This current gardening gesture to embellish your garden is prohibited from March 16. If you do not comply with the legislation, it could cost you very expensive.
In the spring, many of us are working to refresh our gardens. However, it is essential to remember that there are specific rules concerning this activity, in particular with regard to the period during which certain practices are authorized. Indeed, in many regions, cutting its hedges is prohibited after March 16, following prefectural or municipal orders which have specified a recommendation in force for many years. This rule may seem arbitrary, but it has valid reasons and potentially costly consequences for those who neglect it.
Why is this deadline for March 16 so important? The answer lies in the protection of local fauna. The nesting season is starting. Indeed, from spring, birds begin to build their nests to welcome their offspring. Hedges often provide an ideal habitat for this, offering shelter and security. Article 4 of the decree of April 24, 2015 relating to the rules of good agricultural and environmental conditions provides for the ban on the hedge size between April 1 to July 30 for farmers. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) also prohibits farmers with the premiums to cut hedges between March 16 and August 15.
However, the law does not prohibit, except in certain cases, to individuals to cut their hedge, this concerns only farmers but this ban on the environment code (article 411-1) or the rural code is not always firmly explained also for individuals.
What really really? The LPO (Bird Protection League) highly recommends for several years not to prune, nor prune hedges and trees from mid-March, until August 31. If no sanction is provided for local residents in the environment or rural code, there may be exceptions with municipal or prefectural orders prohibiting the hedge size between certain dates.
In many municipalities, and in certain departments, cutting its hedges from March 16 is considered an offense punishable by a fine. This is the case, for example, in the Vosges department since last year (See the decree made in 2023). This decree is clear, it concerns individuals well, liable to a fine of 750 euros. And at home? It is important for individuals to inquire with their town hall to check if a municipal or prefectural decree prohibits the size of hedges or trees after this date. Heavy sanctions can be provided.
The amounts of fines vary depending on local regulations, but they can be quite significant, especially if the act of cutting hedges causes damage to protected fauna. In this case, article L. 415-3 of the environment code provides for a sentence of up to 3 years in prison and up to € 150,000 in fine “for damage to the conservation of non-domestic animal species and for destruction of their habitat”.