Castanet

I know there are height restrictions on fences in a yard...............in place so as not to block view, sun, etc. What about
height restrictions on cedar hedges, especially when they are getting to about 40 feet tall.

We have moved our garden beds three time now due to lack of sun and by seasons end the roots of the cedars have filled the beds.

Have spoke to the neighbour and be became quite aggressive when it was suggested he remove some or reduce their height.

What would you do???????

You have the right to cut anything that is on your side of the property line, including roots and branches.

If you are sure there are no water or gas lines along the border, dig deeply along the length of the border, on your side of course, and it will sever any and all roots coming onto your property. Unfortunately, it may kill the cedars on their side, but that will sort out the root problem......and, perhaps the shade problem.
You can rent little backhoes that would be dandy for this task.

two_shoes1mit wrote:What would you do???????

Be careful before chopping neighbouring tree roots - I'd be looking at what the legal ramifications are before doing anything drastic.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... e12698935/

^^ cool, my neighbor's been complaining about our monster trees for years, nice to find out hes now liable for half the removal costs.

Find the roots on your side, drill a small hole, insert roundup.....problem solved

Root pruning ought not do any damage if done with the old "1/3" rule. Remember, when shrubs are transplanted most of the roots are cut off, and generally survive quite nicely.

So if the roots were a problem for me, I would find the ends of them, then go back half the distance to the shrub and root prune with a sharp spade (steel shank boots help). Then the following year go back to about 2 ft from the property line, root prune to there. Repeat the close to property line root prune as necessary.

I'd speak to the neighbor about the problem.

If the neighbor isn't willing to help, I'd cut the roots/branches where I want to place my garden and hope they die.

That court ruling was in Ontario and has no impact here, it's also a fundamentally different case. Way easier to beg forgiveness...

LANDM wrote:If you are sure there are no water or gas lines along the border, dig deeply along the length of the border, on your side of course, and it will sever any and all roots coming onto your property. Unfortunately, it may kill the cedars on their side, but that will sort out the root problem......and, perhaps the shade problem.
You can rent little backhoes that would be dandy for this task.

Is it also true a small drill hole and a piece of copper wire inserted can also kill the roots... ( wink )

Be careful what you wish for...

Fences make good neighbours, Hedges... make great neighbours.

My one place has 30'+ hedge across the back, 15' + down each side.

Move your garden, of parts of it.
A little planning on your part, ie; shade areas get low light plants, and so on.

My neighbours and I have made it work, never had an issue,we all share and appreciate the privacies allowed with the hedge.
Everyone has gardens that flourish.

And the cynic in me says: why expect someone else to make concessions for you, when you
just need to use yer noggin' to work it out without involving them.

It makes far better neighbours. Likely even friendly, respectful neighbours over time.

There may be a building scheme on title that restricts the height. But you then have to enforce it legally.

copper nails

I don't think there are restrictions on hedges, but 6' max for fences is the standard residential bylaw. There could be problems in the future if either of the two neighbours sells and the new residents don't like what has been done.

alanjh595 wrote:I don't think there are restrictions on hedges, but 6' max for fences is the standard residential bylaw.

I thought a fence could be 6'6" I could be wrong ill have to look into that.
either way I think we should be aloud to go 8' if needed on fences lol. Some times a tall fence is just what's needed.

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Some municipalities have bylaws that regulate hedges like fences. Some hedges are practically fences. Hedges have become more common, and left unkept grow into neighbouring properties and/or adversely obstruct neighbor’s sunlight/views.
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"hedge means several shrubs or bushes closely planted in a row so that the branches and stems of adjacent plants grow together in a meshing or intertwining manner with little to no passable space left between the plants forming a compact, dense, linear barrier or enclosure;"
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