Anyone who cuts their hedge without first familiarizing themselves with the legal requirements risks a fine. Because this is not permitted all year round.
If you want to trim your hedge to a larger extent, you will have to wait until late autumn or winter next. Because the legislator has set very precise deadlines as to when hedge trimming is permitted and when not. These specifications primarily serve to protect the birds, which prefer to breed in hedges. This guide reveals what all hobby gardeners need to know about the deadlines for permissible hedge trimming.
When is hedge trimming not allowed?
The Federal Nature Conservation Act pronounces a general ban on cutting off hedges or shortening them to just above the ground for the period from March 1st to September 30th. This regulation also applies to bushes and other trees and shrubs. A comprehensive cut is therefore not permitted in the time window mentioned. Anyone who violates this law commits an administrative offense that can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros.
Be careful with a light care or topiary cut
Less extensive care and shape cuts are permitted all year round. But even with this milder type of pruning, caution is advised from the beginning of March to the end of September. Since birds, as already mentioned, like to nest in hedges, bushes and the like, it is important to show consideration for the animals even when pruning is permitted.
Before reaching for the scissors, all hobby gardeners should therefore check to what extent there is already a nest in the bush or hedge. If a nest can be identified, the pruning should ideally be postponed for several weeks so as not to unnecessarily disturb the birds during the breeding season.
Hedge trimming may be mandatory
Pruning the hedge in good time is especially important for all homeowners who may even be obliged to trim their hedge. This can be the case, for example, with semi-detached and terraced houses or with detached houses if your own hedge grows too much on the neighbor's side.
When cutting hedges, traffic safety has priority over bird protection. If a storm damage, for examplemeans that a hedge has to be trimmed more extensively or removed completely between March and September for traffic safety reasons, this is permitted. Nevertheless, in such a case it makes sense to get permission from the responsible nature conservation authority to be on the safe side.
Different rules for trees
When pruning, it is extremely important to differentiate between trees and hedges. The various communities in Germany have their own rules. If a tree is to be severely pruned or even felled, this is only permitted with a permit in many parts of Germany, depending on the height of the plant. If you are unsure, it is better to ask the responsible local authorities before you reach for the hedge trimmer or saw.