Hedge cutting and wildlife....

[bazzaboy]

Because of the rough weather lately I'm well behind with hedge trimming this year (not for the first time....) but am reminded that RSPB request no (major/power-tool) hedge-trimming or coppicing be undertaken from March 1st to late Summer (exact dates vary in different regions) in order to protect birds during their nesting/breeding season.

So under 3 weeks left to get that job finished.... "So many jobs, so little time!"

The RSPB: Conservation: Other rules for hedge trimming

[ginger ninger]

I hate to see all the hedges hacked away. Round here they were "Cutting" the hedgerow way back in the late Autumn. Which I thought was mad because that's when all the berries etc are ripening for the birds . But that's the council for ya

[bazzaboy]

lol, well I'm not exactly a council, g-n, more a struggling solo gardener but I know what you mean... Can't say my results are ever "square" or even exactly "neat" but I find border hedges do need some attention once a year (and a fair bit of mine is hawthorn which is mighty spiteful, an ancient tactic to deter intruders and mighty effective! ) As to the best time I agree that's worthy of a debate... Many people including farmers round here (North Midlands) seem to trim them in autumn once growth has slowed but there is a wildlife case for leaving until February (I tell myself every Autumn...) as they provide more secure sites for winter wildlife including insects which provide more food + berries etc. But for me tidying up the hedges is a sure sign that Spring is just about ready to spring..... And quite what to do with the heap of needle-sharp or evergreen cuttings the first imponderable of the new season.

[TonyF]

It's interesting that here in France hedges between houses have to be maintained as a certain height - it's actually an offence (no puns please) to have one about 2 metres and the hedges also have to be 2 metres from the boundary line, effectively a 4 metre space, to ensure that the hedges can be cut.

The hedge between us and our neighbours is way high atm and I have to cut it but I know it's full of birds nests. As I'm on the Council, it's unlikely that anything would be said and they're only in the house 6 weeks of the year, but I also should set an example.

But it's a loose-loose as far as I'm concerned, I really don't want to upset the nests but I don't really have an option, just delay for another week if I can.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Tony,

I think you will find that here in good old blighty there is some sort of bylaw that prohibits hedge or fence over 2 mtrs between dwellings.

Colin