Tree Surveys Devon: Why Late August Is a Tricky Time for Tree and Hedge Work

Trying to get an overgrown hedge or an awkward tree sorted before autumn sets in is a familiar late-summer job for homeowners across Torquay and South Devon. But this is also the tail end of a period when the law puts extra care on what tree surgeons and gardeners can and can’t do, and it catches plenty of people out.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s an offence to intentionally damage, destroy or disturb an active bird’s nest, and the main nesting season runs broadly from March through to the end of August. Anyone found to have disturbed an active nest can face an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison, regardless of whether the tree work itself was otherwise perfectly legal.

The good news is that it isn’t a blanket ban on all tree or hedge work during these months. The law is about protecting nests that are actually in use, so as long as a proper check is carried out first and no active nests are found, work can still go ahead. September through to February remains the most straightforward window for pruning and hedge cutting, once the season has fully closed.

This is exactly why a proper tree survey or health assessment before work begins matters, particularly for anything more than light trimming. A qualified tree surgeon knows what to look for, can spot an active nest that an untrained eye would miss, and can advise on whether it’s safe to proceed now or worth waiting a few weeks.

Topp Tree Care is an ARB-approved contractor covering tree surgery, tree surveys and garden maintenance across Torquay, Exeter, Plymouth and the wider South Devon area. If you’ve got hedge or tree work on your list this month, visit topptreecare.co.uk for a survey and honest advice on timing.