I have about 100 feet of property along a busy road. Is there a quick growing evergreen that is nice and thick to help reduce the road noise? I am looking for something that will grow quickly and does not need much in terms of maintenance. Thanks!!!
Kalamen, trees will help with noise although they may not eliminate it. There were lots of christmas trees planted a few acres away from us. When they removed them it was amazing how much more highway noise we got.
What about cypress? We talked with a nursery guy that recommended one for a screen from neighbors. I think he said Lehland Cypress but I'm not sure. He said they grow very fast and can be planted fairly close to make a hedge.
If you have lots of space Deodora Cedars grow quickly, they also grow wide if they have the space. Some varieties are more slender and less dense than others. I've seen the narrower ones planted fairly close to make a hedge and they are really pretty.
Another idea for noise cover...a waterfall. That is what we did and it made a huge difference in our outdoor life. The highway isn't right next to us, but we hear the rumble of a busy freeway regardless. The waterfall made the outdoors a great place to be, brings in all sorts of birds and wildlife too. Just an idea you may not have thought about.
Trees do help with noise reduction.. Lots to think about. Cedars and blue spruce. Dont' plant them in a straight line, plant them in a zig zag design so that branches will grow wide and overlap the ones from the other trees.
We live next to a 2 lane road, not to traveled but still a problem as far as privacy. We built a berm (about 3-4 foot, with some natural hill/slopes to it) Then I planted a total of (16) 7- 8 foot pines/spruces. We have about 1 1/4 acre so I had a lot of room to cover. I included Austrian, Norway, and then Siberian. I also intermingled some tough shrubs and 3 Sunset Maples to make the sight more appealing. The arborist later told me that the Austrian's were not a good choice, disease prone. But the other's should be ok. Another thing he said was not to plant just one variety of tree, etc. because if there is a blight/disease to that type the whole thing is a goner.
I'd like to underline something "perkladd" said: Plant different species. I had a tall hedge (12') of Port Orford cedar which was about 50 years old. It started dying about 5 years ago. Apparently it is an epidemic in my area and there is nothing that can be done. I have been taking it out as it dies and have lost all my privacy. It did a pretty good job of noise reduction.
The large cup shaped leaves of Rhododendron and Hollies are considered the best noise reduction barrier. A note on the Rhodies if you do not let them flower for a few years they grow very fast and fill in better than if you allow them to flower.
