Lawn wars: leaf blower opponents seek peaceful resolution to neighborly feud

Frustration over noise and pollution have led to campaigns against the gardening tools, and concerns about links to class and race have increased the tension. But a new generation of equipment could help ease the disagreement

It will be happening, this weekend, all across the US. The country's front lawn feuds over the disruptive leaf blower have been at full-blast for decades. Bad faith, personal slights and endlessly circulated misinformation about leaf blowers makes it nearly impossible for those who hate the noise and pollution to come to some sort of agreement with those who love the convenience.

Now, for the first time since the divisive garden tool came into existence in the 1970s, there are signs that the suburban conflict may be starting to subside.