Wildlife in trees and hedges

Trees and hedges can be an important home for wildlife. Some animals that are often found using them are protected - it is illegal to disturb, damage or destroy a bat roost or any active bird nest.

If birds or bats are using your trees or hedges, you should obtain a survey from an ecological consultant in order to confirm it is safe to do the work before any tree or hedge cutting is carried out. You may need to apply for a license to do your proposed tree work. Find a local ecological consultant.

Correctly managed hedgerows can provide valuable shelter, nest sites and food sources for a wide range of animals and birds. Hedgelink provides a guide to managing hedges for farmland birds.

For more information about bat conservation, visit the Bat Conservation Trust website.