James, I have the same situation here in South Jersey. When I bought the property three years ago it was covered with some type of wild brambles and honeysuckle that were both choking everything out. I started by cutting down the undesirable mulberry trees that were blocking all of the sunlight for the good trees. But I did everything very slowly over three years. Handpulled honeysuckle. Then started replacing the brambles with azaleas and red-twig dogwood I bought cheap at an auction. The red-twig are native type and look great in the winter also. As for ground cover, I called Bluestone Perennials and spoke with a person who was very knowlegeable. Can't remember what I bought, but it has runners and is filling out. The only thing you have to watch is putting something in that will eventually choke out everything else. Check out the Bluestone catalog, there is a section that has ground covers, but no pictures, you'll have to look them up elsewhere. But my favorite was the native red-twig dogwood, you will love it. Just remember to check the Ph before you buy any plants. Add peat to the hole when planting the red-twigs and I believe they like it slightly acidic. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: Red-Twig Info

My first concern would be the noise issue. There are municipal statutes regarding the db levels that are unacceptable. While it is their property to do with as they wish, it does not preclude infringements upon your rights. You obviously bought this tract for privacy and solitude but now that is being affected adversely by a neighbor that couldn't care less about what they are going to put you through. I would approach them with your issues FIRST to see how they receptive they are to your concerns. If that doesn't work, get a copy of your local noise ordinance. Send a copy to the neighbor with a note repeating your request to keep the noise down and explaining that you'll be forced to notify the authorities if you don't get results. Be sure to provide details on the problem, including the dates and times of the noise. Almost every community prohibits excessive, unnecessary, and unreasonable noise, and police enforce these laws. To find your municipality's noise rules, look up the local ordinances. Check out: www.statelocalgov.net and www.municode.com. Ordinances designate certain "quiet hours". Many towns also prohibit sustained noise that exceeds a certain decibel level. The decibel limits are set according to the time of day and the neighborhood zoning. When a neighbor complains, police place decibel level monitoring equipment on an estimated property line and take a reading. You can go through small claims court to receive actual and punitive damages. You will have to show that there is excessive and disturbing noise, that the person you are suing is either creating the noise or is the landlord and therefore responsible, the enjoyment of your home is affected and that you have asked the person to stop the noise. To prove your case, use police reports, witnesses, your own testimony, or even a recording. The thing is that they won't be ordered to stop, only fined. To make them cease you will need to go to regular civil court ((I think.) You do realize that those kids are going to be running the go-carts at full throttle from daylight to dark all Summer long! The dust will cover everything outside and inside your home too. Nothing that you plant or erect is going to stop the noise or the dust so I wouldn't go to ANY personal expense because it'll just be a waste of your time and money. Being an evil instigator I did think of a few other things to do...You could always buy a few hogs and put their pen next to the fence. See which is worse, the smell they have to endure from your swine or the noise you have to deal with from their racetrack. You could hang a dozen fish in the sun to dry each week too. Don't you need a port-a-john along that fence so you don't have to run inside? Tell them that you're seriously considering selling a parcel of your property (adjoining theirs) for a municipal solid waste facility or a rendering plant. Chickens, guineas, geese & ducks are nice! :-) Thoughtless and...

helshar, The best thing to plant for erosion is GRASS, the bigger the better. Bamboo, ornamental grasses, not regular lawn grass. Grasses. They use it on horrible steep slopes here in SC all the time.

That would look nice. I did look at Lakeside Cha Cha Cha or Miss Tokyo (variegated not chartreuse). Green Mountain has these with quantity discounts for 10 off. Cha, Cha, Cha 10 for $75; Miss Tokyo 10 for $90. I probably need 20....or 'Tokyo cha, cha, cha; Tokyo, cha, cha, cha' It could bring back Salsa dancing!!!! Jon (stuck in the Disco era) The more I think about it the LS cha, cha, cha appeals to me more. I have a long rope somewhere that I can lay out the curves with and see what I am actually up against and if 3 curves or 1 big curve looks / works better. If I go with one I would triangulate three Jade Forests in the middle (two steps back, one step forward) rather than BOOM, skip, BOOOM, skip BOOM !