Pruning

So upset woke up this morning to my back garden literally butchered. My mature trees and shrubs which covered ugly areas of the garden (brick walls) and some were 6ft now about 2ft. My father in law came last night and decided to do a bit of pruning.

Granted, I have no idea about gardens but I know when I looked out it was lush and green and now I have variuous stumps around the garden, I woudl have thought you prune in the dormant seaason not now when everything is in full growth. I'm really upset

depends on the plant... apple trees apparently get pruned in winter and others in spring or autumn etc... hedges can be trimmed now...
yes, its possible to cut back now, but as you say, not visually appealing

not to mention the birds nests that might have been in some of the foliage.

i think a word to your FIL for next year would be wait til Summer's over before pruning.

This is the time of year that most of us have the weather/light/time to actually sit and enjoy our gardens.

If you don't want to actually say it to him just be ready next year to do the job yourself when he starts polishing the chainsaw and revving up the strimmer.

They're South American and are visiting I suppose they don't have seasons there so he didn't know. But I had a lovely weeping type tree with branch and leaves falling to the ground (thus hiding the ugly wall behind) he cut all the lower branches now it just looks like any old tree. And we had a gorgeus tree (abotu 6ft) with the brown/red floliage, he just chopped the top off now its about 2ft. Feel like crying!

Oh, I can't imagine what it must have felt like this morning looking at it, I feel angry for you. Hate people who invade your privacy or do things to your home without asking. Yes, I have a FIL also who similarily comes over and digs, chops etc. Very annoying. don't worry though, look at the bright side if possible, your tress, branches will grow back way more bushier and luscious, twice as many branches. I really do think that every plant needs a good cut back once in its life to reap the rewards later in life. Some people just don't want to due to random reasons, like you hiding a wall etc. Plus, it will grow back quicker than you think really. Usually do when they are well settled in there spot of growing, plus plants are thriving this year because of the sun/heat.