Question
Mark,
Our home has just been approved for a four lane street to be put in right beside us.  The sound from just a 2 lane is already a problem.  Can you advise what kind of trees or shrubs that would best help with all the traffic noise?  Also, we would like to construct a small yard within our very large yard for some privacy and I cannot find any relevant searches to help.  Can you help?  Thanks in advance for your help.  kathy

Answer
Hello, Kathy;

Sound walls ?Unfortunately, plans don抰 do an adequate job of cutting or reducing sound (the fancy, designer word for it is 揳ttenuation?.  The best way to control sound is distance from the source.  Even though it sounds like you have a larger lot, it may not be easy for you to move your house!  Even being uphill/downhill from the noise will affect sound travel.

This is not a new problem, and there are products that have been developed to combat this recurring problem.   Examples of solid walls that either reflect or absorb the sound can be found here:

Soundfighter.com
Tufbarrier.com

These 2 examples are for commerical applications, but can still be installed in a residential area, OR you can build one yourself (concrete walls, earth berms or a combination work best, but solid fences can work too) The landscaping plant treatments are there to soften the wall more than lower the sound匱here have been technical studies of different plant materials, studying their ability to lower noise, but he are talking only minor decibel differences between pines, thick shrubs, or heavy plantings.

A caution: If you do decide to build a wall, many municipalities have 揻ence? and/or 搇andscape?ordinances or your local subdivision may have restrictions on design style or wall height.  Sorry to be the bringer of sad news匢f you consult a local landscape designer or architect, they may be able to help with placement of walls & plants for maximum benefit.

Privacy patio design - obviously sound is an issue, and adding a source of 搘hite?noise will help 朼 gurgling fountain or even wind chimes.  As to design, I find that a quick Google.com search is VERY helpful ?type in 損atio landscape design? or 搇andscape design privacy?and you get pretty good results. (I抦 sorry I cannot recommend any sites at the moment, as I am traveling and limited to dial-up!)  You can check some of my previous answers and see my responses, as I know I抳e suggested privacy design web-spots before (like the design sections at landscaping.about.com & HGTV.com)

Hope it helped. ~Marc