Common questions about hedges
- Q1. What is a hedge?
- A hedge is a boundary of closely grown bushes or shrubs.
- Q2. What is a high hedge?
- Under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013, a high hedge is a row of two or more trees or shrubs over 2 meters tall that blocks light, unless gaps significantly reduce its overall effect as a barrier to light above this height.
- Q3. Will only certain types of hedges be covered?
- The High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 does not limit hedges to specific tree types.
- Q4. How do I measure the height of the hedge?
- A hedge is measured from where it emerges from the ground, not from the base of any wall it is planted behind.
- Q5. How do I find out if the hedge is a high hedge?
- The Act applies to tall hedges obstructing light. A hedge can be any species combination of two or more trees or shrubs, roughly in line but not necessarily straight.
In order that a hedge can be the subject of a complaint under the Act, if the answer to all these questions below is 'yes', then it is likely to be a high hedge for the purposes of the Act.
- does the hedge impact upon a residential property?
- does it act as a barrier to light?
- even though there are gaps in the foliage or between the trees, is the hedge still capable of obstructing light?
- is the hedge - or the portion that is causing problems - made up of a line of 2 or more trees or shrubs?
- is the hedge more than 2 metres above ground level?
