Hedge cutting and nesting birds: when can you cut?

What the law says

In England and Wales, section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. That protection applies all year round, not only in spring. A few rarer species listed in Schedule 1 of the Act also have protection from being disturbed near the nest. Government guidance says the penalty can be an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison for each offence.

When the nesting season is

The Royal Horticultural Society says the main nesting season in the UK runs from early March to early August, but it can go on for longer. Government guidance on wild birds lists trimming or cutting hedges among the activities that can harm birds, and says the best way to avoid harm is to time the work to avoid the breeding season.

Can I cut my garden hedge in spring or summer?

Yes, a garden hedge can be trimmed during the nesting season, as long as no active nest is damaged or destroyed. That means checking the hedge carefully before and during the cut. If you find a nest that is in use or being built, leave that part of the hedge until the young birds have fledged. Formal hedges often need trimming more than once a year, so a light summer trim is common. It just needs care.

Garden hedges and farm hedgerows are different

You may have heard that hedges cannot be cut between 1 March and 31 August. That rule is part of the hedgerow management rules for hedgerows on or next to agricultural land. Hedges within a private garden, or marking its boundary, are exempt from those rules. The Wildlife and Countryside Act still applies to every hedge, though, so nests are protected whether the hedge is in a field or a front garden.

The best time to book hedge work

Lighter trims can be planned through the growing season with a careful nest check. Heavier work, such as reducing the height or width of an overgrown hedge, means cutting deep into the hedge where nests are hard to see, so it is best booked for autumn and winter, outside the main nesting season. If your hedge needs taking back hard, now is a good time to ask us for a free estimate.

Conifer hedges need extra thought

Leylandii and most other conifer hedges do not regrow from old, brown wood, so they cannot simply be cut back hard like beech or privet. If a conifer hedge has got out of hand, see our guide to leylandii and conifer hedges before deciding what to do.

Before any hedge is cut

• Look along and into the hedge for nests, and watch for birds flying in and out
• Leave any section with an active nest until the young have fledged
• Book heavy reductions for autumn and winter where you can
• Check whether any trees in the hedge are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or a conservation area