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SOME AREAS BAN THE PRACTICE, WITH THE RECOMMENDED NO-TRIM PERIOD LASTING UNTIL AUGUST Have a hedge in your garden in France that needs trimming? You will need to do it within the next few
days or risk receiving a heavy fine if left until after the annual ban on trimming hedges comes into effect. Trimming a hedge from the weekend of 15/16 March can result in a fine in some
regions of France. Precise dates can vary by region so for rules local to you it is advised to check with your mairie. This is because there is a risk to birds and other nesting animals
which start to nest and have young in the hedges as spring approaches. In theory, there is no nationwide law imposing a ‘ban’ for individuals, such bans only technically apply to farmers
(according to the Politique agricole commune, PAC). However, municipalities are able to issue local regulations leading to bans and sanctions for individuals if they so choose. According to
Article L-411-1 of the Code de l’environnement the destruction or cutting of the habitat of some species is prohibited. Sanctions for farmers and corporations can be as high as €150,000, and
three months in prison. Individuals who do not respect prefectoral decrees in place are liable to a fine of €750. If an officer from the biodiversity agency l’Office français de la
biodiversité (OFB) finds any trace of an animal presence that has been destroyed, such as broken eggs or a nest, a penalty may be imposed. Read also: Homeowners asked to pause cutting garden
hedges in France NO TRIMMING RECOMMENDED Even in regions that do not levy fines for individuals, both bird protection association la Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux (LPO) and the OFB
recommend that hedges are no longer cut back nor trees pruned during the entire period to protect nests. “To avoid disturbing or dislodging birds during this crucial period in their life
cycle, the OFB recommends not trimming hedges or pruning trees from 15 March to 31 July,” it states. Some of the main bird species concerned include: * Blackbird * Common chiffchaff *
European greenfinch * European robin * Common linnet * Eurasian collared dove Hedgehogs can also nest at the bottom of hedges and in grass, so care should be taken when mowing lawns or
tidying undergrowth, the LPO warns. Read also: Explained: French garden rules on cleaning, bonfires, planting and more Read more: Obligatory garden clearance in France: New campaign
clarifies who is impacted Read also: Can I get help meeting France’s mandatory garden clearance rules?