Many people will have been out in the garden over the weekend, but there’s a little known law that could see you hit with a hefty fine or even a prison sentence if you’re not careful
Garden owners are being warned not to trim their hedges in June, as it could result in an ‘unlimited fine’ and potentially six months behind bars. A lesser-known law regarding hedges and hedgerows in the UK is in effect from March until August.
Despite many likely unintentionally breaking this law over the sunny weekend by getting out their hedge trimmers and secateurs, gardeners could still face penalties due to this obscure environmental regulation. Farm hedgerows are legally protected from being cut between April 1 and August 31, a measure put in place to safeguard nesting birds.
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While it’s technically permissible to trim certain types of domestic garden hedges during this period, if it results in damage or destruction to a bird’s nest – whether intentional or not – you’re still infringing upon the law, reports the Express.
Wood Street Care Leicester warns: “It’s illegal to cut your hedges during bird nesting season, which runs from March to August.
“Trimming your hedge during bird nesting season can harm or destroy nests, which is detrimental to the birds. It’s also illegal to trim hedges on your property if they’re taller than 20 metres without permission from the local council.”
Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s a crime to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is under construction or in use.
This is further supported by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The law is clear: “Wilfully damaging a bird’s nest in use or under construction, which also extends to trimming hedges, is a legal offence. The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it”.
Violating this ruling could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months behind bars.
The RSPB emphasises: “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.”