Trees or Bushes

Janice1966

Please help. We have just bought a house with a beautiful garden (a first for us) As the weather has been nice all I want to do is come home from work and sit for a while in my garden and relax. This is our 2nd week here. BUT my neighbours are smoking something ilegal and wafts over into our garden it stinks awful, We are so upset. Is there a Bush or tree that would help block/illiminate this stench?  We are new to the area so knocking on and having a kind word is not an option. Please please help. 

Fairygirl

How horrible for you, Janice. I don't think there's anything that would help in the form of shrubs etc, but perhaps an anonymous call to the boys in blue might be the way to go.

Janice1966

Thank you for your reply. I thought about making the call but I don't really think it would stop them. 

Helix

I wonder whether this sort of thing would help?  If you work out where the prevailing winds come from, and can mount it fairly high then it might divert the smoke.....?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D3KGIYG/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00D3KGIYG&pd_rd_w=IZW2C&pf_rd_p=e2bfafb5-111e-4906-b089-5d691a51d45f&pd_rd_wg=ADaAO&pf_rd_r=ADAH9AA2XDJ5E1RYRVDJ&pd_rd_r=d2c7519d-7680-11e9-bbfb-cb6be4ff4fa0

pansyface

Nice one, Helix.

Of course, depending on which way the wind blows, you could hang bits of a dead sheep up. (Not as unusual as it sounds. My brother, while at vet school, decided that he needed a sheep’s skull for his studies. He bought one, hung it in the family apple tree and buzzed off back to university for a couple of months leaving us with the sight and smell.)😁

Janice1966

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. The sheep bits could be interesting 😁😁
It's the smell that's the problem.  What they do in their garden is their business but the minute they come out into their garden the stench wafts over and we have to go inside.  I agree with you that reporting them could cause us more problems if we do report them I just thought planting some dense bush or tree might help. I am starting to think we have made the wrong move 😢 

Janice1966

You are right. There are so many people in the same position. I just wish it didn't smell so bad. We moved here because of the privacy, the garden and how quiet it was.  I will try to look on the brightside. 

Obelixx

It's unfortunate but, if you don't want to tackle them directly you need to erect a fence or plant a screen of hedging which will slow down the flow of air and thus smells and then plant your own perfumed plants. 

In the meantime, try hanging some really annoying wind chimes out there tho I suppose wacky baccy will diminish its effect on them or else light a smelly torch or BBQ when the wind is blowing towards them.  That way at least they'll realise that smells travel and maybe be a bit more careful.

Janice1966

Hello, thank you for your response.
Exactly what I am thinking, I just wondered if there was a specific type of Bush or tree which would be best for the screen. (Probably the most dense and quick growing with a nice smell)  At least I can look forward to sitting out in my garden in winter! 🙄

Obelixx

Beware of fast growing.  They end up being thugs that need lots of trimming.  Better to take your time and decide on what suits you best for your location, soil, aspect etc and, in the meantime, erect a temporary screen such as a roll of split bamboo or willow stems or rushes that can be attached to fence posts.  

That gives you time to decide on hedge/arbour/fence/colours/texture etc as well as prepare the soil, source your materials and work out a budget.

Janice1966

What you describe would fit perfectly into our garden especially within the problem area. 
I will do some research on these temporary screens at lunch time.  Thank you! I really do appreciate your help.