Trees and hedges in Ryedale

It is important to look after your trees and hedges properly so they do not cause danger or problems to other people.

We look after trees in parks, woodlands, cemeteries and open spaces. Trees and hedges on private land and gardens are the responsibility of the owner.

It is important to follow the right advice about cutting your own trees and hedges. If you do not, your neighbours might complain or you may discover that you should have asked for planning permission and you have gone against our planning rules.

Who is responsible for trees by a highway?

The landowner is responsible for all vegetation growing on their land. This also includes any trees or hedges growing alongside a road verge.

If trees are causing an obstruction or hazard on a road or pavement, our highways team can contact the landowner and ask them to deal with the problem.

To report a problem please contact us. Try to describe the location of the problem tree as accurately as possible.

Can I cut trees that overhang my garden?

you can cut back any overhanging branches to your boundary
you must offer to return the cut branches back to the owner
if the work you do causes the tree or shrub to die, the owner can seek legal advice against you
if you live in a conservation area or the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, you will also need to ask permission from us before beginning any work

What can I do about high hedges?

Overgrown hedges can block light. Branches that overhang a neighbour’s garden (or a road or pavement) can also be an issue.

Before you contact us about it, please read the government’s advice on garden hedges. It gives you lots of advice and explains what you can do about problem hedges.

Where else can I get information?

This guide gives you lots of advice about caring for trees:

If you have read this information and still need our help:

send us a complaint about a high hedge
the hedge must be evergreen, or semi-evergreen
the hedge must be a mix of at least two trees or shrubs
we will then consider any section of hedge that is over two metres
Not all evergreen hedges have to be cut down to two metres in height
every case is considered individually

If you ask us to help you with a dispute, you will have to pay a charge of £740.

To make a complaint, please contact us.

You must let us know if you intend to remove a hedgerow. For further advice on hedgerow regulations please contact us.

For more information on trees, hedges and other landscape queries, please contact us.

The Woodland Trust can offer information on ancient trees.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

If a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in Ryedale, you cannot prune or fell the tree without our permission.

It is against the law to prune, cut or damage a protected tree.

Trees can be protected in three ways:

by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
by being in a conservation area
by a restrictive planning condition

If a tree is protected, you cannot prune or cut it without our permission. In some situations, you may also need a licence to cut down a tree.

Who do I contact about cutting a protected tree?

please complete the application for works to trees subject to a TPO or within a conservation area (pdf / 236 KB)
please also read guidance for works to trees subject to a TPO or within a conservation area (pdf / 184 KB) to make sure you include everything that we need

Rate this page

How would you rate this page?