Gardeners across the UK have been warned to ‘be mindful’ as they tackle their hedges this August, as they could face a hefty fine or even a prison sentence for trimming the wrong bush
15:59, 05 Aug 2025Updated 16:00, 05 Aug 2025
If you cut the wrong hedge, you could face jail or a hefty fine(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Gardeners are being urged to exercise extreme caution when maintaining their hedges this August, as they could face jail time or an ‘unlimited fine’ for breaching legislation.
With sunshine finally gracing us, countless gardeners have been capitalising on the chance to perform essential maintenance in their outdoor spaces, striving for that immaculately groomed appearance. Nevertheless, those intending to clip their hedges must weigh up not only the potential consequences on the plants’ flowering period but also the risk of violating environmental laws.
Between April 1 and August 31, trimming farm hedgerows is prohibited by law, save for extraordinary circumstances requiring a permit.
Certain hedges can only be cut at certain times of the year(Image: Getty Images)
This follows warnings to Brits never to dispose of one forbidden item in garden waste bins as it could result in penalties.
Whilst it’s acceptable to trim hedges in residential gardens during this timeframe, any damage inflicted upon bird nests, whether intentional or inadvertent, represents a legal breach.
Experts at Husqvarna explain: “Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is being built or in use.
“That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird’s nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed.”
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds supports this position. The law stipulates that a person breaches regulations if they intentionally damage a bird’s nest whilst it remains active or during construction, reports the Mirror.
This applies to hedge cutting, with official guidance stating: “The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it.”
You could be in serious trouble if you affect the birds nest(Image: Getty Images)
Violating this regulation could lead to an unlimited fine and a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment.
The RSPB stresses: “The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking.”
Wildlife experts Arbtech explain how the offence is prosecuted in practice. They stated: “Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England / Natural Resources Wales / Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question.
“Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs).
“Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both.”
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