Winter is an excellent time to prune trees, hedges and shrubs before the bird nesting season kicks off in Spring.
It’s especially important to check any trees, hedges or shrubs you have that are alongside a public footpath or highway as hedges or shrubs and trees that overgrow a footpath can seriously inconvenience and even endanger pedestrians forcing them into the road or even causing injury – a poke in the face from a branch is no joke! You should also check for and remove any low hanging branches from trees that could potentially impede or injure a passerby. Remember you are responsible for ensuring that your plants, trees, shrubs and hedges do not encroach beyond your boundary line, especially if this affects the use of the road or path.
If you are thinking of planting new trees, shrubs or hedges then check what the eventual width will be – you may need to plant further back from the boundary than you thought.
So be a good neighbour and check your hedges, bushes, trees and shrubs in your gardens where you have a public right of way adjacent to your boundary and where necessary cut back any overgrowth as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Alpington with Yelverton Parish Council
Alpington and Yelverton 