Tree Work and Nesting Season: Our Advice

Tree Work and Nesting Season: What You Need to Know

Nesting season is now live, which means extra care is needed before any tree surgery or hedge cutting work goes ahead. Here's our advice on keeping your trees healthy — and staying on the right side of the law.

The law on nesting birds

In the UK, all wild birds and their active nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy an active nest, or to disturb birds while they're nesting. That means tree surgery and hedge cutting have to be planned around the nesting season.

When is nesting season?

Nesting season typically runs from March to August, though some species nest earlier or later. During this window we always carry out a careful nest check before any work begins.

Our approach

• Pre-work surveys — we inspect trees and hedges for active nests before starting
• Reschedule if needed — if we find an active nest, we hold off and return once the young have fledged
• Year-round planning — major reductions and felling are best scheduled outside nesting season where possible
• Emergency work — dangerous, dead or hazardous trees can still be made safe, with care and the right permissions

Advice for property owners

• Plan ahead — if you know trees or hedges need work, book it for late autumn to late winter where possible
• Don't wait until spring — nesting season limits what can be done, so get in early
• Ask the experts — if you're unsure whether work can go ahead, we'll assess the site and advise you honestly

Need tree work this season?

We can still carry out safe, legal tree surgery during nesting season where there are no active nests — and we'll always tell you if a job needs to wait. Get in touch for a free assessment and we'll guide you on the best timing for your trees.