killer view

we have a large yard-2/3 of an acre that is mostly sloped and has a nice population of old trees.  we also have three neighbors bordering our corner lot.  our neighbors uphill keep their yard closely clipped and neat.  our neighbor behind us likes to garden and has a nice deck and landscaping.  unfortunately, our neighbor downhill does not have any interest in aesthetics-he won't even mow his yard.  at this point, only a bush hog would cut through the shrubs that have taken over the yard. 

when we stand in our back yard, this is the view we have of our neighbors yard.

the property line between the yards is obvious; we mow regularly, he does not.

the entire yard looks like this, front and back.  this is the view down the line to the street.

in one section of the yard, there are hundreds if not thousands of chinese privet plants growing.

it might not be so bad if they weren't such an invasive non-native plant.  they quickly spread and can easily choke out the native plants.  we have them coming up in our lawn as well as in a flower bed in front of the house-all unwelcome volunteers!

a view of the privet forest.  behind the tree is the ever expanding bamboo/river cane forest, another unwelcome and invasive  species that will eventually work it's way into our yard. 

chinese privet usually have an abundant crop of small black berries.  these berries sprout easily and new plants come up everywhere.  unfortunately, birds love to eat them and they tend to spread the seeds in their droppings.  this allows the plants to spread even more.  we will never be able to get rid of the shrubs but we hope to at least control it's invasion.