Neighbors again- well intentioned

[Jenn]

My fence is several yards inside my property line due to the rough terrain at the line (a fence on the line couldn't possibly be dog proof and I'd have several trees disrupting the straight lines of it). Last year discussing with my husband my neighbor's frequent excursions over the line I carefully put cane posts all over a spot I planted with ground nuts and jerusalem artichoke. Felt my neighbor had gotten the point- he mowed up to that area a few times but left my patch alone. Just last week I was inspecting the area trying to guess if the sunflowery looking weeds were the jerusalem artichokes or a different weed and happy to believe (without certainty though) that a few vines were the ground nuts coming out.

This morning my neighbor hailed me from his pond close to that patch and I took my scythe with me to attack a few of the identifiably not planted weeds there. Sadly he had- in the past few days when I was at work- mowed and weedwhacked the whole area for me.

Sigh. I didn't say anything until he was telling me about the odd pipe plants he'd cleaned up over there for me- "No they aren't growing there Tom, they're cane from Pampas grass I had marking spots I'd planted stuff last fall." He apologized a few times and I told him it's okay a few times. He told me to put flags up on stuff as I had in my lawn where I mow. Will also probably put string around it- and renew it every 3 months. He had been waiting for dryer weather to get onto that wet patch with his mower and weedwhacker; I'd thought he was finally staying off that section of my property as asked a few times previously.

He also suggested I hire his hired man to chop up and haul off a tree the wind knocked down during our blow early last month. Don't think he understood that we like to let things rot. Must be as tough for him to live next to an organic hippie as it is for me to live next to a cleanshaven (ie the spaces in his woods) if I have a heart attack doing the work so what I've got a house to sell landscapin' kinda guy. But at least I never go on his property and alter it without checking (even made sure he knew I was pulling his thistles before I did that- to give him the idea of communicating instead of assuming...).

Well I am proud of myself for getting less angry about it all. But guess it's time to go ahead and add a corner of fence- even if not fully dogproof might be a section where I can keep livestock separate from my dogs though would need to be able to keep the neighborhood roamers out (hey the mostly good neighbor fences in all his dogs- I really do love him in a resigned way).

[Freya]

Anyway you could put a decorative fence up on the line that doesnt need to be dog proof and can flex around the trees?

[Jenn]

Good idea Freya- more flexible than chain link. Thanks.

[HOTW]

I think Freya has a good odea you could also grow climbing peas. beans, flowers on it so it doesnt evne have to be a "pretty" fence

[oregon woodsmok]

I think some sort of property line marker. It can be very light weight posts and that plastic twine made for electric fences. That's cheap and no law says you have to electrify it if you use it.

Your neighbor sounds like a nice enough guy that you can mark the boundary and ask him not to cut anything on your side.

However, I do suggest that you make at least a small effort to keep things a bit tidy outside your fence. No reason to antagonize a decent neighbor. There are already too many aggressive unpleasant neighbors; no need to manufacture one.

If you want it wild, maybe keep the noxious weeds out and plant a bunch of wildflowers.

Tell him the downed log is for growing mushrooms. That should make him happy in his quest for neighborhood order.

[rambler]

I enjoy your 'rant' in a nice, civilized way. You seem to be a well balanced person to be aggivated, but sensible about the issue.

I see a couple of good ideas in the last couple messages, no need to repeat. Just wanted to give a thanks for your methods of griping but understanding at the same time.

--->Paul

[Joshie]

Could you could use a few fence posts and string? Nothing's permanent that way but your neighbor would get the message. If you want a more dog proof fence you could add hot wire. You can make a hot wire gate so you'd not exactly be unable to cross the property line.

[Use Less]

My neighbor has a big garden tractor for his large yard (2 1/2 or 3 acres), and a big tractor to clear everything except the trees on the other 8 or so of his land. Like a European park or arboretum. He really needs more hobbies.... He has regularly crossed the property line a few inches, then a few feet, then a half-circle where he turned his big brush hog. Unfortunately he's also managed to take down all but 1 stake from the survey I paid for. So this year, I guess I'm buying another survey, putting substantial buried markers and heavy painted stakes with flags. He is, likewise, harmless, but they are into their 70's, live south some months, etc. so sooner or later their place likely to be up for sale. Don't want any surprises. Sue