The law in one paragraph
Under Section 1 of 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 in use or being built. There is no seasonal exemption for garden hedge cutting: if a nest is active, the work stops. The main nesting season runs 1 March to 31 August, though some species nest outside it.
Best months for each hedge type
Timing affects regrowth as much as legality.
- Leylandii and conifers — hard reductions from late September to February; light trims any time subject to nest checks
- Laurel — spring or late summer, cut with secateurs or a blade rather than shredding the leaves
- Privet — two or three light cuts through the growing season keeps it dense
- Beech and hornbeam — a single cut in August holds the winter leaf
- Native mixed hedgerow — winter only, ideally after berries have been taken
How we check before cutting
Every hedge job in season starts with a physical inspection of the hedge before any machine is started. If we find an active nest we leave a buffer around it and return for that section once the young have fledged. It's written into our own bird nesting policy and it's non-negotiable on our jobs.
Height reductions and neighbours
Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, evergreen hedges over two metres that block a neighbour's light can be the subject of a High Hedges complaint to the council. If you have received one, a documented reduction by a professional contractor is usually the quickest resolution.
Common questions
Can I cut my hedge in June?
Yes, provided there is no active nest in it. The hedge must be checked properly first, and work must stop if a nest is found.
How far can leylandii be reduced?
Leylandii will not regenerate from brown wood, so we reduce to green growth. Height can usually come down substantially; sides need care to avoid bare patches.
Do you take the arisings away?
Yes — everything is chipped and removed, and the site is swept before we leave.