An environmental group says local authorities should introduce guidelines for the management of roadside hedgerows.
Hedgerows Ireland claims that some councils are taking a heavy-handed approach, causing unnecessary biodiversity loss.
Its secretary, Dr Alan Moore, says some councils are sending letters to landowners threatening them with fines and imprisonment for non-compliance with Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993.
The act states landowners must ensure that trees, hedges and shrubs on their property do not pose a danger to road users.
He says the wording of these letters causes fearful landowners to over-cut hedgerows, resulting in the loss of habitats, biodiversity and other environmental benefits.
Dr Moore believes rather than blanket cutting, every site should be individually assessed:
