There are too many 'owners' telling people what to do in life as it is. Do
NOT enter into any agreement, verbal or written.

I agree that it is a good idea not to put anythign in writing but I would
make the effort to keep him sweet. There are too many people telling you
what to do but, unfortunately, the way the law is at teh moment where you
have to sign a form saying that you have not had any dispute with neighbours
when selling a house means that having any kind of "provable" dispute can
knock thousands off your house price. The last thing you want is for him to
lodge a formal complaint about your hedge with the council. Even if he is
clearly in teh wrong you could still end up having to admit that you live
next door to a nutter when trying to sell.

--
Hayley
(gardening on well drained, alkaline clay in Somerset)