Help me decide what to do...

charlz · Dec 30, 2007

Well, do you want it to be a 'fence' or just a 'wooded area'? If you want a 'fence' maybe put in some shrubs in between the trees that can be pruned 'square'. The trees would be the 'posts' and the shrubs would be the 'boards'.

If you are leaning more towards a 'wooded area' I would do the W pattern. Possible to use a different tree that is either taller or shorter in the long run. This would give a nice 'sloped' appearance on one side or the other while providing some privacy screening in the long run.

Charles

thatguy · Dec 30, 2007

charlz said:
Well, do you want it to be a 'fence' or just a 'wooded area'? If you want a 'fence' maybe put in some shrubs in between the trees that can be pruned 'square'. The trees would be the 'posts' and the shrubs would be the 'boards'.

If you are leaning more towards a 'wooded area' I would do the W pattern. Possible to use a different tree that is either taller or shorter in the long run. This would give a nice 'sloped' appearance on one side or the other while providing some privacy screening in the long run.

Charles

Our original intent was just to have a border (and wind break) between us and the now empty lot beside us.. BUT as I got to thinking about it more and more, I started envisioning more of a landscaping focus as well as border/wind break..

What I dont want, but can see happening is making it one big bed of trees that I mulch (which i think would look nice, but a lot of work mulching that much) lol

keep the suggestions coming

brian

blueriver · Dec 30, 2007

Concrete ... I like a Rocky Mountain Juniper, its an evergreen, produces a small berry for certain wildlife. See if they are good in your area.

Steve_Miller · Dec 30, 2007

If you keep the water drained away from the area you'll cure the mud problem. Create some type of drainage, French drain or something like that.

Steve

ChipSmith · Dec 31, 2007

Why not just move the mailbox closer to the road and do away with the gravel?

thatguy · Dec 31, 2007

ChipSmith said:
Why not just move the mailbox closer to the road and do away with the gravel?

To my knowledge it has to be a certain distance off the road.. If i move it any closer it will be against the edge of the road and I would think it could be called a hazard..

brian

Rara Avis · Jan 1, 2008

ChipSmith said:
Why not just move the mailbox closer to the road and do away with the gravel?

Then the plow trucks take it out...

ChipSmith · Jan 2, 2008

thatguy said:
To my knowledge it has to be a certain distance off the road.. If i move it any closer it will be against the edge of the road and I would think it could be called a hazard..

Check with your local Post Master to see if they have rules for rural mailbox placement. I now around here they are pretty lenient - some boxes are way back from the road and others are right up to it. I set mine close enough to the road that it can be reach without dropping a tire off the shoulder for that very reason. You don't have to necessarily move the post, but extending the cross bar would get it closer to the road.

PaulChristenson said:
Then the plow trucks take it out...

If the plow truck is going that far off the road it'll be taking out the grass, etc.

EddieWalker · Jan 2, 2008

On the mailbox, you have allot of options.

1. More rock. If you like the look of the rock and weeds are easy to control, then I'd install a boarder that would keep the rock in place. You can use plastic, metal or PT wood. I'd probably use a PT 1x6 buried in the ground half way and anchored on the inside edge with some stakes and screwed together. Imagine making a form to pour cement. I'd put the boarder from the road to the mail box post, and then from the post to your driveway. This will get rid of that little patch of grass that you have to take care of in front of the mailboxa and make maintenance easier. You can also run one board from the road to the driveway and have rock on all sides of the mailbox. Just measure it out and see what looks best to you. Then put some plastic down and more rock. You can even use a more decerative rock and set it off as something really nice.

2. Red Brick to match your home. This is more work, but it could be really nice. You have to dig out the rock and dirt, then create a solid base of rock to support the brick, but it's a small area, so it won't be that bad. Just lay the brick as a small patio paver.

3. Flagstone rock. This was my first thought to make it really nice. Then I saw the brick on your house and thought of the brick. Flagstone patios are always attractive, but they are expensive. A small accent around your mailbox wouldn't be very much money, but really add to your entrance.

4. Cement is always a good way choice. It's simple, easy and inexpensive.

5. Blacktop patch is very dificult to make look nice. It looks like a patch when put down, but would blend nicely with your road and driveway if you took the time to make it blend.

Eddie