Is this a stupid idea?

[ginandwineandbaileys]

My neighbour on one side won't repair his fence,I have a willow tree, can I take twigs from it and plant a fedge? Will this work, or do I need to buy specially cut ones? I don't want to put up fence panels myself, because they will probably take them down again.

I think you can just plant willow slips straight into the ground, and they’ll take. Make sure you plant them at the right time of year, water well and protect from rabbits.

You can use willow from your tree, although I'd consider ordering some willow whips if you want a reasonably dense instant look (or else you'll be stripping your tree)!

RHS has a guide: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=588

Oooh, just found some kits at a reasonable price... www.kingsbarntrees.co.uk/acatalog/Woven-Fence-1695.html

My next door neighbour has a willow fedge and be warned...it grows from its 5' base to the height of the house every year. He bends it down once a year, but it's a blooming nuisance to us all summer. Dropped leaves, flopping over onto our drive, greenfly infestation leaving black gunge on our car....

Will any point of the fence be within 10m of any structure or drains? If so don't do it. I've recently ordered and planted willow cuttings from a specialist supplier and this is their advice. Willows are very thirsty.

My neighbour on one side won't repair his fence ... I don't want to put up fence panels myself, because they will probably take them down again.
Irrespective of what he will / won't do with his land, he can't interfere with (reasonable) fencing on your land.

A lot of people where I live have their own fence, this means that from bedroom windows you can see the fences are 2 panels thick, one fence for one neighbour and one fence for the other.

If you want a fence I would put one up next to the neighbour's but on your side of the boundary. Take photos and videos of the situation now, then get a fence put in yourself.

Yes the neighbour will probably take down his own fence to benefit from yours but this way you get to choose which fence you want to look at and the height.

Thank you for the replies. I e thought about putting up a fence myself, but I'd rather have something living, like a hedge. I think I'm leaning towards planting a row of fruit shrubs that grow to about fence height.