Hedge Trimming

Hello all,

I know this topic has probably been discussed before, but using search I am either too blind or too much in a hurry to find those discussions.

I witnessed my two allotment neighbours having a little row yesterday evening when I was happily plotting along in my garden. Neighbour 1 was trimming his hedges, when neighbour 2 pointed out that hedges should not be trimmed between March and August. Neighbour 1 stated that as long as you don't cut deep into the hedge, the nesting birds are not bothered.

And this has me confused. What's your opinions on this?

My hedges need trimming, and I was thinking about doing it on the weekend. I'd happily leave it until the end of August though if that's what I have to do?

Thanks,
Mrs Tea

 

Hello John,

It is a completely mixed hedge with hawthorn, and I think there is even a maple tree growing in between. There is some holly and lilac. Whoever planted it wasn't really bother about what went in.

I am happy to leave the hedge for now, like I said it doesn't bother me at all that it is growing into the garden. I just became curious when my two neighbours nearly started WW3 over "to cut or not to cut" yesterday evening.

 

Hi John,

I think it is. We have lots of birds around and they next everywhere, even in my shed!

What upsets me is that my hedge, while I won't trim it from the inside, has been cut on the outside that grows into my neighbour's garden - if that makes sense?

Maybe I should approach him and ask him to wait with the next trim until the end of August.

 

I've always thought that if you disturb a nesting bird it wouldn't go back to that nest, i know it illegal to disturd nesting birds but it doesn't stop people shooting them