Can I Trim/Prune My Trees Now?

Adamc

I have some small/medium size trees in the garden which need tidying. Birds fly into these occasionally so I am concerned one may have some winged inhabitants. Can I safely tidy up the tree now or somehow check it reliably for nesting birds? We are considering selling so need to make the garden more presentable. Obviously I don't want any harm coming to any birds though. 

Some of these birds seem to fly in and out of the tree almost all year round ... blackbirds, pigeons, finches etc. 

My plan was to debulk the foliage with a pole saw and try to see a little better what's going on underneath. From there I would see whether I could safely use the electric trimmer. 

Thoughts and advice please. 

 

ss2020jd

This has some quite good advice about how to check for nests without disturbing them (removing lower branches only and looking underneath and up) but it does say that if you see them flying in it probably indicates a nest. 

https://www.chrisarnoldtreesurgery.co.uk/make-the-most-of-the-season-by-following-these-simple-guidelines

theonlywayisup

RSPB advice https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/plants-for-wildlife/garden-hedges/hedge-law/#:~:text=We recommend avoiding hedge cutting,active nests prior to cutting.

Eldi_Dos

Congratulations on providing a very suitable habitat for birds,I wish more gardeners would do so.

I think you can take it as read that nesting birds will find that hedge attractive and it would be better to leave any major pruning till well after the fledglings have left their nests.

If any branches are sticking out over paths or beds a careful light trim back with a pair of secateurs might be all you need to do.

twopenny

Yes, you could tidy that just by pruning back the stragley bits over it. Done quietly you could get away with just making it neat. 
If eggs are in the nest the bird will sit tight though the mate may shout at you.
Possibily the worst time for serious work. By August they are usually finished.

Make it a tidy shape and clean up under and around and it should look good. Let your buyers decide what they want to do. 

My buyers took a digger and chain saw to all the musk roses and fruit, not a tree or plant left standing in 65ft.
My first flat all plants dug up and hard standing made.

 So tidy yes but major work no.

Adamc

So after August for anything other than minor tidying?

twopenny

If it's a good summer for birds they may nest twice. That seems to be common now.

If you feed birds or have them in your garden you will notice them frantically gathering food followed by youngsters. Then suddenly no birds for a while. that's when they've stopped nesting and started to fatten up for winter.

August is a good bet though you could probably get away with July. The link onlyway posted may have more info.

I know the county doesn't start on hedges until about then