed season on hedge-cutting, adopted under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, recognises the importance of conserving hedgerows.
What is the purpose of the legislation?
The legislation makes provision for works (other than road or other construction works) to be carried out for reasons of public health and safety under the authority of any Minister or a body established by statute that lead to the destruction of vegetation.
What trees make up the last 10% of hedgerows?
Trees such as rowan, crab apple, silver birch, aspen and wych elm could make up the last 10% of the hedgerow.
When was section 40 of the Wildlife Acts passed?
It is the policy of the Minister to prosecute for offences under section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 and successful prosecutions have been taken under this section in recent years.
Is it necessary to work on hedgerows outside of the period?
It is important that, where possible, necessary work to hedgerows is carried out outside this period. It is possible in most cases to schedule and carry out necessary work to hedgerows outside this period.
Is it illegal to cut hedgerows?
Explained: When and why it is illegal to cut hedgerows. It is estimated that hedgerows cover approximately 1.5% of the land area of Ireland. The closed season on hedge-cutting, adopted under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, recognises the importance of conserving hedgerows.
Is it legal to nest in a hedge?
If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This can delay work until the nesting season is over.
Can you cut down a tree with a nest in it?
If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This may prohibit certain types of tree pruning or removal until the nesting season is over. Removing dense hedges or substantially reducing them would be illegal, but annual trimming may be acceptable.
When is it illegal to disturb a nest?
However, we are far more likely to come across nests during the nesting season, which is between the beginning of March and the end of August in the UK. Due to milder winters, this can start even earlier. Of course, the operative word in ...
When is the best time to take out a hedge?
So, how to avoid disturbing nests while also keeping your garden well maintained? It’s all a matter of timing and planning ahead. Winter, when everything is dormant, is the best time to take out any trees or hedges. The same for big cutbacks and heavy pruning which are best done around January.
What is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981?
It is an offence under 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, or to intentionally kill, injure or take chicks or adults, or intentionally take or destroy any eggs. So how does this law relate to cutting hedges?
What is the law on hedges?
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.
Can you cut a hedge in the breeding season?
Hello Maddy, hedge cutting is a tricky issue. There is no law to prevent hedges or trees being cut at a particular time of year so in theory they could be cut in the breeding season. However, birds nests are protected all year round so if there is an active nest at any time of year then it can't be trimmed if the nest would be damaged.
Can birds nest in the middle of hedges?
you should find that the birds will nest near the middle of the hedge, so the cutting should not be a worry, try to cut after breeding season, its alway good to keep on good terms with your neighbours, they can force you to cut your hedge ( well the council can ) what kind of hedge is it?
Can you print out a hedge trimming law?
As to what has been mentioned here about the law about trimming hedges, yes a printout handed to your neighbour would be a good idea too.
Is it a crime to trim a nesting bird?
Hi Maddy, you are doing the right thing trimming when you know there are no nesting birds. It is a criminal offence to distrurb birds or their nests in the breeding season so it is best to stay on the safe side and leave it during that time.
Is it intentional to cut a hedge?
It will be an intentional act, for example, if you or your neighbour know there is an active nest in the hedge and still cut the hed ge, damaging or destroying the nest in the process.
