Car stopping Plants? 19 August 2021 at 6:34PM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 11 replies 581 views

Frank99

We had a neighbours car handbrake fail a few years ago which allowed their car to roll and crash into not only their house but part of ours and we settled the issue with no problems however, We now have different neighbours who sometimes park their large vehicle diagonal on the drive so if the handbrake failed it would go straight into our property.

I understand this is a long shot but does anybody know of any strong small trees or bushes i could grow along the area to potentially stop a rolling car in the future, I know i might be a bit paranoid but we see lots of speeding drivers coming off the road in this area, the gap is near to the house so would prefer something smallish.

I have also thought about those large rocks which way so many tons to create a barrier but not sure what to do, My other half thinks i worry too much.

twopenny

I doubt small is going to be solid enough to stop a large car.
Something like holly or laurel which if kept trimmed will eventually form a thick trunk would do it or at least slow it down.
Trouble is you are looking at years to get to that stage.
I don't think your being unreasonable but the only quick answer is rocks. Perhaps plant a decorative tree between them Japanese style

Farway

Depending on the area maybe a deep layer of shingle?

This is often used as brake failure or over run strips at bends & along side roads on steep hills in West Country and maybe elsewhere

Idea being wheels get buried and all force is absorbed by the shingle without wrecking the vehicle or injuring anyone

Davesnave

You think you have problems? I meet 16 wheelers on this route regularly.

https://www.google.com/maps/@50.9423665,-3.9037711,3a,75y,14.46h,89.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soP_WELd8FLMlxzPLTJCRlA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Tanalised  4" posts buried in concrete will do a fair job and they don't need to be numerous or high.

goldfinches

@Davesnave - welcome back, I missed you. 

Davesnave

goldfinches said:

@Davesnave - welcome back, I missed you. 

Thanks. It wasn't much fun in the sin bin, but I got more work done.

25_Years_On

There's either Bollardia bollardius or a good strong planter with some nice plants in it. In my village there's a hill down into the village and the Old Chapel has been hit a couple of times. There are now some good strong planters outside.

twopenny

Good point. A planter screwed to the ground should do the trick.
You will however have to keep watering it so that will give you thought about how committed you are to your concerns. 

tacpot12

I would install some bollards (or posts as suggested by davesnave) and grow a hedge (Box or Privet) around them so that they can't be seen. 

greyteam1959

Davesnave said:

goldfinches said:

@Davesnave - welcome back, I missed you. 

Thanks. It wasn't much fun in the sin bin, but I got more work done.

What have you been in the sin bin for Davesnave ??

Davesnave

greyteam1959 said:

Davesnave said:

goldfinches said:

@Davesnave - welcome back, I missed you. 

Thanks. It wasn't much fun in the sin bin, but I got more work done.

What have you bee in the sin bin for Davesnave ??

I don't think discussing one's own or other people's misdemeanours/punishments is permitted. As it is, I'm taking leave of absence for a month, so don't tell anyone I was here.