Your opening paragraph is an argument for replacement with a fence - really you had already answered the question yourself before you posted. Trust your own assessment and proceed from there. Some small-growing trees can be planted inside the new length of fence for added height. As long as the gas line will not be interfered with by this, either by digging during installation or as a result of tree root system expansion later.

For suggestions from posters here of particular trees or shrubs that could be planted there indicate where you are located geographically.

I'll bet it is not as ugly in the winter as you seem to think it is. some of us like bare, clean branches as a seasonal difference. Another way of dealing with it would be to get a pole hedge trimmer so as to make the job of trimming much easier. Another possibility is to let pros trim it. Or, there is the fence.

If it’s cold enough where you live for the hedge to lose all its leaves, are you outside at that time? Maybe it doesn’t matter if people can see into your yard?

Fence it.

The fence is up. For aesthetically, should I grow Emerald evergreen and place about 4 of the space out evenly across the fence?

Consider extending the screening height of the fence, but not obscuring it with foliage. Large "shrubs" in the tree form would do it. A groundcover bed below would simplify mowing. The two elements combined could give a lot of character to the space, especially if either (or both) had bloom capability.

Can't see the value in a bunch of leafless, plain brown shrub stems in front of the fence, with foliage only above fence height - high branching, single trunk trees would at least minimize this appearance during the dormant season. At fence height anyway. And winter bareness of the original screen was something the fence installation was supposed to eliminate.

Making a bed that included the utility pole and planting a tree-like shrub right next to it might not go over with the involved authority either. If the whole strip from the fence to the sidewalk is a municipal right of way you may even have to pay for a permit to do anything out there.

A 'Smaragd' hedge would be redundant in front of a solid fence. Also you should keep the fence accessible for any maintenance or repairs that may be required. Assuming the situation including location of any buried utilities permits it the area could be adequately dressed up with some dwarf- or small-growing shrubs that grow maybe half as tall as the fence is.

It looks nice and neat as it is, plus, easier to mow.

The fence looks great!

I like the tree form shrub/small tree suggestion. They will take less maintenance.

on your decision with the fence! At times we don't trust our intuition; glad to see you did.

As for landscaping to compliment your new fence: how about selecting Evergreens that compliment the architectural style of your house & /or neighborhood. Asian? Cottage? Traditional? Definitely go with an evergreen that's *native* to your area.

Ideas for 4 to 10 ft evergreens (I'm in zone 7): INKBERRY (6-8 ft), COMPACT SHAMROCK INKBERRY (3-4ft), SKY PENCIL HOLLY (6 - 10 ft, 2 ft wide), and of course the invasive yet practical NANDINA . there are junipers and arboritaes that may add texture and leaf interest. (MINT JULIP JUNIPER). I'd definitely consider an UPRIGHT grower around the utility pole, so as not to encroach yet beautify. Hope this helps; keep us posted!

Hi everybody,

Tthank you for all your input. Will have to hold off planting stuff as I think I want to paint out the fence first. Could you please help with choose of paint colour for the new L shape fence ?

here are some old photos beside I changed out the fence.

Ps. The interlock has been straighten out. And also the stucco is more of a beigey color rather pinky in the picture. I like something neutral. Would a taupe or grayish green color goes with the house and garage?

if its visible where fence is, match your garage door. otherwise a neutral "fence color".

Yes the fence is visible where the garage door is, so I will try to use gray or grayish paint. Thank you for your recommendation.

The fences look very good. For aesthetics the large shrubs would add beauty to your house and also maintaining it would be an easy task for you. There are a variety of shrubs available so you can go for the shrubs which will best suit your house. Hope this helps you.

I wouldn't paint the fence. Let it weather naturally. Painting it opens to years of maintenance

It will weather to a beautiful gray within a year so I vouch for no maintenance and leave it. They have oils that will weather it to grey more quickly I believe.

Nice fence :) We just repainted our deck--PAIN IN THE NECK!! We regret having painted in the first place. And in a few years, we'll have to do that again :( We used cedar for our railings and used a Benj Moore slightly tinted sealer and looks fabulous and it should be SO much less work to maintain.

Storm, how long did it take and what was the difficult part?

I think stains/sealers are not longer lasting. It's just that their gradual wear does not show as obviously. But a good acrylic paint lasts much longer. Semi-gloss paint is relatively short lived.

@yaardvark: it wasn’t the length of time that was the worst part. It took a couple days and numerous sand paper rolls (or whatever you call them) for belt sander to sand the gross peeling paint underneath. Then 2 coats of this stuff. In hindsight, we would have preferred to have used cedar (like our railing) or composite decking (like our front porch).

So the sanding would not even be necessary if the deck had not gotten too far gone. When I had a deck that needed the occasional repainting, it was about a 2-hour job from beginning to end, mostly with a roller and a little brushing at edges. When I bought the deck, it had been let go by prior owner so I had to pressure wash and do a little sanding (with a handheld sander). But never had to sand again when painting. Just wash.

And your deck looks very nice.

@yardvaark: Thanks and yes, you are totally right. We let it go too far. Considering our climate conditions & exposure, we really should have used a composite decking material :(