Gardeners who trim hedges over bank holiday weekend could face prison

Garden enthusiasts eager to tidy up their greenery with the sun shining might want to think twice - as they could risk jail time and an 'unlimited fine' if they fall foul of hedge trimming laws. With and a bank holiday on the horizon, many are rolling up their sleeves for some much-needed sprucing this weekend.

However, before you take shears to hedges, be mindful of both their growth and the law. Trimming farm hedgerows is specifically prohibited from April 1 until August 31, except under exceptional circumstances that call for a special licence.

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For householders looking to neaten their domestic shrubbery, while some trimming is legal now, any damage or destruction caused to bird nests, whether deliberate or accidental, could land you in hot water.

Wood Street Care Leicester has issued advice, stating: "You must avoid the bird nesting season, which runs from March to August. However, you can cut your hedges after new years day until the end of February."

They also warn: "It's illegal to cut your hedges during bird nesting season, which runs from March to August."

Clear guidelines indicate that not only is it detrimental to our feathered friends to trim during nesting season, but going ahead with cutting hedges over 20 metres high without council permission also breaks the rules.

Husqvana has issued a stark warning, stating: "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 (RSPB) echoes this sentiment, reports .

It says that a person is breaking that law if they intentionally damage a bird's nest while it's being used or built, and this applies to trimming hedges, saying: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it".

Breaking this law could land you an unlimited fine and six months in prison.

The RSPB adds: "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."