A: A high hedge must be formed wholly or predominantly by a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees, or shrubs and rise to a height of more than 2 metres above ground level. The questions you must ask are:
- Does the hedge act to some degree as a barrier or light or access, even though it might have gaps in it?
- Are there two or more trees or shrubs in it and are these roughly in line?
- Is the hedge comprised wholly or predominantly of evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs?
- Is it over 2 metres high?
- Would the hedge, because of its height adversely affect the reasonable enjoyment of the home or garden?
If the answer to all these questions is YES then it is likely to be a high hedge for the purposes of the Act. The term semi-evergreen is not separately defined in the Act, but normally means that the hedge retains some green or live foliage throughout the year. For example, in some parts of the country, privet will come under this definition, however, the further North you live the more likely your privet hedge will lose its leaves over the winter and therefore no be covered under this definition.
Beech hedges are likely to be excluded, as although the may retain some foliage for most of the year, this is brown and dead.