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About Marc Chapelle, ASLA
Expertise
As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design. IF YOU JUST WANT A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!

Experience
Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI). I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.

Organizations
ASLA (ASLA.org)

Education/Credentials
BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989 Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)

Awards and Honors
Best Multifamily project, 1993 Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design > Street Noise

Landscaping & Design - Street Noise


Expert: Marc Chapelle, ASLA - 6/16/2009

Question
I live in the Houston, Texas area and our house backs up to a road. I would like your suggestions on planting a natural noise barrier for my back fence.
Thanks

Answer
Here is a site that discusses the problem:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2044848_buy-noise-barriers.html

If you have the room, an earth berm or solid feature like a wall will diflet the sound much better than trees, shrubs, or vines.

Unfortunately, sound is a vibration, and leaves and twigs just don't do a good job of re-directing or attenuating this.  The best is a wall and distance from the sound source.  Adding plants is more for aesthetics that a noise cure.

If that is not practical, maybe you can add "white noise" in the form of a flowing fountain or wind-chimes.  I have found that this type of masking helps in making the larger street noise less noticeable.

Again, sorry for being the bringer of unfortunate news.  ~Marc

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