Question
Hi Mark:

We just bought a new home in Orange County ( Southern California), that is on a busy street with 45 miles an hour traffic!

When you have time, could you please recommend some evergreen trees that will help reduce the traffic noise and give us some privacy.  We would really appreciate any advice and information that you can give.  Thanks.

Sandra

Answer
Sandra,

I've got to recommend one of my favorite trees:

Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens).

Once Incense Cedars are established, the foliage is quite dense...making it a great green wall!  The beautiful dark green, flat foliage doesn't require raking...it just develops a layer of weed preventing duff underneath the trees. And in warm weather they give off a nice fragrance.

Although they can eventually get quite tall (70'), don't worry-- they have a fairly narrow spread (only 12-14'across mature) so you can have huge trees in a small space.

I've used them in close planting for screening, and I also  care for a couple of groups that are 50' tall now that were planted about 4' apart (on center).  They are grown together, happy and health and opaque!

Hope this helps.

Mark in Portland

ps.  be careful getting out of your driveway on that road!