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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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Saturday - April 24, 2010

From: Pearland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Tree for sound block near Houston
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Pearland, just south of Houston and am looking for a tree that I can plant along my fenceline between my neighbor and me that will block noise. We have a pool and entertain a lot, but they are older and complain about the noise. I have seen in some of your other postings wax myrtle or Texas Mountain Laurel. Will these grow well in Houston? The area gets full sun.

ANSWER:

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) will certainly do well in Houston, but Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel) is not likely to do well since its range is the Texas hill country.  Mr. Smarty Plants assumes you want an evergreen tree to act as a noise barrier all year long.  Here are some other trees that are evergreen and are native to Harris County.

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon)

Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay)

Ilex opaca (American holly

Ehretia anacua (knockaway)

Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)

Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry)

Pinus taeda (loblolly pine)

You can find other trees, though not necessarily evergreen, for your area our Texas-East Recommended page.

Here are photos from our Image Gallery of the plants above:


Morella cerifera

Ilex vomitoria

 


Magnolia virginiana

Ilex opaca

Ehretia anacua

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Prunus caroliniana

Pinus taeda
 

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