Height can usually be brought down. Whether it can be brought down as far as you want depends almost entirely on the species.
Most hedges can be reduced in height, but the species sets the limit. Deciduous hedges and yew regrow from old wood; most other conifers do not, so a reduction on leylandii can only go as far as the green growth.
If it is a neighbour's hedge, there is a formal route through the council for evergreen hedges over two metres that block light — but a conversation first is faster, cheaper and usually works.
| Situation | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Your hedge | Reduce it as you like, subject to species limits and nesting birds |
| Neighbour's hedge, growth over your side | You may generally cut back to the boundary line |
| Neighbour's hedge, too tall on their side | You cannot cut it — but the high hedge process may apply |
| Shared or boundary hedge | Agree jointly; it is usually cheaper to share one visit |
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Where a neighbour's evergreen or semi-evergreen hedge of more than two metres is blocking light to your property, and you genuinely cannot resolve it between you, local authorities have a formal complaint process. Bristol City Council, like other councils, can consider a complaint and can require the hedge owner to reduce it.
This page is general guidance rather than legal advice. Your local authority is the authority on any specific high hedge complaint, and on the fee and process that apply.
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Most can, but the species sets the limit. Deciduous hedges and yew regrow from old wood; most other conifers do not, so a leylandii reduction can only go as far as the green growth.
There is no general height limit on your own hedge, but evergreen hedges over two metres that block a neighbour's light can be the subject of a formal high hedge complaint to the council.
Where an evergreen hedge over two metres blocks light and neighbours cannot resolve it, the council can consider a complaint and require a reduction. You must show you tried to resolve it first, and councils charge a fee.
You may generally cut growth that crosses onto your side, back to the boundary. You cannot cut the rest of it, and the cuttings remain theirs.
Take it seriously early. A voluntary reduction is far cheaper than a formal process, may improve your own light, and the cost is often shared.
Deciduous hedges green up within a season. Conifers may not if the cut went past the green growth, and a base shaded out for years often stays sparse.
Late summer or early autumn usually, once nesting has finished and growth has slowed.
No. It applies to a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs.
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