Ilive in a neighborhood whose original houses were built 75 years ago.

Those homes are modest single-story bungalows on 6,500-square-foot lots. However, as is the case in many Los Angeles neighborhoods, such homes are slowly being removed. In their place, two-story homes are being built. From the second story, you look down into your neighbor’s backyard. A transformation of this sort occurred a few years ago on a property next to mine. The new neighbors had a house party, and from their second floor, although set back at some distance from our property line, I had a perfect view of my backyard. However, the new neighbors did plant a privacy hedge along the redwood fence between us.

Unfortunately, this hedge was planted just two feet from our fence and the plant chosen was Indian laurel f

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