Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - March 18, 2010
From: Conroe, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Screen for highway noise in Conroe, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have 120' of fence line which backs up to a busy highway, and now there are plans to widen it to four lanes. Is there a native tree or shrub which could help dampen the noise and block out the view of the traffic?ANSWER:
It sounds like you need a tree/shrub that is evergreen and relatively dense. Here are some suggested trees that are evergreen and grow in Montgomery County or adjacent counties:
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) grows slowly up to 50 feet but can be pruned to form a hedge.
Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry) fast growing up to 36 feet.
Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) fast growing up to 50 feet.
Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) slow growth rate to 25 feet.
Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) moderate growth rate to 40 feet.
Ilex opaca (American holly) slow growth rate to 40 feet.
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) moderate growth rate to 10 feet.
Here are photos of the above plants from our Image Gallery:
More Privacy Screening Questions
Transplanting large Silverado Sage bushes from Mesa AZ
August 19, 2013 - We just bought a condo with three Silverado Sage, each one is 6-8 ft tall, trained to grow as "trees" with bare branches for the bottom 4 feet or so, and beautiful flowering branches on top. They ar...
view the full question and answer
Looking for shrubs to replace Photinia as a privacy screen in Arlington, VA.
February 08, 2011 - Suggestions to replace diseased red tipped photinia. Looking for hardy privacy screen type of evergreen, not too deep with height of approx. 10-12'
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Privacy Hedge Suggestions for Tampa, Florida
May 15, 2014 - My back wall is made of stone and is about 6' high. We are very close to a busy road. I need a plant that will reach about 7-8 feet high or a hedge to reduce some of the noise. What plant/hedge would...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping plans in Kyle TX
February 12, 2012 - I am starting from scratch in a backyard (approx. 52'x25')in Central Texas (Kyle). The backyard is on the north side of the single story house. I would like to have plants and trees that attract and...
view the full question and answer
Plants for privacy screen in Edgewood TX
September 10, 2009 - Can you recommend a large fast growing tree, shrub, etc. that can give me some privacy from my neighbor across the street that likes to use his binoculars? I live in East Texas on about 10 acres.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |