Privacy landscape

[meisal]

OK I just built a house on 2.5 acres. Put it 450' from the road. My neighbor who hasn't built a house yet but has decided to build a pole barn directly out our kitchen window. Our lot is only 138' wide and over 800' deep.

The reason he's doing this is because we had our property surveyed & paid to have the right of way cleared for electric. So now he can get electric from our pole and know where his property line is with no expense.
It's a long story. He doesn't have any money. Feel bad for him but he's taking away the fun of having land with privacy.

My ? is: what is a good type of tree, shrubs, weeds, whatever to to block him out?
We have been looking at the Leyland Cypress which grows fast and is an evergreen.

Any other suggestions?

[rabadger]

Did you have to pay for the poll? Is it new? In some areas the person that had the service run down the street can receive a credit if anyone hooks on.

Lots of evergreens and K-Grow.

[meisal]

No we didn't have to pay for the pole. The electric co. installed poles and transformer box. It was our baby from there to go underground to the house.

Funny thing is we tried numerous times to get this guy to give a 10' right-of-way & we would give the other 10'. But he constantly told us he was going on the other side of his property. But once we paid to have it cleared and signed over a 20' right-of-way to the elect. co. then all the sudden he changes his mind.

That's our plan. Lots of evergreens. They say the leyland cypress grows 2-4' per year.

[rabadger]

I would approach the electric company about it. If he is between you and the new line transformer and pole they should require him to pay for his part of the run.

Thats the way it is with water and sewer mains.

[meisal]

I did talk to the electric company. For whatever reason there is no cost to this guy.
In fact they told me that they contacted him several times to work out the right-of-way so that part of it would be on his property but he wouldn't give.

I guess he's smarter than the average bear.
Just let the neighbor pay for everything & give up the whole right-of-way.

Oh well that's life!

[David]

The best thing to do is to put up a big nightclub light (flashing, multicolor, really annoying) out his window.

[meisal]

hahahahahahaha
Knowing my luck he would invite all his friends over with leisure suits on to have a disco party!!!

The hardest part is keeping my wife from going to him and strangling him.

[rabadger]

Good idea Dave. Decorate the evergreens with 30,000 watt christmas lights on the back side only. Buy a big dog and chain him to the trees.

Just make sure the electric company knows you granted the right of way for the electric only and no driveways, walkways or any thing besides, electric maintenance trucks are allowed on the right of way.

[Cole]

Some people drive me insane.

I agree with the above statements, I really like the nightclub idea.

[rabadger]

I think it would work as long as they are out of city limits.

[David]

And when the ladies keep showing up, that neighbor's wife will make them sell and relocate!

And if that doesn't work, well, you could make it a man bar!

[dhill]

Red leaf photinias make a great hedge. They will grow to about 14 feet I think, but I'm not sure. They would probably do well in your area. They grow relatively fast. I've seen golf courses use them as buffer (or should I say duffer) and sight barriers. They stay evergreen, but the leaves shed and the tips turn red.