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Tree Hedge Cutting



Under the terms of the Roads Act 1993, landowners & occupiers of land are obliged to take all reasonable care to ensure that the trees, ditches, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not or could not become a danger to people using or working on a public road.

As landowner/occupier you are required to fell, cut, log, trim or remove such trees, ditches and hedges to prevent them from becoming a hazard to persons or property in the area. Examples of hazards include dead or dying trees, ditches or hedges interfering with traffic, blocking footpaths, obscuring road signs or obscuring a clear view of the road ahead.


Wildlife Act, 1976

Under the Wildlife Act 1976, it is an offence to destroy vegetation growing in a hedge or ditch between the 1st March and 31st August each year.


How to prevent trees/structures on your land from becoming a hazard:

  • Check with Planning Department before erecting a sign or billboard or a new wall or fence on the side of the road. Planning permission will be required in most cases.

  • Take care when erecting signs or billboards that they are well secured and do not interfere with pedestrians or cyclists or block the view of drivers.

  • Where security or other lights are being erected close to a public road check to ensure that they will not dazzle people using the road.

  • Perimeter walls, fences and hoardings should be inspected regularly to ensure they are safe and not blocking the road or footpath.

  • Hedges, shrubs and other plants should not be allowed to jut out into the roads or footpaths so as to cause a nuisance or block the view of the road.

  • Dead roadside trees should be removed and other roadside trees should be examined regularly for signs of disease or decay which may require remedial action.

  • Apart from dead or hazardous roadside trees there are a few cases where trees can be felled without giving formal notice to the local Gardai and /or obtaining a licence from the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Food. The main exceptions are trees  within 100 feet of a building.