Cut back an overgrown hedge

Check for tree orders and nesting birds, then cut an overgrown hedge back safely using hand tools and an electric trimmer.

HG-01Check if the hedge or any tree in it is protectedAsk your council whether the hedge, or any tree growing within it, is covered by a Tree Preservation Order or sits in a conservation area. Working on a tree with a Tree Preservation Order without the council's consent is a criminal offence, and so is working on a tree in a conservation area without giving the council six weeks' written notice first, even for routine hedge trimming. See HomeGraft's guide 'Can I cut down or prune a tree with a tree preservation order?' before you go any further.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

TPO trees need the council's consent, and trees in a conservation area need six weeks' written notice first. Skipping either is a criminal offence. Check first.

HG-02Check carefully for active birds' nestsWalk the full length of the hedge and look inside for nests before you touch it. The main UK nesting season runs roughly March to August, and it's an offence to damage or destroy an active nest, so avoid cutting during this period if you find one. If the hedge must be cut in season and you're not sure, leave that section until later in the year.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

It's an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to damage or destroy an active bird's nest. Check before cutting, especially March to August.

HG-03Gather tools and set up a safe work areaYou'll need hand shears or loppers for thick growth, an electric hedge trimmer for the bulk of the cut, and a pruning saw for anything too thick for the trimmer. Plug the trimmer into an RCD-protected socket or use an RCD adaptor, and run the cable over your shoulder, away from the blade. Lay a tarpaulin or old sheet along the base of the hedge to catch cuttings and save on clear-up.

1 each · Electric hedge trimmer

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1 each · RCD plug-in adaptor

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1 each · Garden loppers

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1 each · Hand shears

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1 each · Pruning saw

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1 each · Tarpaulin or dust sheet

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1 pair · Heavy-duty gardening gloves

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HG-04Decide what's safe to cut yourselfThis job is hand tools and an RCD-protected trimmer only, worked from the ground or a stable hedge-cutting platform — never a ladder. If any part of the hedge is taller than about head height to the top of the cut, has branches thicker than your forearm, or grows near power lines, a building or a road, stop and call a tree surgeon for that part. Mark off or skip any section that doesn't meet this, and only work on what you can safely reach.

HG-05Cut the sides firstStart at the base and work upwards, holding the trimmer so the blade runs roughly parallel to the hedge face. Angle the cut slightly inwards as you go up, so the hedge is a little narrower at the top than the bottom — this lets light reach the lower growth. Work in short, steady passes rather than forcing the trimmer through thick stems.

HG-06Level the topSet up a string line between two canes at your chosen height to guide a straight cut. Work along the top in a sweeping motion, keeping the trimmer flat and checking the line as you go. Use the pruning saw for any single stems too thick for the trimmer to cut cleanly.

2 each · Garden canes

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1 roll · String line

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HG-07Deal with any growth overhanging a neighbour's gardenYou're allowed to cut branches back to the boundary line from your own side, but you must not go onto the neighbour's land without permission, and you shouldn't cut in a way that kills the tree. Offer the cuttings back to your neighbour, as they technically remain their property. If the problem is the other way round — your neighbour's hedge overhanging or blocking light — see HomeGraft's guide on the high hedge rules instead of cutting it yourself.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

You can cut overhanging branches back to the boundary from your own side, but cuttings belong to the tree's owner and you can't enter their land without permission.

HG-08Clear and dispose of the cuttingsGather the tarpaulin in from the edges to bundle the cuttings, then check the base of the hedge for any missed branches or tools. Compost soft green waste if your council collects it, or take woody cuttings to a recycling centre — most councils won't take hedge trimmings in general waste bins.

2 each · Garden waste bags

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HG-09Clean and store your toolsWipe sap and plant debris off the trimmer blades and shears with a dry cloth, then lightly oil the blades to stop rust. Unplug the trimmer and coil the cable loosely for storage. Check gloves and tools for damage before putting everything away.

1 bottle · Light machine oil

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KNOW THE RULES

Before you start: What can I do about a neighbour's high hedge?

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