Ugly Neighbors

We have a small apartment building kiddie corner to our house, and our back yards share 85 feet of wooded area. They use theirs for a parking lot, while I have a woodland garden. I need something to hide their cars from view, and also keep the tenants from walking their dogs in my garden in the winter. (This happened so many times last year, I threatened to shoot them...) The property line runs about 3 feet behind the large cedars, so they only have about 1 -2 feet of wooded area. I would like to plant a bunch of vines, and fasten large 'trellises' for them to climb on... maybe posts with wire strung between them. A fence isn't an option because we sunk $1000 into a surveyor last spring just to find out the lot lines are all screwed up and it would take much more $ to figure it all out. (But I do know where the line splitting the parking lot from my yard is, just can't prove it...) Anyway, this is such a tough area because it's in full shade all day, and I don't have room for any more trees. I really need something vertical, fast growing, that leaves a winter skeleton, and won't take over my woodland garden. There are tons of ferns covering the line, and I don't want to displace them either. Can anyone help??

I'm thinking a woven wire fence would work. Hog panels perhaps? Drive metal stakes into the ground to hold the fence. Plant your vines at intervals so it doesn't appear the only reason for installing the fence is to keep the neighbors out. I think it could be done for around $200 and some volunteer labor. As long as you are somewhat certain the fence is on your property it places the burden of proving it is not in your neighbor's lap. I'm also thinking wires strung between poles could be deemed a safety hazard and the city would make you take it down if the neighbor complained.

Wishing you luck,
Gary

If you will post your question on the Shady Garden Forum, I am sure someone there will help you.

Thanks guys. I think I will get some bittersweet to grow back there.

How about some booby traps for now just to scare the neighbours off till we all get our heads around your problems, like low voltage electric wires to stake you trees, he, he, he, then when they get used to that, a hose pipe that comes on by movement, electrical of course, or a line of mirrors to show them what nasty people they really are, failing that a loudspeaker to scare there precious dogs, so when the dogs cross the line, then a loud shriek shouts "peeping Toms" over and over again, I heard that lion droppings keeps deer away, maybe it will work on dogs and neighbours, ha, ha, ha, failing that, maybe the mafia to beat them up, Sorry but I know these were not the answers you were thinking about, but I've had fun just picturing your neighbours antics when all that hits them, WeeNel.

How about planting some poison ivy along the fence line? That probably wouldn't work in the winter time tho. Hmmmm..... Clothes line? Naa, wintertime again.
Seriously, I know how frustrating annoying neighbors can be. Your home and property are supposed to be a sanctuary where you can go to get away from the agravations of life. I do hope you can get this problem solved without getting an ulcer.

Oh my goodness, you guys are great! I could electrify the poison ivy!

Too bad it's in shade. You could plant some type of shrub that has wicked thorns--I believe that would stop them in their tracks. Or maybe some yucca--that some bad stuff to run into too! Also, the dogs might think twice about peeing on your plants if they "bite" LOL!