too late to cut down fir trees??

[nmayhew]

hi,
we have some fir trees which desperately need topping (blacking out the afternoon sun to our garden)

they have birds nesting in them (or at least have the past few years)

is it too late to send a tree surgeon up them to lop off the offending bits (the tree itself will be left intact)

don't mind disturbing a nest that was used last year, but don't want to damage either eggs being hatched, or chicks themselves

birds will be tits, sparrows and the like

thoughts appreciated

cheers

Nick

[bazzaboy]

Nick, it varies in different areas (generally earlier further South for obvious reasons...) so in Kent you must be close to the recommended deadlines. If you're employing reputable tree surgeons they'll know local guidelines for sure. Whilst there's no absolute fixed date in law it is an offence if birds have actually started to nest in the tree/shrub/hedge. You might find some RSPB guidelines useful:
The RSPB: Advice: The law and garden hedges
bb

[nmayhew]

cheers for that
i think if the tree surgeon sees any "signs of life" it'll be a no-no, but i guess it's a have a look and see...
thanks again
Nick

[pauco]

cheers for that
i think if the tree surgeon sees any "signs of life" it'll be a no-no, but i guess it's a have a look and see...
thanks again
Nick

The earliest Song birds you would get nesting, or to have young yet, would be Blackbird-Songthrush-Mistlethrush, so i would think it would be safe yet.
But best check, you never know with our Avian friends

[Aberdeenplotter]

Only prune conifers in a month with no R in it. In other words, only prune conifers when there is no danger of frost.