Is It Ever Appropriate to Trim Your Neighbor's Plants?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to front-yard landscaping. Some people prefer nothing but a bare lawn. Others grow vegetables in raised beds. Still others turn their front yards into meadows of wildflowers (though some homeowners' associations forbid that). But there are certain landscaping features that are universally bad for the front yard, no matter where you live. Keep your neighbors happy by avoiding these front-yard faux pas that are definitely eyesores. 1.) An Overgrown Jungle No matter your landscaping preferences, an overgrown jungle is always an eyesore. We're talking chest-high weeds, vines growing through your trees, and an ominous, shadowy landscape that has the neighbors nervously looking over their shoulders. Now is the time to hack back the jungle and reassert some order in your yard. A space that looks intentional is a lot less likely to rile up the neighborhood. 2.) Dead Trees And Shrubs You can't always get the tree service out right away, but you shouldn't leave dead trees and shrubs in the front yard indefinitely. They don't just look ugly; they can cause problems. A large tree could fall and damage a house or fence. Dead landscaping can be a fire hazard if it's near your home. And finally, a tree with serious diseases or pests that might infect the rest of the neighborhood should be removed as soon as possible. 3.) Weedy Driveways Concrete and gravel can become an eyesore once weeds grow through the cracks and take over. This is an ongoing problem with hardscaping, but you can often keep weeds in check by repairing broken concrete or filling seams. An organic weed killer can be handy in areas where weeds repeatedly poke through. 4.) Plastic Plants We understand: Not all of us have a green thumb or the time and energy to fuss over flowers. But fake plants can become a real eyesore. Many aren't very attractive to start with, and they will fade and turn moldy over time. Look for maintenance-free grasses or shrubs to plant in your yard instead. 5.) Rubber Mulch Rubber mulch appeals to some people because it provides a cushion and doesn't really break down. While some of us don't mind the look of shredded rubber, we're putting this one in the eyesore category anyway. Rubber mulch may leach toxic chemicals into the soil and make your yard smell like hot tires. If you want a mulch that won't decompose, use gravel instead. 6.) Trash Cans And A/C Units If your trash cans or utilities are within view of the street, do your neighbors a favor and find a way to hide them. One small trellis or fence panel often does the trick. You can also plant evergreen shrubs as a screen for A/C units and utility boxes. This can double as a good way to hide garden hoses and wheelbarrows. Source