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Experts have warned about a surprising gardening rule when it comes to trimming back a hedge that has overgrown and encroached on your property. Overgrown hedges and bushes are often a point of contention for neighbours as branches and leaves can burst over walls and fences and create a number of problems. But there are specific rules and guidelines when it comes to dealing with this.

When a bush or a hedge encroaches on your property from a neighbour's lawn or garden, you can trim back the bits that overhang into your space. This is a pretty widely known rule and most gardeners are not afraid to trim back what has made its way over to their property. But there is a surprising rule for what you do afterwards, and many are perhaps not aware of it. When you trim back a hedge that has overgrown into your lawn, which you have a right to do, it's important to know what to do about the trimmings you have created.

Technically, those trimmings belong to your neighbour. This is why you should deal with them accordingly to avoid landing yourself in legal trouble.

The experts at Walton's have revealed the garden rules that Brits need to know about, particularly when it comes to their neighbours.

"You might think you're doing your neighbours a favour by lopping back overhanging bushes and branches which infringe your airspace, but beware burning, composting, binning or otherwise disposing of the clippings," they said.

They added: "Since the debris remains the property of your neighbour, you can't get rid of it without their say-so. And while you may return said twigs, you may not throw them back over the fence because this counts as fly-tipping."

Additionally, if you cut a hedge on the other side of the boundary, this could be considered an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, unless a lawful excuse is provided. When trimming back a hedge that has grown from outside your garden, make sure to trim until the legally stated boundary between properties and no further.

To make sure you know where the exact boundary between properties is, make sure that you check the Land Registry. This way, you will know exactly where you can cut when tidying up your garden.

Gardeners also need to be aware of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it a criminal offence to cut or remove a hedge where birds are nesting.