Hedges and trees
Private landowners and occupiers are responsible for:
- making sure growth does not obscure road signs
- maintaining visibility for road users - particularly at junctions and on the inside of bends
- making sure growth does not prevent the passage or affect people using a road, footway, cycleway or public right of way - including cyclists and pedestrians
- removing dead or decaying trees and other growth that falls across the highway
- removing branches that prevent the passage of high-sided vehicles or obstruct street lights
- making sure the high's left clear after any cutting work
- arranging hedge and tree maintenance works
We're responsible for:
- managing and keeping trees and hedges we own (those growing within the highway, including verges and footways) in a safe condition and making sure they do not damage property or obstruct the highway
- protecting safety by making sure owners and occupiers maintain roadside hedges and trees. We carry out a programme of inspections across Rutland's highway network and ask tree owners to carry out necessary works
How to report safety concerns
If a tree or hedge is causing an immediate danger to the safety of road users, this is classed as an emergency - call us on 01572 722 577 during office ours. Out of hours, call Harborough Lifeline on 01858 464 499.
You can report non-emergency issues through our FixMyStreet service.
Timing of maintenance work
We recommend that you undertake trimming in January and February and not to cut back hedges from 1 April to 31 July. This is to:
- cut the chance of disturbing nesting birds and destroying nests
- allow most plants to finish flowering and seeding
- all nuts and berries to be available to wildlife as long as possible in winter
- reduce congestion and delays - there's less traffic on the roads