When trimming your own hedges near property lines where you don’t need the consent and cooperation of your neighbor, it is crucial to avoid encroaching onto their property. Even when unintentional, trespassing onto another person’s property can lead to heated legal disputes., Trimming a hedge and killing chicks might lead to fines if you’re caught, so best avoid taking the risk in the first place! In the United States, each State has different set-ups regarding environmental protection laws., You can use handheld secateurs to trim hedges, as this is less invasive. However, you could still break the law if you cut a lot of hedge growth and still disturb a bird's nest., 🌱 Only from 1 october to 28 february you can cut or clear your hedges in the garden. When cut in the spring and summer, however, threatens a hefty fine, according to federal nature conservation act. What exactly this law means for garden owners, read in our article., The key takeaway is that the owner of the boundary hedge is responsible for its maintenance and pruning. The neighbor whose space is being impacted cannot prune the hedge themselves without risking legal consequences. In most cases, a dialogue between neighbors can help resolve the issue amicably., And yes, you may be legally allowed to trim the overgrown hedge to your property line, based on your local laws. However, it's not a great idea to do so without speaking to your neighbor first..