To Fence or Not to Fence

palides2021

palides2021

Well-known Member
Location
MidAtlantic, USA
My back yard has a split-rail fence. Every so often, a log or post will rot away and I have to replace it. My neighbor came by and asked if he could remove the split rail fence that faced his properly because one or two rails had fallen and they were not going back into the posts (either an old log or the post was old). I told him I will think about it. This was the same neighbor who a few weeks ago replaced one of my posts (facing his property) without first telling me about it. I just happened upon him doing it. (That's a whole other topic). At least he asked this time.

I have replaced most of the aging fence in the last few years. His side of the fence is now aging enough so that it needs repairs.

Here's the back story - When we moved into our house over 14 years ago, we inherited this split-rail fence. The previous owners had dogs, and they had wiring nailed to the fence, and we had removed the wiring. So it's just the rails and posts. Anyway, the fence borders our back yard, but it is aging. So I am thinking, instead of replacing these rails, why not remove the entire fence and add evergreens as a border? My neighbors on all sides have evergreens. I am the only one with the fence. I am considering the cost of doing both (replace rails, or remove them and plant trees).

Any comments, suggestions, or advice?
 

I think trees, shrubs or anything natural is good. They will need attention from neighbors on either side. I'm all for a six foot privacy fence, our preference for years. Good if you value privacy or you or your neighbor has, or will have dogs in the future. Almost forty years ago when we first bought our house, there was no fence on one side in the back yard and just a small white rail fence that offered no privacy or security/protection for our dog. We quickly put up a wood privacy fence with happy approval from the neighbors.

Spruces or evergreens are great to look at, but they grow, widen, and one or both of the neighbors will have to maintain them, plus they will not keep out dogs or children. Just my thoughts, don't really know your situation, but I think you'll make the right choice, good luck.
 
When we moved here we had a white vinyl "picket" fence built around the back yard to keep our dog safe. It cost $3000. We went out to look at it and our dog walked right through the fence posts. Sigh. So for an addition $1000 we had lattice work put in between the top and bottom rails. Doesn't look very good. I imagine the neighbors think it's an eyesore.

If I had it to over again I would get the black fencing I've seen in the neighborhood. It looks like wrought iron but is probably something else.
shopping
 

Della said:
When we moved here we had a white vinyl "picket" fence built around the back yard to keep our dog safe. It cost $3000. We went out to look at it and our dog walked right through the fence posts. Sigh. So for an addition $1000 we had lattice work put in between the top and bottom rails. Doesn't look very good. I imagine the neighbors think it's an eyesore.

If I had it to over again I would get the black fencing I've seen in the neighborhood. It looks like wrought iron but is probably something else.
shopping
Click to expand...
I have that black iron work rail on my small front porch in Spain, within our gated community, and white Balustrades at the back ........lemme find a photo...

15363.jpg



With regard Palides's fence problem.... here in the UK with my large gardens..I have a 6 foot privacy fence both sides... with all the trees and shrubs growing in front of them. At the back I have Willow fencing .. and a 30 feet Cherry laurel hedge...

If I was in a situation like you I would happily take the fence panels down.... and just grow the fast growing shrubs .. and hedges ... the only thing I would be concerned about would be other people animals getting through into my garden..
 
Last edited:
SeaBreeze said:
I think trees, shrubs or anything natural is good. They will need attention from neighbors on either side. I'm all for a six foot privacy fence, our preference for years. Good if you value privacy or you or your neighbor has, or will have dogs in the future. Almost forty years ago when we first bought our house, there was no fence on one side in the back yard and just a small white rail fence that offered no privacy or security/protection for our dog. We quickly put up a wood privacy fence with happy approval from the neighbors.

Spruces or evergreens are great to look at, but they grow, widen, and one or both of the neighbors will have to maintain them, plus they will not keep out dogs or children. Just my thoughts, don't really know your situation, but I think you'll make the right choice, good luck.
Click to expand...
You brought up some good tips, @SeaBreeze! I agree with you that evergreens will not keep out dogs or children. I am also thinking of evergreens that are low maintenance.
 
Della said:
When we moved here we had a white vinyl "picket" fence built around the back yard to keep our dog safe. It cost $3000. We went out to look at it and our dog walked right through the fence posts. Sigh. So for an addition $1000 we had lattice work put in between the top and bottom rails. Doesn't look very good. I imagine the neighbors think it's an eyesore.

If I had it to over again I would get the black fencing I've seen in the neighborhood. It looks like wrought iron but is probably something else.
shopping
Click to expand...
In your case, @Della, having a dog makes a difference because the fence is needed. I like the image you sent. Thanks!
 
hollydolly said:
I have that black iron work rail on my small front porch in Spain, within our gated community, and white Balustrades at the back ........lemme find a photo...

15363.jpg



With regard Paladin's fence problem.... here in the UK with my large gardens..I have a 6 foot privacy fence both sides... with all the trees and shrubs growing in front of them. At the back I have Willow fencing .. and a 30 feet Cherry laurel hedge...

If I was in a situation like you I would happily take the fence panels down.... and just grow the fast growing shrubs .. and hedges ... the only thing I would be concerned about would be other people animals getting through into my garden..
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, @holly! I like the photo you sent! I was watching some Youtube videos on evergreens and they grow 1-2 feet per year. So I might plant them first and then take the fence down at a later time....
 
palides2021 said:
My back yard has a split-rail fence. Every so often, a log or post will rot away and I have to replace it. My neighbor came by and asked if he could remove the split rail fence that faced his properly because one or two rails had fallen and they were not going back into the posts (either an old log or the post was old). I told him I will think about it. This was the same neighbor who a few weeks ago replaced one of my posts (facing his property) without first telling me about it. I just happened upon him doing it. (That's a whole other topic). At least he asked this time.

I have replaced most of the aging fence in the last few years. His side of the fence is now aging enough so that it needs repairs.

Here's the back story - When we moved into our house over 14 years ago, we inherited this split-rail fence. The previous owners had dogs, and they had wiring nailed to the fence, and we had removed the wiring. So it's just the rails and posts. Anyway, the fence borders our back yard, but it is aging. So I am thinking, instead of replacing these rails, why not remove the entire fence and add evergreens as a border? My neighbors on all sides have evergreens. I am the only one with the fence. I am considering the cost of doing both (replace rails, or remove them and plant trees).

Any comments, suggestions, or advice?
Click to expand...
Same thing here, we and the side neighbor had a shared split rail fence. Getting really old with some falling posts and just worn out. We decided to split the cost and had a brand new split fence installed. They had wire installed, too, because they have a dog and I had a cat.

As far as greenery instead of a wooden fence in the back of the house, we had that and it was a lot of work to keep trimmed. It was hibiscus bushes that lined the entire back and the other neighbor's side yard. Bubble Bees liked to bore nests into the branches.
 
Olivia said:
Same thing here, we and the side neighbor had a shared split rail fence. Getting really old with some falling posts and just worn out. We decided to split the cost and had a brand new split fence installed. They had wire installed, too, because they have a dog and I had a cat.

As far as greenery instead of a wooden fence in the back of the house, we had that and it was a lot of work to keep trimmed. It was hibiscus bushes that lined the entire back and the other neighbor's side yard. Bubble Bees liked to bore nests into the branches.
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing your information on fencing. The picture of a row of hibiscus bushes sounds very inviting. We used to grow them on our other property.
 
One thing to consider is that a tall fence can cut down on your breeze. That's why I like all the fences posted that let the breeze through.
We've gone back and forth about a fence through the years but ended up with a natural fence on the side with close neighbors with loropatelum, azaleas, euonymous, and around a Camelia that was already there. The loropatelum filled in the gaps quick.
We don't have pets and welcome the neighbors cats for mice control.
 
hearlady said:
One thing to consider is that a tall fence can cut down on your breeze. That's why I like all the fences posted that let the breeze through.
We've gone back and forth about a fence through the years but ended up with a natural fence on the side with close neighbors with loropatelum, azaleas, euonymous, and around a Camelia that was already there. The loropatelum filled in the gaps quick.
We don't have pets and welcome the neighbors cats for mice contr
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, @hearlady! I agree about the breeze. I've been looking into adding a Camelia or two. They are such beautiful flowers. I watched a Youtube video and found out that one needs to add ericaceous soil first before planting. Ever heard of that term? Any information about growing Camelias would be greatly appreciated!
 
palides2021 said:
Thanks for the information, @hearlady! I agree about the breeze. I've been looking into adding a Camelia or two. They are such beautiful flowers. I watched a Youtube video and found out that one needs to add ericaceous soil first before planting. Ever heard of that term? Any information about growing Camelias would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Camelias as are slow growing so maybe not for that application. Ours was already there.
 
Fences tween neighbors require some friendly discussion with cold drinks

Shared expenses, tastes in decor and practicality. possible gates. maintenance come into play.....

I find it best to just repair if not discussing these things

Love the thought of thick shrubs
 
palides2021 said:
My neighbor came by and asked if he could remove the split rail fence that faced his properly because one or two rails had fallen and they were not going back into the posts (either an old log or the post was old). I told him I will think about it. This was the same neighbor who a few weeks ago replaced one of my posts (facing his property) without first telling me about it.
Click to expand...

Besides your need to fence in pets or kids you might want to know what this neighbor needs to keep fenced. If he is happy to have just a green divide without fencing you might want to make sure your expectations are compatible for what that means to you both. Around where I live there are people who have taken down the fences between many properties and utilize the space as a jointly held private park. If you’d prefer that everyone respect the boundary even without a fence it might be good to make sure he is understanding it the same way.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/no-fences-make-good-neighbors-berkeley-2556239.php
 
Gary O' said:
Fences tween neighbors require some friendly discussion with cold drinks

Shared expenses, tastes in decor and practicality. possible gates. maintenance come into play.....

I find it best to just repair if not discussing these things

Love the thought of thick shrubs
Click to expand...
The fence belongs to me, so I've been footing the bill to replace and repair it (1/2 acre). Just that one time the neighbor decided to help out is when he became involved. Meanwhile, I just had a home improvement guy come over and have a look. Instead of replacing the two posts (they are too thin), he will add wood to fill them out, so the logs (rails) can reach them better and not keep falling, if that makes sense.

Yes, thick shrubs are a good idea!
 
MarkD said:
Besides your need to fence in pets or kids you might want to know what this neighbor needs to keep fenced. If he is happy to have just a green divide without fencing you might want to make sure your expectations are compatible for what that means to you both. Around where I live there are people who have taken down the fences between many properties and utilize the space as a jointly held private park. If you’d prefer that everyone respect the boundary even without a fence it might be good to make sure he is understanding it the same way.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/no-fences-make-good-neighbors-berkeley-2556239.php
Click to expand...
I'm quite territorial, @MarkD, so I don't think I'll be sharing my property with anyone anytime soon, lol. The community already has a private park and the properties in this neighborhood are spacious. The neighbors have grandchildren so the wife prefers the fence. I can understand that. I don't have dogs or grandchildren (maybe in the future). Little by little, we're getting to a resolution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top