Help my neighbor is a creeper Plant ideas for privacy hedge?

I need some help trying to figure out what to plant in order to create a "privacy hedge" or "living fence".

My neighbor has these big ol' windows that are only 5' away from one of my gardening areas.. and every time my husband is not home the guy goes and sits right on the other side of the window and stares at me while I am gardening. No, he doesn't say anything, he just sits inside and watches. I used to say hi and be friendly, but he just keeps doing really weird things that make me uncomfortable. So, I am planning on putting some full size something right on our side of the fence very very soon because I just can't stand it anymore!

I really need some help because I have spent so many hours trying to figure out something and I can't make up my mind..

Here is what my thoughts are so far..

Our lot is super skinny and long, where it is 40' wide at the lake and 67' wide at the street, so I want the depth of the plant to be no more than 3' (but it can be more for the width obviously).

It gets full sun. When I mean full sun, I mean some plants labels that say they need "full sun" this spot is too much sun for them! SO the plant has to do well with sun up to sun down direct sun.

I am trying to get rid of the laurels that I have.. they seem too invasive for my liking, and want to stay away from laurels.. or if there are some more exciting laurels than the ones that I am used too.. suggestions welcome, but I am already wacking back laurels all the time..

I love my arborvitaes, I have probably more than 100 of them already as a living fence on the street side, and as you can see by the last picture, for a section on the other side. I am really thinking arborvitaes may be what I am leaning toward.. but would it be weird to have 25 on ones side, and only like 5 covering a house on the other? Would that be too funky?

I really like italian cypress, and was thinking that, but I don't want the view of my sunset to be lost, or the lake view if they get too tall.. what are some ways with dealing with that? How tall do they really get in the PNW and how fast do they grow? (I live in Seattle area).

It looks like the Japanese Yew is out of the question due to the full sun.

I did plant wichita blue's (which I got for 3 bucks each) along the fence line, but now am thinking they just are not going to grow fast enough around the creepers house and I need something to provide privacy asap..

I would love any ideas, whether unusual or not! I just know I don't want something that I have to hedge trim all the time, something that can go a couple years without needed pruning to stay nice, and that is super dense. I am just so done with having a creeper stare at me when I am trying to enjoy myself gardening.

Thanks for all your help!

I would be using panels of privacy fencing rather than waiting for shrubs to grow. You don't even have to fence the entire line, just a panel with shrubs bookending it in just the right spot could block his view.
Or how about those rolls of willow or bamboo fence?
Immediate privacy.
And you wouldn't even have to move the first plant.

Hi.

Subtlety may work with your creepy neighbor. A dead fish wrapped in newspaper and left by his front door should do the job. Or, you could get one of these decoy surveillance cameras (no electronics, just a housing) mounted on a post and pointing directly at his window. Oh, if restraining orders didn't involve such a complicated process...

Good luck
Sylvain

I would plant vines to grow on the fence. Much faster than any shrub.
Then add the tall, narrow shrubs, whichever ones you like. Together they will become a very dense screen.

To get the plants growing the fastest do the best soil prep you can. If your soil is more sand-silt-clay, then add lots of organic matter and some fertilizer. In this case, I agree with lourspolaire: Use Fish Emulsion as fertilizer!

Many vines grow pretty fast, but if you look around your neighborhood you might find one you like better than the others. Fast often means rampant and invasive, so do a little research, too.
Check what will grow in your zone, but here are some fast, evergreen vines for full sun in my area:

Lonicera japonica 'Halliana' (can get invasive)
Passiflora- several species and varieties, try P. caerulea
Ipomoea indica
Gelsemium sempervirens

Here are several evergreen, narrow shrubs, 3-4' wide, about 6' tall minimum, some get a lot taller and might need to be topped to maintain your lake view. Again, confirm that they will grow in your zone.
Euonymus japonica 'Silver King' or 'Chollipo'
Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri'
J. scopularium 'Skyrocket'
J. virginiana 'Prairie Pillar'
Thuja occidentalis, several varieties
Juniperus communis 'Stricta'

There are green horticulture Fabrics that are used for shade, you buy this stuff by the metre just as you would the black woven fabric used for ground cover.
The green fabric for shade is slightly more open as you want air movement as well as shade, look in the garden store and ask for either green safety fabric or green shading fabric, you could attach this to the wire fence to give immediate security from prying eyes, and this can stay in place till,
a) you decide on your plant choice or
b) till the Pete the Creep get's the message and hopefully, moves away.

On a more serious note, is there a department at your local police station where you could go for advice, stress Ignoring has not worked and this person is doing things either inappropriate or uncomfortable and only happens when your husband is away from home, you never know, this just might be why the home owners before you moved out and somewhere there may be a record of previous complaints. This is not a fun situation and it should be given some serious thought without becoming neurotic, and without frightening you with the experience I had many years ago, you do have to learn to be tough and talk up for yourself by saying nicely but firmly to start with that his behaviour is NOT normal and is becoming stranger by the day, you want it to stop or you will seek
advice,
Always remember if anything nasty happens or continues, he would have to prove he is NOT a neighbourhood perv, and NOT you having to prove he is, plus would he really want to draw attention to himself in this manner, NOOOOOO, these guy's don't want attention like that they think they hold the power over your movements even by just gawking and following you with their eyes. Don't suffer in silence as that's what these guy's thrive on, they know you will feel silly complaining about a neighbour, just don't let it carry on as you will end up being locked inside because you want to avoid him.
Take good care and don't put up with this kind of behaviour, It is totally un-invited on your part.
Best regards and good luck. WeeNel.

"I always feel like somebody's watching me" on cd and blast it on repeat for as long as you can stand it while you are out. hahaha

but seriously, wow, I couldn't have said it better than WeeNel! if you are friends with other neighbors I would ask questions about him. guys like that are not fun! and if the adult women don't stand up for themselves, imagine how hard it must be for teens and young children.... something to think about. if you are really suspicious of his odd behavior i would talk to people about it so they are aware, maybe others will come forward as well.

i really love that bamboo screen! i think that would really look sharp. i mean, besides his creeping his house isn't pretty to look at so i would do that and then you could put whatever you like in front of it! :) i hope you find a solution.

How about a large piece of artwork? I mean really large like two fence panels wide. You're in control of the height, you can shape the edges, say in an arc or arch. You can "mosaic" with whole pieces of pretty glass or ceramic, mirrors. Some friends of mine, who admittedly are not as close to the creep as you are, just painted the back side of their shed, facing tHe creep's house, black, and then hung mirrors on it. If you use plates and cups they could become part of a trellis as vines grew.

Most importantly, though, follow what WeeNel has said, make sure his behavior is on record, and write every detail down, daily.

I would also recommend not keeping it from your husband. This isn't just a "perception" of yours.

Take very good care of yourself.

Turtle

Can I just add that my final say on the subject re this creepy guy that you have as a neighbour poobear, do everything you can that keeps you on the right side of the law so he cant report you and turn the table if you like.
Try to invite a friend who can casually witness his actions, try keep a diary, try to make sure when discussing the subject you don't name him to the wrong people as you don't wish to be sued for discrediting his name AND you don't have any proof of how he is upsetting your life when your husband is away from home.
There should be a female police officer you can have an unofficial chat to for advice and then take it from there, you don't have to take the advice if it were to be suggesting you stay in doors when husband is away, it has to be sensible and meat your needs not his, he is the one making your life a misery.

Take 13 Turtles advice which is great and proper, Get husband and family / friends on board in a calm and to the facts manor, dont allow them to blow things way out of proportion as can happen with gossip, trying to help or whatever. Use CCTV camera's if you think it will help, those are hired or very good as security camera's, just hide them from him, then you have proof of his stupid, disgusting behaviour AND possibly his family will see any film sequences re his past time when he's home alone.

Maybe he will get fed up if he knows your not responding to his gross habits but then you have to think, would he be troublesome to others who cant handle that kind of behaviour.

Take good care and stay safe, best regards. WeeNel.

Quick, inexpensive, and you can renew it annually if you like...

Miscanthus giganteus - Giant Chinese Silver Grass.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1598/

This plant has screened the underside of my 10' high (off the ground) deck annually, and then flowered up at rail height. All in relatively poor clayey soils. I think it will quickly do the trick for you. It is a clump form grass - not a runner - so it essentially stays put and makes a slightly wider clump each year. It is easy to divide, and plant elsewhere or share with friends needing to screen out their local pest.

It will take care of the issue in the short term, and you can make some longer term decisions at your leisure - and out of sight of Norman Leer...

Ditto the other posts about doing something about the behavior of the neighbor who is watching you.

Keep records:
Dates your husband was out of town.
Where and when you were in the garden.
Was the neighbor watching?
Did you have any other adults with you? (Friends, family)
Did they see the neighbor's behavior?

Have a friend over to show her your garden, and keep an eye on the neighbor's behavior.
Talk to other neighbors, asking if they know anything about the creep.

Security cameras may help, but there is a bad wrinkle: Be VERY sure you are not taking pictures of him while he is inside his house. DO not aim the cameras in through his window. Since this is exactly the place he watches you from, I am not sure if the cameras can help. Get professional advise before setting up the camera.

Does your neighborhood have a Neighborhood Watch program set up? If not, talk to the police about how to do this. If it does, become active in the program.

With all the horrid things in the news about what goes on in some neighborhoods, and the neighbors not knowing about it, please do whatever you can to...
A) Keep yourself safe.
B) Get the creep out of there.

Great ideas everyone. I like the instant bamboo and would plant a fast growing tree to give you shade and more plant possibilities. Also like talking to neighbors and go to local sex offender list website Good luck

THANK YOU ALL for the awesome advice! I ended up getting the bamboo instant sections to put up along with some slats. Since I had already spent money on planting my smaller junipers there (before knowing how slow growing they are) I thought having the bamboo in the background would be the fastest without changing the plants I initially picked. Since the bamboo is more expensive, I got green slats for along the side of the house. You can't even understand how relieved I was when the bamboo was in place! I am not done yet with the bamboo (as I bought all that they had at the store). I ended up going with a darker color as I thought it looked more "resortish".

Just to give you all a background on the neighbor since some of you were giving advice on what to do other than the fence to tackle the issue ..

ALL the neighbors around me know this problem and are aware and concerned and so nice in watching out for me! About a year ago, we actually DID install security cameras we found on sale online. The one in the backyard in on our back deck upstairs, so it looks over the backyard sort of like picture #1 more more even in the middle (not just focused on the right neighbor line).

A little history:
My husband and I got this house after it had been abandoned for over 3 years. The neighbor's house was also empty for the same amount of time, but not because of a foreclosure, but because the owner was very old and sick and went to live in a home. When my husband and I got our house, it was in very very poor condition (ha, the only way we could afford to live on a lake in Seattle!). We spent over a month just cleaning out garbage from the house before we moved in. During that time (we didn't know anything about the neighboring house situation yet) we thought that the "back shack" of the neighbor house was being rented out and the owner must be an old person who lives somewhere warm in the winter. The main house by the lake had "hoarder like" stuff in it, and things were laying around like someone lived there, but we never saw someone in the main house.. but tons of "sketchy" people were on the street side shack, in and out, at all hours of the night. They were scary and we suspected they were drug dealers. The day after we officially slept at our new home, the neighborhood had a Christmas party at a house across the lake, where we found out that the owner had died, he was a "slum lord" who managed housing of crack heads, someone had died from a meth overdose in the driveway a month before (Nov 2011), squatters were in the "2 car garage" which had no heat, electricity, or water. Once the death occurred the police condemned the back house and no one was supposed to be there. Apparently the summer of 2011, the police started monitoring the house because a middle aged man got naked and went on the neighbors dock during the middle of broad daylight and jumped in the water. The neighbors told us if we ever saw someone at the property to call the police asap. the neighbors on the other side of the house were two old women who were sisters and they had been too afraid to call the police when they saw activity.. so all the other neighbors seemed overwhelmingly happy that we had moved in and were cleaning up our house (I mean, random people were coming up to us and saying thank you, which just felt odd since I didn't even realize what was going on!). Apparently they called our house "the toilet house" because one of the junk items was a broken toilet sitting on our property on the street side.. or they called our property "the sinking ship" because the cabin by the water was literally sinking to one side since there was not a foundation and the house was settling.

But, the day after we moved in we didn't see any activity at the house for almost 2 months.. (I think the squatters must have realized we moved in and went dormant or something). But, one day I saw people "gardening" next door. We were moving a fridge into our house, and a neighbor was helping us, and the gardener next door came over (it was like 11:30 pm) and couldn't start his old truck and our neighbor helped him jump start his car.. during that conversation the gardener said he was hired by the owner and was taking care of the property. Over the next 2 months it seemed like the garden only got much nastier. Junk was accumulating (such as metal and really odd household items) outside. I watched one time.. a lady came over to "rake leaves" and she stood for 4+ hours in the same spot "raking". When I let my dog outside she tried talking to him and I noticed she was missing all of her teeth. I realized, these were not people being paid to garden.. they were squatting at the property.. So I started calling the police. The police were awesome and they would come to the property anytime people showed up and told me to take pictures whenever I saw stuff (ended up getting pictures of a lady smoking meth..). The police mentioned that the house was in probate, as the family was fighting over the property. They technically couldn't kick anyone off the property since there was not an official owner aka "victim of trespassing". So they said to call them when I saw the people, they would come and "try and intimidate the squatters". The police were super helpful and came within 5 minutes every time I called! I was even able to help them catch a ring of robbers who would break into houses and drop off stolen goods at the property, and then someone else would pick the goods up (which is why stuff would always accumulate at that house). I was threatened by the criminals numerous times and once had to call the police when the guys came over and tried to attack my husband.. the police were the ones who told us to put up a chain link fence, (with the poky metal sticking up) and that way we could claim trespassing if they even touched the fence. They broke into our home, and they broke into our 1970 old truck camper (which we ended up selling since it was more of a hazard since they would sleep in it at night).

Then one day the now owner came to the property and handed me a business card. He said he was the owner (and the card had the same last name as the man who died) and he was in a suit and drove an expensive mercedes. I had my husband call him and give him the police information so that he was aware of the activity and file. My husband said he sort of blew him off (which I thought was weird). I still called the police when I saw activity though.. A few months later the owner made me cry because he started accusing ME of all the junk and said I was responsible to clean up his yard because I was the one who made it horrible. I told him I had been documenting my work in the garden via pictures and I had proof that I was in fact cleaning up the fence line! I was so upset because I had spent hundreds of hours actually cleaning up the line..

But whatever, I was still always nice and said hi whenever I saw him (which was not for another couple months after he accused me because he was having the house remodeled so he could live in it, as it was in poor poor shape). I figured it would be better to be on good terms with a neighbor than bad terms. Since I was outside (summer 2012) gardening, and mostly weeding ... I saw the guys working on the house, and ended up getting some info from them about the plans of the house.. they said the owner was going to live at the place for 2 years to avoid inheritance tax. They said he was a cheap guy, and the head contractor was having problems because the owner would have him do stupid things (like he didn't want to pay for a new window, and just had the contractor sheet rock over it on the inside.. so you can see the back of the sheet rock wall through the window on the outside).

So I tried to avoid the neighbor at all costs, but when I saw him was nice, which was not too often anyways. Then one day the neighbor tried talking to me about the fence, and my husband came out (as I got this weird vibe from the guy and told my husband to come out whenever he saw him). I of course walked away and the neighbor then told my husband he was going to sue us for putting up the fence. My husband is a "diffuser", like his personality is one that can calm down two people trying to kill each other, so I realized the neighbor is just "socially off". (The whole conversation he was smiling while talking to my husband..). Anyways, still nice to him.. and then I started to notice how he would stare at me. Our master bedroom has almost floor to ceiling windows looking out toward the lake.. one night I had gotten out of the shower and was in a towel (completely covered and everything) and walked across my bedroom to the closet. I sort of looked out over the window and saw the neighbor (what looked like masterbating) at his window staring at me. I was so disturbed and told my husband (who was not home at the time, I can't remember why, but normally he is home by that time). We don't have blinds at the window, and I never walk around naked or anything! but, I made sure to bring my clothes with me to the shower from then on! Sometimes I come home to garden during lunch (as I work 5 minutes away), and the neighbor would always go and sit by the window and stare at me when I was outside. I honestly think he doesn't have a job and just lives off inheritance or something? He is ALWAYS home. When he is not home he is golfing (I assume as he will walk out with his gold clubs). One day, he had fake surveyors come and stomp all over my garden and say our property was 8 feet less (which would mean our house was on his property if that were true).. but we knew it was not because the power lines are specifically listed as in our property on our deed and not his (as you can look up that information online). My husband called the company the surveryor was supposidly from, and the guy was an actual employee, but our property was not a job, and especially not when he did the property line on the weekend.. so the employee got fired, and we filed a trespassing complaint with the police. We gave the police the video of the "surveyor" (who brought his wife and two kids that were the ones kicking my newly planted fruit trees and stomping on my sunshine blueberry bush). I was SO upset. Since then.. the neighbor has not talked to either my husband or I, but he just stares at me. He avoids my husband I think. Since my husband works long hours I am usually home before he is, and want to be outside in my yard.. which is when the neighbor sits and the window and does not move, he just stares. He hasn't done any masterbating since that one day with me in the shower (at least to my knowledge). I know the neighbor is highly likely going to put the house up for sale after 1 more year.. but just couldn't handle him anymore.. I felt so uncomfortable, and just made my stomach in knots..

Since moving in to our house, I got on the board for my neighborhood, and I make it very public about all the problems with that property and asked all the neighbors to watch out for me (because of the weird people that hang out there too). One day a guy from that property 2 months ago ran screaming at me when I came home from work and thank goodness I got inside because he stood at my house for 15 minutes before he left.. I almost feel like a burden on the police because I call them so much.. they are so nice, but it's just ridiculous..

Anyways, since putting up the bamboo, I haven't even seen my neighbor!! I plan on putting some various trellis with vines and other hedge type shrubs too, but having the bamboo and slat background gives me some time so I can pick out plants I want! I loved all the great suggestions! The bamboo is still slightly see through (as you can see from the pictures), and after I put it up I thought I might go back and put up the fabric or something behind it like suggested, but I was just in such a hurry to put the things up to see what it looked like! I think that it does a good job muting what you can see through the window enough to make me feel better regardless. And, when the plants grow in that I pick, it will just be another layer of density blocking the ability to see through!

You have not had your sorrows to seek Poobear, that's for sure. I have to admit, I would have moved from that maniac long before now.
When you have already been a victim, you just know the script and for a time, your in denial, then bells start to ring, I'm so glad you have the support from your local police and they are keen to help no matter how much you call them, your husband must be a saint too, many guy's would have half killed that creep.

At the end of the day, your husband is doing the right thing by talking creep out of action's and calming things down as the last thing you need right now is to have your husband arrested for assault and creep get's the upper hand.

I'm pleased for you that the other neighbours are fully aware of all the previous happenings at that house of horrors as it must make you feel you are not alone with the problem.
Lets hope some nice people come along and buy the property from Hell and you get the full use of your yard which looks like it is situated in a lovely environment and should be a nice peaceful neighbourhood rather than something out of a Hollywood Film.

Take good care of yourself and never put up with anything or any actions you would not wish for anyone else, there is a standard of decency that no one should be allowed to cross the line on, and as I always told my kids, If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, don't put up with it just because you think you are making a fuss, believe me, creeps rely on you feeling stupid for complaining about their behaviour, that's how they get away with being perv's for a long time before they are caught.
Very best regards and don't be afraid to give out any problems, sometimes it's easier to chat to faceless people who are not too close to the situation.
WeeNel.

wow!!! i just knew it! what a creep. ugh.
i love the bamboo! that really really looks sharp! it makes your plants just jump right out too!! looks awesome. especially at a lakefront property! i really think you'll feel better, and this weirdo will get a hint maybe and leave you alone.

Glad you decided on the instant approach. Maybe you job is to help cean up your neighborhood. You can never be to careful.

Ha, WeeNel - when I first told my husband about the masterbating thing the neighbor was doing, I didn't really know if that was what he was doing or not.. (I think I just didn't want to admit it?), so I told my husband I wasn't certain, but that's what it looked like.. I sort of laughed it off and my husband made a joke about how he would walk around naked and flash the neighbor with his hairy buttcheeks to prevent the neighbor from doing it again! I kept telling my husband about the staring, but I swear whenever my husband comes home the neighbor either immediately leaves his house or hides (maybe goes to his basement or something?) as my husband almost never sees him. It's very very strange.. My husband hates the neighbor due to all the hastle he has caused.. and when I asked my husband about a budget for covering the fence he told me I could do whatever I wanted to feel comfortable (as plants and fence things are expensive unfortunately). The bamboo is SUPER heavy, and I couldn't carry it, so my husband worked really hard to put it up the day I brought it home (I got it from Lowes, where I had to have 2 people load it for me). It was POURING rain and my husband just worked all day putting it up! I am glad you tell your kids that, because it is so true, creeps get away with stuff because it's inappropriate, but the victim questions whether they are just overreacting or not (at least, that is what I felt like).

I did look up the neighbor to see if he was a sex offender, which he is not, (thank goodness..). Although, there is something weird that he does.. because his name pulled up all these business that he will be a director of or something for two years and then the business dissipate.. One of them for example that has a license now is called "Gold Medal Ventures" registered at some random fake address.. he is just all sorts of sketch..

outlaw - thanks! I really do feel better! It was an instant weight that felt lifted off my shoulders once the bamboo was put up! AND, I saw the porch light go on at the neighbors house, and heard the door close, but I didn't even see him enter his house! The other thing that is great, is the bamboo background allows me to not just have evergreen hedges, and I have always wanted a smoke tree, so I am going to have so much joy when I plant that!! I won't have to worry about being able to see him creep on me in the winter when the tree becomes a stick!

plantsforpeg - I have been working with the neighbors about cleaning up the neighborhood. It's interesting, because SeaTac (the city I live in) is only 10 square miles, where most of it is taken up by the SeaTac Airport (the main airport you take flying into Seattle). 3/4 of the lake is surrounded by single family homes, but the other 1/4 is a big public park (where they are installing a water park for young children), condos, and they are building a hotel on the lake too. Other than the few single family homes around the lake, most of the city is hotels and commercial business, or high density residential (multi-family, duplex, apartments etc). Our house, besides the mobile home park on the lake, and the neighbors house are by far the "dumpiest" houses on the lake (although I am working on making mine better with fixing it up ourselves). The community is trying to work on ways to reduce crime, because there are A LOT of low income families with children. SeaTac (which used to be unincorporated king county) 10 years ago had the highest rate of prostitution in the country, and the police force changed policies and started treating the women as victims, not criminals, and now there are much less women on the streets. It is crazy, but crime exists everywhere.. even in nice expensive communities.. my husband and I rented a really nice house in Normandy Park/Burien before we got this one.. where the street was a back alley behind a middle school. One morning (only a few months before we moved) I was biking with my husband to his work and then would come back home to shower before I went to work 2 minutes away (it was 4am) and when I came back police were surrounding my place because of this http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/hearing-impaired-homeless-man-severely-beaten-outs/nDM63/ , just on the other side of the fence a homeless man was beaten to death (he ended up dying in the hospital a few days later). Maybe I just have bad luck with crime where I live though.. because the stuff that happens around me sometimes seems a little crazy sometimes.. this happened http://www.komonews.com/news/local/SeaTac-homeowner-shoots-would-be-burglar--139933913.html when my husband and I were on our honeymoon.. which is only 1 block away from us..

I attached some updated photos of where we extended the bamboo further!

Hi Poobear, I'm so proud of you and your husband, ALL the work you have done really looks wonderful, I cant wait to see pictures of Next year when the plantings will be more mature and blending in with the rest of the area that you already have.

You husband sounds like a real diamond, I truly hope your neighbour takes the hint and moves along, preferably to another planet. Just because you have built a privacy blanket along the fence line, never take for granted that the creep wont find another vantage point to crawl into where he thinks he is out of sight.
From what I can gather, you don't break this guy's ugly and damaging habit by just putting up a fence, but I hope it goes a long way to making his life more difficult to carry out his pleasures .Always remember Poo, none of this is your fault and what the guy shows by his behaviour is not sexual in any way, but it is a power thing, he knows he can either frighten you or upset you and probably thinks / feels superior because so far no one has knocked on his door asking him to explain his actions or deeds, someone like the police should eventually pay him a visit.

Just enjoy your new-found peace and tranquil atmosphere you have created.
I will keep you in my thoughts and just promise to stay safe.
Very Best regards. WeeNel.

Hi PooBear ~

I think the dark bamboo looks absolutely awesome, and your plantings shine in front of it. And I'm glad for the measures you're taking to protect yourself (and others).

~ Turtle

No news must mean good news.

Hello, I just wanted to say that the dark bamboo really looks awesome. I dislike the way chain link fences look and that makes it look way more natural. Great job, I hope things with your neighbor get resolved.

Good on you Poobear. Too often the crazies win because folks turn their heads. the yard is looking great and the bamboo screening adds a nice touch in addition to privacy. Be safe.

Your fence looks beautiful. I would like to add a thought for you to ponder if this neighbor continues his antics. First a short story about my daughter's ex-boyfriend who just could not understand that she wanted to break up with him.

Weird things would be moved from point A to point B while she was a work. While at work one day, her car was moved from one parking spot to another etc...the classic "gas-lighting." This went on for a couple of months before my daughter called me (I lived 2 1/2 hours away) completely in tears and afraid she was loosing her mind. Me, being the mama bear that I am, called him up. Said very calmly and sweetly "...don't do this, you don't want to mess with me and mine." Of course he swore up and down that he loved her and would never do anything to upset her.

I then made my daughter contact the police and called all our family, friends etc and we starting following him around. Nothing that would involve "stalking" of course, because he may see me only once every 10 days, but he would see my son, her bf, her cousin etc..Just enough to let him know he was being watched.

Then I set the bait. My birthday was coming up and with the help of the police department (this wasen't this boy's first rodeo according to the police) they put up hidden cameras in her house. I made a few calls to family and friend and said play up my facebook page about my bday party and how everyone is gonna be 2 1/2 hours away. They came, we partied, and sure enough the boy bought the bait. They had beautiful glossy photos of him in her house putting her socks on his hands and I'll leave it at that.

His lawyer had him plead guilty (8 x 10's don't lie) and while he didn't get jail time he did get 5 years probation. Now when the boy sees me he runs like hell.

The boy, like your neighbor is a nothing but a bully. They sense fear and it fuels their fire. Stomp back and they run like the scared babies they truely are. Next time he watches you, you and your neighbors start talking turns in each others lawn (daily) watching his house. Break out the ice tea and the crumb cake and have a good old bull session. You'll make him pack up and move so fast he won't know what hit him!

Hi poobear ~ just a note to say that I, like all of us I'm sure, am still thinking of you. We may not be able literally to *watch* out for you, but ... what happens matters.

Graces you certainly have your act together. Family has power.
Poo, please give us an update. We are wondering what happened after the bamboo went up.

Hey guys! Thanks for all the good thoughts and help! It has truly made a big difference :).

Update: I can't even describe how better it is that the bamboo is up! I don't know what the deal is.. but it seems that he is not home as much anymore now that the bamboo is up? (At least what I can tell when I come home from his car not being parked in the driveway..).

The great thing is I can't tell if he comes and goes! And the obvious that he can't see me and I can't see him! It has been so much better gardening, and I just feel much more comfortable. Feeling not so rushed to plant things is nice too, because I can take my time to decide plants I love.

One weird thing that I started to notice however.. was some weird noises coming from his house.. it's strange, I never heard them before.. and I can't really tell what it sounds like.. but 1. it must be loud since I can hear it from inside his house and 2. can't tell if it is crying and arguing over the phone or something, or some sort of porn?

I don't know if it is some sort of thing he is trying to do on purpose since he can no longer see me.. or if he just feels more comfortable and does more weird things by himself when he can't be seen.. This weekend I was tending to weeding near the fence line (which I can now do and not be visually creeped on!) and I swear the noises were going on for at least 6 hours.. On Monday I was deadheading some of my roses and I heard it too.

Another great benefit to the bamboo fence, is that it seems to keep the weeds from his side at bay too. I can't remember if I had mentioned this.. but his yard is full of nasty blackberry bushes, foxtail, dandilions, ivy, nettle.. among a few.. at least I don't have to see the broken t.v. and garbage that has been sitting outside his house for almost a year now..

I realized I am starting to have another problem.. two of his large trees that hand way over on our property almost touching our roof seem to be in poor condition. One is a red cedar, which I don't mind as it provides shade and I think we can just cut it back from our roof, but the other is a beautiful tree (I think some sort of old cherry?) as it is deciduous, 30+ ft tall?, has red cherry looking fruit (which seem to be dropping off now in June), and are smaller than cherries.., with white, pink, and green colors in different seasons.. anyways.. I am concerned that it is infected with a disease and bad insects.. problem is I am obviously too afraid to confront about this.. and I am pretty sure in Washington State, you must at least notify, if not ask permission to cut back a neighbors tree that is overhanging the line.. and I think you can be arrested if you damage a neighbors tree (we have strong environmental laws here!) One of my biggest worries is that it will destroy my shaded plant garden (along with the house.. Like I said, I don't mind the tree since it is pretty and the other is a nice shade..

I am attaching some photos asking what you guys may think I should do? I don't know whether I am overreacting or if this should be something I address.. If it is a valid concern I should have, what do you think is the best way to handle the situation? I don't want the trees cut down, or even cut back too far, but I don't want sick infected branches falling on me, my plants or my house!

The pictures #1,2, &4 are of the cherry? tree and where the branches look dead or in poor health. They have no foliage on them, and in one shot you can see this web type thing on it. #3 & 5 are photos of how much the cedar overhangs onto the house.

Anyways, I would appreciate any and all advice you guys have for me!

Thanks :)

So glad to hear you have piece of mind thanks to instant bamboo.
Could the tree be. Crabapple tree. Maybe this extra foliage will help hide what is on the other side. I know my DH would be having fits if the branches were on our roof and in the gutter.

Oh a crabapple tree seems like it might be it! I really like the foliage and the tree is so beautiful and the cedar is a nice shade. But, the cedar does seem to attract mold on our roof (at least that area is the only part that has mold on it?) and both trees overhang a low power line that goes down our property to a pole on our property that connects to his house and used to connect to the original structure of our property that we tore down (apparently the people before us rented it out.. but the house was in such bad shape it gave me vertigo!)

I have no idea as to IDing the trees, but I would check with your agent on your Homeowner's insurance. There are so many ins and outs on coverage for damage to property....you could wind up being responsible for damage to your property from his tree. If you had an arborist/County Co-op Agent look at the trees and certify there is disease and possible danger to property, then there are a number of ways to deal with it without having to confront the creepy neighbor face to face. The power company may also be of help since the trees are on the power lines, particularly if the area is considered a utility right of way.

The web-like thing looks like tent caterpillars, at least that's what we call them. Also, I have heard, but you should verify, that if a neighbors tree or foliage is over the property line, meaning on your side, you can trim it. Usually if on good terms, I would ask the neighbor to trim it first, but not in this case (Mr. Creepy)

If you have any of the caterpillar nests on your side, I would clip the branch off just below and dispose. We used to burn them, but I guess we can't burn anymore either.

Do you know how much longer the park will be closed?

Yea I am pretty sure they are tent caterpillars too.. at least, I have killed about 10 or so I have found on the laurels underneath the tree .. and I think they just dropped off from the tree or something? I talked to my husband and showed him this post with some suggestions, and he seemed to not be concerned about bug infestations, but said he is going to get on the roof and cut back any parts that he can reach. He called the power company, and they said that keeping the power line clear of trees is property owner responsibility since it is an easement on our property. I guess the neighbor is not legally responsible to keep trees from growing on our side, but is responsible if an accident happens. The laurel that I found the caterpillars on I basically cut way back so there is hardly any leaves on them.. and haven't seen the caterpillars on my plants since.. but before I knew they were bad caterpillars when I saw one on the ground I would place it on a plant (as I thought caterpillars meant butterflies and they were good.. silly about these).. but it seemed they won't touch any of my plants besides those laurels so that is good.. a few days later my mom told me they were very bad and remove them asap so I did.

The park will be open by the 4th of July! They are having a kids carnival and planning lots of fun things! I am on the board for Angle Lake so I actually created the flyer soon to be handed out ;). I will also be the one announcing for the swim races, so you should def come to the park on the 4th! Everyday I hear the machines working at the park, and I live on the complete opposite side of the lake! With the park closed the lake has been so quiet this year.. Last year it was fun to watch all the people enjoying the sunny days.. and this year it feels so empty! Although, the boat launch and fishing pier are still open.

Keep active with neighbors and the community. Sometimes you learn things about others (sir creepy) that may help you in the future.
Is he old or young. Could he have been in the army and is having some sort of mental issues

I agree with having a professional look at the trees. I can see a couple of things, good and bad.

Tent caterpillars. If you can kill the tent caterpillars, and prevent their return next year that part of the tree may leaf out again.

Branches with no leaves, showing missing or damaged bark are highly likely dead, and should be pruned out into good, healthy wood. If you can do this, OK, but some of the branches may be too high, too large, or may be near a power line. I do a lot of my own tree work, but I call an expert when the branches around power lines need to be pruned.

Branches that are touching your house should be pruned away, as high up as you (or your husband) can reach. As you have found out the lack of air circulation can keep things too wet, encouraging fungi. I would do this no matter what the regulations are. Just get up there and take care of it.

Overall, it looks like there is plenty of healthy green growth on these trees, so a bit of pruning ought to shape them up really nicely. Leave enough for the shade you want, but get rid of the problems. If it takes a professional and a permit to get the work done, it is well worth it.

Thanks for the advice! Diana - I don't know any professionals that would be knowledgeable about trees, but I am sure I can find one by searching on the internet and asking around. I would be sad if the crabapple tree died and it was preventable by just a few trimming branches.. I noticed that small pieces are starting to fall off (branches anywhere between 3 - 12 inches), I don't know why all of the sudden they are starting to fall in small pieces? The red cedar looks super healthy (the one hitting our house) and the crabapple that comes over on our side is unhealthy looking, but it looks like it was pruned wrong at one point, as it is a full size trunk off shoot from the main trunk about 1/2 way up.

peg - I would be REALLY shocked if he had been in the military.. He is middle aged, has 2 very expensive cars, and my best bet is that he was spoiled and given everything and developed some sort of weird anti-social personality. I mean who really knows.. but whatever it is.. he is gross and I am glad I don't have to deal with him looking at me weird anymore! I can enjoy my pretty plants without having a uncomfortable face staring directly at me right behind them..

Good for you. You sound as though you have gone from scared to determined. Glad to hear that.

Ask the local police to keep a look out for the Creep on 4th July party around the lake as there will be lots of young kids and girls/ladies in swim wear or skimpy summer clothes for comfort, just the type of party any local perv would think he had died and gone to heaven just to peep at the unsuspecting party goers.
Hope the day goes without a hitch as I know the amount of work, energy, money and organisation goes into a day like you are involved in. just take good care of yourself and ENJOY.
Be thinking about you.
Best Regards. WeeNel.

Try going to the sex offenders website in your area. I feel you can never be too cautious. Hope his name is no there.

Great idea plantsforpeg, I know from working several years ago with youngsters who have been abused mentally or sexually- physically, that a perv who has not been listed onto an offenders is list is in reality only a perv not yet found out or reported and found guilty.
Never be fooled by a name missing from any list, in today's world I always recommend officially reporting the case or even any suspicions you have, as at best it gets them off the streets or away from public, but hopefully prevents others from being abused or assaulted by a perv who is getting braver as he thinks the police cant touch him through lack of proof /evidence / witnesses,or whatever.
Sounds like both Poobear and the local police are trying get rid of this creep but even IF that happens he will just go perv elsewhere, he's a sick coward and thinks he hold the power over his female neighbour but, she has proved he has no power over her at all thank goodness,
I would call the cops when I hear the horrid noises from his place and at the end of the day, your just showing concern for the folks next door who after all may have been getting attacked (Yeh right) or he might be holding someone, These creeps don't care so long as they can carry on their depraved behaviour. His problems probably stem from his childhood with his mother / father.

Happy gardening season and best regards. WeeNel.

We are proud of you poo. I use to work for child abuse for ten years. My position didn't require any hands on with victims, but have heard stories that are hard to believe.

Good advice from Diana_K about having a pro look at the tree. Tree work is best done by certified (!) arborists. It may cost more but is worth it in the long run. Also, contact your city govt. to find out the local regulations regarding trees that cross property lines. I have 2 huge red oak trees, one is at least 100 yrs old, and they stretch out and over my neighbors' houses on both sides. My neighbors have the legal right to 'butcher' (my word) any part of my tree that is on their side of the property line. I'm lucky to have good neighbors who have agreed that if they ever feel my tree is encroaching too much, they will let me know and we'll get one of the 4 or 5 certified arborists that I like to do the work. Not been a problem as I'm usually keeping up with the trees. I'm sure that you can find a good pro or 2 to give you advice and estimates. Try to get references and also see if they're bonded, insured, etc.

Question for you or anyone about the bamboo fence. How durable is it? I've been considering it as a temporary measure, temporary (for me) being more than a year or two or three. LOL.
Also, it looks like you already had the chain link fence and thus were able to attach the bamboo fence to the chain link to hold it up. True? (I have approx. 150 linear ft. of 8 ft cedar fence that needs replacing but don't have the $$. Thought some areas could be helped with the addition of bamboo fencing.)

So sorry about your other troubles. I think everyone else has given you great advice and I'll just add my well wishes.

Forgot to mention one thing about selecting plants for your area. Most of the tags that come with the plants are fairly generic. One might say 'full sun' but 'full sun' in Texas might be 'fuller' than somewhere else. Heck, we even have differing types of 'full sun' in different parts of the state. So as someone else pointed out, be sure to do some research that is specific to your locale.