In my experience laurel isn't killed by hard cutting back. So I don't understand the comment about cutting back branches damaging roots. Are those bare branches actually dead? If the cutting was recent I'd expect the hedge to grow back next year. At which point you could just keep it sheared back against the fence as a dense hedge.

I’d consider a podocarpus or privet hedge. Neither should concern the utility company.

Who cut it back recently- you, your neighbor, or the utility? It may leaf out if not actually dead. SCE is getting more serious about keeping easements clear near power lines. Sometimes the interests of homeowner fire safety win out over lush foliage in vulnerable places.

Toyon will get 8 or 12 feet high in a few years, more if watered. Look at the local garden center to see if there are some native ground covers that appeal to you. A good colorful distraction from the laurel hedge would work well.

Talk to your neighbor about rejuvenating the existing laurel hedge. It grows plenty fast. More so since it is well established. At a minimum remove all the dead wood. New green growth cannot fill space that is already occupied.

Better would be to remove all the dead wood first. Cut the remaining hedge back to three or four feet, fertilize, water and regrow the hedge.

Agree with Christopher here. The fastest growing hedge will be the one that already has established roots. Just cut it down (to 12" height) and regrow it. But this time, trim it as it grows, as the hedge that you and the neighbor want. You can't let a hedge grow up out of shape (as it is now) and then expect to reign it in at the end. You've got to shape it along the way.

HIGHLY appreciate your comments!

Those branches died last year, so probably won't come back. I also hear your suggestion to trim everything - would make perfect sense if this was our property. But I have to respect my neighbor's preference regarding hers.

I'll definitely look into your suggestions and I am grateful to each of you for taking the time to offer advice!

btw, there is no relationship between pruning back branches and damaging roots. One has no impact the other.

Perhaps your neighbor could be persuaded.....I'd look online for "success stories" to share from others who have done this kind of hard cut-back/regrowth transformation with the same hedge plant. If your locality has some kind of volunteer master gardener program like our county does, that's another resource that might be helpful.

The most difficult thing is the human factor. Tell your neighbor your plans and get her agreement on it. Make it "win-win" so she is happy and you are happy.

The least disruptive thing would be: if there are some dead shrubs, remove them and plant new specimens of the same plants that exist there now. Remove any dead wood on the living shrubs.

Then plan and execute light, frequent clipping to encourage branching and lush growth to gradually tidy the hedge into a cleaner, neater, denser look. Normally background shrubs don't need fertilizer, but some light applications may help stimulate new growth for increased privacy for both homes.

You are stuck with the power pole--there' nothing you can do with that. Trying to hide it will just create a fire hazard.