Lawn Obliteration Day!

We have made an appointment with our garden Man, Abel, to remove our lawn promptly and to replace it with raised beds and xerescape. This will be taking place within the next two weeks. We've also drawn up plans for the raised beds and drip irrigation system that will be installed. There is however one major sticking point in our plans... well, actually two. First off we have three gorgeous birch trees which form an off-center birch circle in our front yard. The tree's well being is of the utmost priority to me so they will not be adversely affected by our plans. The problem is that they create a shady spot from sunrise until around 10:30 a.m. on a portion of the lawn where we intend to build our raised beds. This still gives this area a good 6 hours of solid sun but it needs to be taken in to account, nonetheless. Secondly, we intend to fence the area tastefully to achieve some amount of privacy but also to use the fence in a practical manner to support vines which will bare edibles such as grapes or kiwis. Unfortunately, our gun toting, SUV driving next door neighbor is an ass. He says on the portion of yard that borders his, he wants us to build a "cowboy fence". WTF!? A cowboy fence. He then proceeds to apologize that he has no money to contribute to building said "cowboy fence". He boldly states that any sort of "picket style" fence is out of the question. This lack of class and etiquette takes a serious set of cow balls,. Anyhow, these issues will be surmounted one way or another and soon we will have over 700 sq. ft. of new garden space devoted solely to growing our own organic, sustainable food.