On 5/24/10 1:03 PM, chelly100 wrote:
Hi,

I am currently doing up my garden and it's a bit of a project. I have a
pretty pathetic excuse for a fence separating my garden from my
neighbours on the right and altho I get on with them , I would like
something a bit more...

My husband, last year, cut down 9 Leylandi trees on the right and we
currently have just the stumps left. A quote to remove the stumps and
roots has come in pretty pricey, so we decided to just cut them as low
as poss and maybe utilise a couple by nailing some rustic wood between
two to make a bench for the children.

However, I had a guy round tonight to quote me to erect a 6' fence down
the right hand side of the garden. Upon inspection he has told me that
he thinks it will be very difficult to put in the posts due to the roots
from the trees and that we should try to remove the roots... which we
wanted to avoid doing, argghhhh!

So I'm wondering, would it be best to have some kind of hedge instead of
a wooden fence (we have a hedge on the left)? And this leads me to some
more questions:

Which type of hedge is best for boundaries?
How long would it take to establish and grow?
How easy is it to plant/grow?
Should I get permission from my neighbours as they will have to trim the
thing back on their side?

Sorry for the massive essay, any replies will be greatly appreciated,
I'm new to all of this (gardening, not forum posts!)

Cheryl.

I prefer good, durable fences or even masonry walls. They keep your own
children and pets in your yard and the children and pets of others --
including some of nature's wild "pets" -- out.

Furthermore, depending on what you have in your garden, you might have
what is legally called an attractive nuisance, in which case a fence or
wall is mandatory. Of course, "attractive nuisance" includes a swimming
pool; but it also includes a hot tub, garden railroad, and some types of
children's play equipment.

On the other hand, a fence or even a well-designed wall might not be
very attractive. I suggest that you install a 4-foot high chain-link
fence. The fence posts (steel pipe) will be easier to install through
the tree roots than other kinds of posts. Then plant either shrubs or
vines right against the fence to hide it. Allow the plants to grow
higher than the fence and through it so that it is also hidden from your
neighbor.

The first step would be to discuss this with your neighbor to ensure
that the concept is mutually acceptable. With the right approach and an
aesthetic design for the planting, your neighbor might even pay part of
the cost.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary