Britons warned to cut back garden hedges right now or risk a hefty fine (Image: Getty)
Gardening jobs can seem endless no matter how much time you spend whittling through a long to-do list.
While some can be done all year round, like sowing seeds and planting various and , others are much more timely – like cutting hedges.
Unlike and , which should be done at certain times of the year solely to protect the , hedge cutting is tied to a much more pressing matter.
UK law governs hedges and the land-owners responsible for them, determining when it is legal to cut hedgerows.
According to Luke Dejahang, expert and CEO of Crown Pavilions, Britons are being warned to get the job done in a matter of days before a pressing deadline looms.
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In the UK it is illegal to cut hedgerows between March 1 and August 31 (Image: Getty)
He told experts at Shutterly Fabulous: “Overgrown hedges and trees can significantly impact the enjoyment of one’s property, leading to disputes between neighbours. It’s important for homeowners to be aware of local regulations and to communicate openly with their neighbours to resolve these issues amicably.”
Luke referred to the height of garden hedges as an issue among property owners, which is why cutting them back is important.
While there is no specific maximum height for hedges set by law, a hedge is generally considered “high” if it is more than two metres tall and is causing a problem, such as blocking light to a neighbour’s property.
As outlined in the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act, if a hedge exceeds two metres in height and blocks light or negatively impacts a neighbour’s property, the affected neighbour can file a complaint with their local council.
Fines for obstructions of light start at £500 and go up significantly depending on the severity of the obstruction and the local council’s regulations. But the consequences are much worse if Britons don’t act quickly to trim their garden hedges.
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Last year, the UK introduced regulations aimed at protecting nesting birds. As a result, it became illegal to cut hedgerows on agricultural land between March 1 and August 31 unless it can be confirmed that no birds are present, as this coincides with their nesting season.
Gardeners who have not cut their hedgerows are against the clock before March. The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 protects nesting birds in garden hedges.
The Woodland Trust explains the benefits of being a last-minute gardener. It suggests that waiting for late winter helps birds and mammals rely on the fruit to survive winter.
Additionally, early emerging insects that rely on spring flowers are protected by cutting being delayed until late February. The Woodland Trust says moths and other animals can shelter in large hedges until trimmed.
As for how the plant benefits, pruning while trees and shrubs are dormant means they won’t get “stressed out” by being re-shaped.
How to trim a hedge
While bird nesting season starts in March, it is important to check your hedge thoroughly before any trimming, no matter what time of year you plan on pruning it.
Signs of birds nesting in your hedges include lots of bird activity – you may see them flying in and out of your hedge. Other common indicators include a visible nest or nesting materials like twigs, feathers, grass, and leaves in or near the hedge.
Move the hedge trimmer at a slow, stable pace, starting from the bottom and working your way up to the top. Trim the sides of the hedge or bush at an angle so it’s wider at the bottom and slightly narrower at the top.
To carve out a flat top, hold the hedge trimmer perfectly level and slowly guide it left to right, then right to left.