So you ended up planting some trees! That's what I would've done in your situation also.
The view to the street offers such a funny perspective! All those random people walking by and seeing the big foreigner gardening something. Makes you think what they might have thought on some of the renovations you've been doing! It must be such an exotic sight to them! I think you might have mentioned something similiar in those renovation videos.
But yes, do keep up the good fight against the boneheaded neighbour! I am rooting for you.
(Yes, that was an intended pun.)