Guides › Home Improvements and Traders › High Hedges and Overhanging Trees: Neighbour Disputes
High Hedges and Overhanging Trees: Neighbour Disputes
You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property from a neighbour's property, but only up to the boundary. If a hedge of two or more mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs is over 2 metres tall, you can ask the council for a complaint form, but you must try to settle it informally first and the council may charge a fee. Exact boundary disputes are difficult, so get legal advice.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Rights
Trimming
You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property from a neighbour's property or a public road, but only up to the property boundary. source
High Hedges
Ask your council for a complaint form if the hedge has 2 or more mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs and is over 2 metres tall. You must try to settle the dispute informally first, and you might have to pay the council a fee. source
Boundaries
Disputes about the exact boundary between two properties can be difficult to solve, so get legal advice. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 2 metresHigh hedge heightFor a council complaint
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Talk to your neighbour, then write a polite letter.
Step 2 of 5
Keep copies and photos of the hedge.
Step 3 of 5
Try mediation if talking fails.
Step 4 of 5
Ask the council for a high hedge complaint form.
Step 5 of 5
Get legal advice for boundary disputes.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Your Property Boundaries (GOV.UK)
Official guidance.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Check for tree preservation orders before cutting a protected tree.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/high-hedges-trees-and-boundaries Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/your-property-boundaries Checked 8 October 2026