Tips For Using Trees To Block Noise
Do you know you can use trees to block or reduce noise? This can be helpful if you are living near a noisy place, say a factory or highway, and you don't want their noises to disturb you in the house. Use these tips to help the trees block the maximum noise possible:
Ensure the Trees Have Dense Foliage
Trees reduce noise in three main ways; they block, absorb, and reflect the sound waves. It is the leaves that absorb some of the sounds, reflect others, and block some with the result that the noise reaching you is reduced. This means that the more leaves there are, the more they will reduce the sound reaching your house. It makes sense, therefore, to plant trees with dense foliage if noise reduction is a desirable feature.
The Trees Should Be Closely Packed
Leaving spaces between the trees will allow sound waves, and therefore noise, to reach you. Therefore, plant the trees as close as possible to minimize these gaps. Make sure the trees still have enough spaces to grow healthy; their roots should not be forced to struggle too much four resources, and their leaves should not have to compete too much for air and sunlight. A professional arborist can advise you on the best spacing depending on the species you choose.
Opt For Evergreen Trees
As previously mentioned, it is the leaves of the trees that block the sound waves. Therefore, planting deciduous trees will not give you all year protection since they will allow most of the noise to pass through when they shed their leaves in autumn. The best trees for all year protection are evergreen trees.
Plant a Wide Belt
A single line of trees will not be very effective at blocking noises; some sound waves will be blocked, reflected, and absorbed while others will pass through. Planting a wide belt of trees, if space allows, is better. The sound waves that do pass through the first line of defense (so to speak) will be handled by other trees in front of them.
Plant the Trees Nearest to the Noise Source
Lastly, the trees should be planted as close to the source of noise as possible for maximum effectiveness. This will block most of the sound waves before they have dispersed. For example, if your home is located close to a busy highway and you want to block road noise, plant the trees on the outer ages of your property (that places them as close to the highway as possible).
Contact a company like Phoenix Tree Service for more information and assistance.