Cutting down tall bushes / small trees

[s1962a]

We're planning to relandscape our garden and plan to remove some tall bushes and plants to make a bit more space in the garden. These plants are used to provide privacy between the houses and some are in our garden and some in others. Are there any rules in cutting down these plants? I don't think we have any preservation orders against anything in our garden, but inevitably it will create a little less privacy for everyone.

Cheers

[Mr GrimNasty]

No, like you say, unless there's any TPOs, you can do what you want. But most people want to improve visual and acoustic privacy - and mature plants certainly help there. If you have a look how much it costs to buy mature shrubs/trees, you might feel more inclined to keep more of them in your new design.

[giw12]

s1962a said:

We're planning to relandscape our garden and plan to remove some tall bushes and plants to make a bit more space in the garden. These plants are used to provide privacy between the houses and some are in our garden and some in others. Are there any rules in cutting down these plants? I don't think we have any preservation orders against anything in our garden, but inevitably it will create a little less privacy for everyone.

Cheers

You can't cut anything down that's doesn't have its roots in your land. You can cut anything overhanging if it belongs to a neighbour but legally you have to offer them the cuttings before you dispose of them.

Also, from experience, think long and hard about cutting down something that affords privacy. They can take a very long time to grow back if you discover you feel a bit open.

[D5M]

There are no rules but a word of advice - I would do this in the winter. You might find that if you heavily prune now, come the winter it's more barren than you'd envisaged. Lightly prune in the spring/summer, heavily prune in the winter would be your safest bet if you're worrying about privacy etc