Sound-reducing Vegetation Ideal for Dampening Road Traffic Noise
In the quest to create quieter urban environments, the use of plants as sound barriers has emerged as a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution. Here's a guide to the key plants and strategies that can help reduce noise pollution by up to 15 decibels.
Dense, tall, and evergreen species with thick foliage are typically the most effective sound barrier plants for urban areas. These plants, often used in combination with earth berms or acoustic barriers, provide consistent sound absorption and diffusion throughout the year.
When it comes to selecting sound barrier plants, certain key characteristics should be considered:
- Evergreen trees and shrubs: Their year-round foliage ensures consistent sound absorption and diffusion.
- Dense, thick foliage: This helps to absorb sound waves rather than reflect them.
- Height and width: Taller and wider plantings block more direct sound.
- Multiple layers: Combining groundcovers, shrubs, and trees creates a more effective sound buffer.
Some common examples of plants recommended for noise reduction in urban settings include:
- Leyland cypress
- Eastern red cedar
- Holly bushes
- Boxwood
- Bamboo
- Arborvitae
In addition to these plants, natural mounds or earthen berms covered with vegetation, especially thick shrubs and trees, can significantly enhance noise reduction by adding mass and density to the barrier. This combined approach can approach or exceed 15 dB noise reduction.
While the search results do not specify plants producing exactly 15 dB reduction, the practical consensus in urban noise management suggests that a well-planned thick hedge or tree line combined with berms and solid fencing can reduce traffic and urban noise by roughly 10-15 dB.
For higher reductions (like 25 dB), solid sound barrier walls or acoustic enclosures are generally used, sometimes combined with planted noise barriers. However, for those seeking a more natural solution, a well-planned thick hedge or tree line combined with berms can provide a significant improvement.
Notably, the Southern magnolia, a tall tree with dense glossy foliage, is also an effective choice for noise barriers. As always, it's advisable to consult local urban forestry or noise mitigation experts for verified and detailed plant species effectiveness, as noise reduction depends on local climate, species growth habits, and barrier geometry.
In conclusion, using dense evergreen shrubs and tall trees, layered plantings, and integrating earthen berms are the best vegetative solutions for achieving up to 15 dB noise reduction in urban environments. These green solutions not only help reduce noise pollution but also contribute to the beauty and well-being of our cities.
- To optimize noise reduction in urban settings, homeowners can incorporate evergreen shrubs like holly bushes and Southern magnolias, as well as tall trees such as Leyland cypress and Eastern red cedar, into their home-and-garden lifestyle.
- A combination of different plants, such as groundcovers, shrubs, and trees, along with earthen berms covered with vegetation, can create a more effective sound buffer and contribute to a quieter, more lifestyle-friendly urban environment.
