Should I plant my hedge a few feet inside my property so that I can trim it from the other side ?

Question

Without having to intrude on my neighbors yard?

I am planting a 50 foot Canadian Hemlock hedge down the side of my driveway and neighbor's yard on the others side. I would like to have as much property as possible before the hedge , but was thinking that I should have a few feet on the other side of it to trim it without stepping on my neighbors yard. I know this may seem silly , but I know that I would have a funny feeling about my next door neighbor stepping in my front yard to trim the other side of his hedge, but would not say anything about it.
What do you think?
I just hate that I will have to also mow the grass a few feet on the other side as well.

FOR YOU FIRST THREE ANSWERERS, I LIVE IN THE US, I DONT KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, BUT I WOULD BE VERY UPSET IF I WAS EXPECTED TO TRIM MY NEIGHBORS HEDGE!!
I MEAN I DONT LIVE IN MR. RODGERS NEIGHBORHOOD YOU KNOW!

Answer 1

Depending on where you live, any natural (hedge) or artificial (fence) barrier that you erect on your property is usually your responsibility and should be installed on your side of the property line, unless the neighbor is paying half and agrees to have it placed directly on the property line.

As for maintenance of the hedge, you will be responsible for BOTH sides of the hedge as it grows taller and wider if it is on YOUR property.

Through a negotiation with your present neighbor, you can find out if they are willing to maintain their side, or if they expect you to maintain it when you do the other side.

Legally, any branches or part of the hedge that hangs over his property is your responsibility and he could request in writing that you remove the overhang or have it done and send you the bill. Again, this depends on what state or province that you are in. Local regulations may apply differently.

When we moved in to our home, we inherited a rather large hedge that was never maintained well beside us. It was eventually 8 feet high and 6 or more feet wide down the length of one property line and took up more than 400 square feet of the property.

Our neighbor never complained when we were trimming the hedge, and we always cleaned up the clippings after we were done so they never had any work to do. (But I do know what you mean, it feels strange to be walking in someone else's backyard, or when you see a neighbor walking in your yard unexpectedly)

When we finally decided to take our hedge down, we made sure to consult the neighbors and let them know what we had planned. The hedge was entirely on our side of the line, but we wanted to be sure that they were not against the changes nor did we want to start a fight with people we have to live next to for several years.

By the way, keep this in mind: Even if you put the hedge six feet in on your side of the property line, once that hedge is up, unless there is also a fence behind it, it will STILL feel like you are intruding on a neighbor's property. Over time or if you get new neighbors, they will probably feel like that part on the other side of the hedge is actually their yard anyway.

Answer 2

Your neighborhood, county, etc may have laws about this already. Speak to the County / Borough manager's office. Normally a property owner is responsible for both sides of a hedge, even when it's FULL grown, to be within the confines of his own yard.

Legally you can not enter the neighbor's yard to do maintenance on your property. (Liability issue if you get hurt). Check your home owners policy also about coverage if you are in his yard. Nor is it HIS responsibility to care for, trim, your hedge on his side.

You most likely have to find the full grown spread distance of the hedge, take that into consideration, and move it into your yard accordingly. If that doesn't give you the room you need, consider a different species or a fence.

Answer 3

First of all speak to your neighbour about it to avoid any conflict later on. If you both agree to have hedge, then plant it at the boundary. In this way there should be no problems arising and the neighbours trim the hedge on their own side. Peace n' Quiet.

Answer 4

LOL. the first time hearing of this. good consideration, but nah don't think u need to. make friends with the neighbour! all will be sorted out, who knows he'll even mow it for you

Answer 5

No! They should be responsible for the hedge on their side. Unless they want it to look messy, they'll take care of it.

Answer 6

its there problem not yours but if u like your neighbour explain what your planning 2 do.........if u dont like them dont bother