Hedge, Verge and Tree Cutting

Under the Roads Act 1993 (Section 70), landowners and occupiers are legally responsible for ensuring that trees, hedges, shrubs, or other vegetation on their property do not pose a danger to road users, road workers and pedistrians.

We ask all landowners and occupiers to:

• Top and face roadside hedges and trees to prevent obstruction or hazards on public roads and footpaths.
• Remove all debris from the road after cutting.
• Take reasonable care to ensure vegetation does not become a danger to the public.

Hedge cutting should be carried out between 1st September and 28th February, in line with the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, which protect nesting birds and wildlife outside of this period. Failure to comply with these responsibilities may result in prosecution.

For further guidance:

• A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees is available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This provides information on the warning signs of tree failure and guidance for managing roadside trees.
• The Tree Council of Ireland, Trees and the Law | Tree Council, provides detailed guidance in respect to landholders' responsibilities, including the process of obtaining a felling licence.

For your guidance, the following standards should be adhered to when carrying out the works:

• Hedges should be topped by cutting right across horizontally at a height not exceeding 4 feet above road level.
• At corners, hedges should be trimmed to provide a clear view of approaching traffic on either side for a distance of 50 metres.
• Hedges should be faced back to the road fence or kept in line with the road ditch.
• Trees, where possible, should be left intact; however, all branches overhanging the roadway should be trimmed back to a height of 6 metres.

For more information, contact the Louth County Council Operations and Environment Delivery directorate on 042 933 5457.