Councils in Northern Ireland have been called upon to adjudicate on dozens of disputes between neighbours about the height of hedges.
More than 90 formal complaints have been made to local authorities since 2017 about boundary hedges being too tall and blocking light reaching their property, figures obtained by Belfast Live show.
Disgruntled householders can ask their council to investigate under specific legislation dedicated to dealing with problem high hedges.
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The complaints process is meant to be a "last resort" when efforts to resolve the issue informally have broken down. It can lead to remedial action if the council finds the complaint is justified.
Evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges of more than two metres tall and affecting light reaching a domestic property can be investigated, although not all hedges above this height will need to be cut back.
Belfast City Council dealt with the most complaints about high hedges with 39 recorded since 2017, followed by Ards and North Down Borough Council with 12 over the same period.
Derry City and Strabane District Council had nine formal complaints, while both Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council had eight each.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council had seven, followed by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council with six, Mid Ulster District Council with five, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council with three, and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council with two.
Newry City, Mourne and Down District Council had approximately under 20, but officials declined to give a precise figure in Freedom of Information responses.
Most councils charge the maximum fee possible of £360 to investigate a complaint about a high hedge. Belfast City Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council charge £50, while Mid Ulster District Council charges £250.
If the council finds the complaint is justified and remedial action is taken, the fee is refunded or transferred to the hedge owner.
According to advice on NI Direct about the High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, involving the council in a dispute "should be a last resort if you are unable to agree a solution with the hedge owner".
Guidance on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' website says, "The legislation will not mean that all hedges above two metres in height will need to be cut down."
It adds: "Complainants must demonstrate that they have tried to resolve the issue with the owner of the hedge before making a formal complaint. Even then, each case will be determined on its own merits."
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