There are many reasons why you might want to erect a fence on your property and the reason you want a fence will have a significant impact on the type of fencing that’s selected. It’s a good idea to consult with a fencing professional before making any decisions.

There’s an array of new fencing options of which you may not be aware that are beautiful and effective alternatives to traditional materials. What you want to accomplish with the fence will also be important. The following are the top five reasons that you may want to consider adding a fence to your landscape.

Boundaries

Fencing is an excellent way to establish boundaries and prevent trespassing. Accidental trespassing is quite common. Fences are also effective in deterring incursions by neighbors that don’t respect property lines.

Curb Appeal

Whether you’re planning on selling your home or living in it for many years, you may want to erect a fence for the beautification factor. In those instances, the aesthetics of the materials and design are of paramount importance to frame the property and display it to its best advantage. Fences are also great for concealing unattractive elements on the property ranging from generators and air conditioning units to trash cans and utility boxes.

Safety

A fence is an excellent safety measure if you have children or pets, providing them with a safe space to play. It keeps them from accidentally wandering into outdoor dangers such as pools, ponds, cliffs, and dangerous embankments.

Security

Whether it’s teens using your yard as a shortcut or an individual intent on burglary or other mayhem, a fence provides a security barrier. Fences also keep dangerous wildlife or domestic animals from wandering into the yard.

Privacy

The distance between homes is decreasing and privacy is at a premium. A fence prevents neighbors and passersby from peering into your yard or eavesdropping on conversations. Fencing frees families and enables them to be themselves while outdoors.

Decorating for the holidays is a great American pastime and holiday displays are becoming more elaborate every year. As much fun as it is celebrating the season, holiday decorating also accounts for numerous injuries and fires each year. Rule #1 of holiday decorating is to always have a fire extinguisher handy. The following tips are essential for safe decorating.

Candles

Always keep candles on a sturdy base that can’t be easily tipped over and never place them anywhere near flammable objects. Candles should always be monitored and never left burning if there’s no one in the room or at home. A good alternative are electric candles that aren’t reliant upon an open flame.

Cords

Using extension cords can increase the risk of fires. A home’s wiring can quickly become overwhelmed with the extra drain on the system. If breakers or fuses begin to trip it’s a good indication that electrical circuits are being overloaded.

Fake Food

A variety of plastic food and candy items are used for decorations during the holidays. Some are even enticingly scented. The fake food can be confusing to children and pets, so eliminate them entirely or place them where they’re not accessible to kids and pets.

Lights

Examine any lighted decorations for exposed wires, burned out or missing bulbs, loose connections, or damaged sockets. Throw away any lights that have damaged or frayed wiring. Individual bulbs can be replaced if desired – otherwise, throw them away. Always turn off or cut power to lighted decorations before going to bed or leaving the house.

Ornaments

To prevent injuries, choose unbreakable ornaments. Eliminate ornaments that use ribbons and similar items that children and pets can ingest.

Plants

Many of the traditional holiday plants used for decoration are poisonous to people and pets. Be sure to display them out of reach of young children and pets.

Teamwork

Stringing lights, erecting lawn decorations, and creating rooftop displays should always be done with another person. Don’t work alone. If an accident does occur, the other person can render aid or call 911.

Trees

Keep cut trees well-hydrated. They dry out quickly and can quickly catch fire. They should be kept away from heaters and fireplaces. If placed near furnace ductworks, they can dry out quicker and require more water. If an artificial tree is chosen, make sure it’s fire resistant.

Erecting a fence on your property is more complicated than you may anticipate. There are legal regulations that must be adhered to and permits that will be required. However, the process of installing a fence all begins with knowing the exact location of your property lines.

Installing a fence without knowing where your property lines are can result in legal action by adjacent land owners. Without that knowledge, you can easily find yourself responsible for removing and relocating your freshly erected fence. It can also affect your ability to insure your home.

Check Your Deed

The deed to your property will have a legal description of your property and its boundaries. Older deeds may not include the information and will refer you to an older document. However, older documents may reference landmarks or other features that don’t exist any longer.

Plat Map

A plat map is a document that defines property lines and includes data about structures, elevations, and bodies of water. A plat map may be included as part of your deed and if not, you can view it at the city or county assessor’s office or online in some locales.

Perform a Survey

One of the easiest ways to determine exactly where your property lines are is to have a new survey performed. It’s a very precise measurement that identifies where all existing boundaries are located. The cost of a survey will vary among companies licensed to do the task.

Stakes and Markers

When a survey of your property was made, the survey company will have left a wooden stake or metal marker to mark the boundaries. If that marker is still available, you can tell where your property lines lie. The markers may be flush with the ground or sticking up several inches above the ground.

If you like trees and want to add them to your landscape, there are numerous things to consider before actually planting if the tree will be located near a fence. It doesn’t matter whether the fence is yours or your neighbors – the same considerations will apply.

Space

The space you need for planting will definitely be a factor. For younger trees, you’ll need enough room to dig a hole that’s at least twice the size of the root ball. The hole will also need to be deep enough so the tree’s root system will fit entirely within it. If it’s an older tree, to adhere to those conditions you may have to plant it several feet away from the fence.

Mature Attributes

You’ll definitely have to consider the attributes of the tree when it’s mature. Those include height, the width of the crown, and if it has a drooping or weeping growth habit. There may come a time when it interferes with overhead utilities if it has a significant height or damage it might cause to the fence if it doesn’t withstand storms or high winds easily.

Trees that produce blossoms in the spring, fruit in the summer, or drops its leaves in the autumn can result in some very messy, expensive, and time-consuming cleanup. Heavy or sticky fruits can cause injuries and damage homes, fences, and vehicles. Another consideration is the sturdiness of branches. Some trees are more prone to limb breakage than others and can easily destroy a fence.

Roots

Some trees never expose their roots, while others may have shallower roots that grow partly above the surface. It can make mowing difficult and dangerous. Those same roots can destroy foundations, driveways, sidewalks, and brickwork. Roots also have the potential for disrupting underground utilities.

Right of Way

No tree should interfere with the right of way to access a property. If an easement of the property is involved, you may or may not be legally allowed to plant within certain areas.

Function

What you want to accomplish with the tree is important. You may want shade, privacy, or beautification. It’s best to consult with a landscape professional who can guide you on the types of trees available that will serve your needs and won’t be detrimental to any surrounding features.