Trees and hedges on your allotment

Trees and hedges

Trees, shrubs and hedging including fruit trees and border hedging, must not be more than two metres tall. This is to make sure they don’t create too much shade.

If you don’t prune back tall trees and hedges you may receive a tree notice.

Aggressive, fast growing trees such as Eucalyptus, Leylandii and certain willow species are not suitable to plant on allotments. If you do have these trees on your plot, you’ll receive a tree notice immediately. You’ll also need to remove them straight away and kill them at the stump.

If you’ve received a tree notice but can’t cut your trees back because you’re ill or have mobility issues, contact your site representative who can advise you.

Find out more about tree notices. 

Fruit trees

You can grow some fruit trees on your plot. You must use a dwarf root stock to make sure they’re manageable, and don’t grow over 2 metres tall.

Fruit trees such as Bramley’s apple and taller plum trees are not suitable, but some dwarf fruit trees such as apple and pear can be grown in restricted form.

Fruit trees are usually included within the 25% non-cultivated area on your plot. This doesn't include bush and cane fruit such as raspberries or currants.

If you use the soil underneath fruit trees to grow ground level crops or flowers, they can be considered as being under cultivation. This is to stop tenants using large areas just for orchard and lawn.