A fence against the bare side of the hedge would look better than paint, but it would have to be done by the neighbour who owns the lane - their land, their expense.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@KT53 yes, I know that the neighbour has the right to cut off growth that hangs over his side of a boundary but he could be asked to be reasonable and considerate and not butcher the plants.
Any new hedge planted in the future needs to be planted well enough inside the boundary line to ensure it can grow healthily and cope with being cut back to the line.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
It’s a difficult situation you are faced with but I would just explain that you cannot afford to remove and replant the hedge at the moment as you have other priorities. It doesn’t look good but I’ve seen much worse examples. I don’t really think it’s any worse than a wooden fence but I certainly wouldn’t let anyone paint it! At least you have a green screen on your side which will provide privacy and some protection from the elements. Try not to get drawn into the feuding between neighbours and see if tensions subside over winter as the hedge becomes part of the landscape. The neighbour who objects to the look of the hedge can alter the view by putting up a fence or hedge within his own boundary.
My inclination would be to replace that hedge with a wooden fence. You can then plant whatever you like on your side. However, that would have to be as and when you can afford to do so. It’s not your responsibility to improve your neighbours view, and presumably it looks ok on your side? Re the neighbour who organised cutting the hedge, if you had a fence, within your boundary, you wouldn’t be risking encroaching on his roadway in the future. Re the neighbour who is unhappy with the view of the shorn hedge, I’d sympathise profusely, but point out that it isn’t possible for you to afford a solution in the near future. As @Plantminded has said, if they want to improve their view, they can put fencing or planting within their own boundaries at their own expense. Certainly don’t consider doing anything that would jeopardise your own privacy, or spend money you need for other home improvements that you will benefit from. They may well get used to the view as it is, or indeed, move away!
I agree with the others who say it's not a problem of your making so, while being sympathetic, you shouldn't get drawn into it. To show willing, though, you could give the neighbour who doesn't like the view the option of paying for you to replace the hedge with something of your choice. If it really bothers them that much, are they prepared to fork out to resolve it? If not, then I would also go with the idea of them screening from their property.
I would also not let them paint it, it sounds environmentally awful.
With each year that passes Leylandii continues to grow at a rapid rate. The bigger they are the more expense they are to remove. The soil will be 'spent' and need nourishing plus new plants which could take a decade to reach a similar height. It could look so much better for all.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
As a temporary solution until you have the funds to replace the hedge, you could consider buying a few rolls of this sort of stuff to cover the brown side of the hedge.
It’s hard to tell from your picture but I’m wondering just how much of your hedge the upset neighbour can see given the tall planting on the other side of the lane. And even if it is highly visible, no one is forcing them to look at it.
This sounds like bad feeling between your two neighbours and I would just stay out of it. Change the hedge if you want to when it suits you. Otherwise just enjoy your new home and garden. 😊
Most conifers don't regrow if cut back to brown wood.
I had a hedge like yours (3m, Chamaecyparis lawsonianan elwoodii actually) and planted ivies. THey grew rapidly and did a good cover job.. Hederic hibernica was the variety I used.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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Any new hedge planted in the future needs to be planted well enough inside the boundary line to ensure it can grow healthily and cope with being cut back to the line.
Re the neighbour who is unhappy with the view of the shorn hedge, I’d sympathise profusely, but point out that it isn’t possible for you to afford a solution in the near future. As @Plantminded has said, if they want to improve their view, they can put fencing or planting within their own boundaries at their own expense. Certainly don’t consider doing anything that would jeopardise your own privacy, or spend money you need for other home improvements that you will benefit from. They may well get used to the view as it is, or indeed, move away!
I would also not let them paint it, it sounds environmentally awful.
As a temporary solution until you have the funds to replace the hedge, you could consider buying a few rolls of this sort of stuff to cover the brown side of the hedge.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TUPARKA-Woodland-Camouflage-Military-Shooting/dp/B07QVCL8L9/ref=asc_df_B07QVCL8L9/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=294734248962&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13346212668281846011&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046821&hvtargid=pla-740673141018&th=1&psc=1
I wouldn't normally advocate buying plastic goods .... but it might look OK from the viewpoint of the neighbour who is complaining.
Just an idea.
Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
I had a hedge like yours (3m, Chamaecyparis lawsonianan elwoodii actually) and planted ivies. THey grew rapidly and did a good cover job.. Hederic hibernica was the variety I used.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."