Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

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:


Juniperus virginiana

Prunus caroliniana

Pinus taeda

Ilex vomitoria

Magnolia grandiflora

Ilex opaca

Morella cerifera

 

 

 

More Privacy Screening Questions

Privacy screen by pool in Friendswood, TX
October 07, 2009 - We just moved into a new home with a pool in the backyard. We are trying to figure out what to plant along the back fence to allow for a bit of privacy; we have no direct backyard neighbors but there...
view the full question and answer

Pfluegerville Screening Hedge
May 25, 2014 - We live just north of Austin in a subdivision built on farm land so we have relatively flat land with good soil. We just put in a pool and are needing a privacy hedge along our 66 ft back fence. We ...
view the full question and answer

Shrubs for privacy in wet area in Ohio
July 13, 2011 - I am looking for flowering shrubs for Ohio that reach 8-10 feet and can handle wet feet. I am trying to avoid building a wall for privacy and would like to use flowering shrubs instead.
view the full question and answer

Puppy-friendly privacy screen in Montana
November 02, 2012 - I need some puppy-friendly short(< 30') privacy from the gigantic windows of my next door neighbor. But- there are power lines above the area that I needed to plant! I had planned on an aspen grove, ...
view the full question and answer

Privacy screen from Simpsonville SC
May 04, 2013 - My neighbor cut down his part of our shared woods so now we see his whole "outside patio area". What kinds of fast growing shade loving trees and shrubs can we plant on our property line that will c...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.