Homeowner Asks Reddit What Plant Will Block Noise From Highway: 'This Is A Tricky One'

Living near a highway has obvious downsides, but it also has benefits. Easier road access and a potentially shorter work commute sound like great perks. But, according to one Redditor who posted in r/NativePlantGardens, the trade-offs, like a constant view of highway traffic and the noise that comes along with it, aren't so easy to ignore. "I live in Michigan near a highway. I would like to grow something that will block the view and noise," they state, also explaining that the soil near the home is dry and sandy, and that the arborvitae they've planted are slow-growing as a result.

Thankfully, others have jumped in with opinions. Another Redditor on the thread suggested installing a privacy fence and then adding a pool with a waterfall to the yard. Effective, sure, but we doubt it's in the average homeowner's budget. A separate response offered a more practical solution that could work over the long term. "Nitrogen fixing plants [help] to re-add nitrogen to the soil by cultivating microbes. Which is pretty much a way to fertilize the soil for free." They then suggested a few plant varieties, which included wild lupine and honey locust trees. Although this is solid advice for improving sandy soil, the most upvoted pitch in the thread is probably the best: planting Juniperus virginiana, also known as eastern red cedar.

We went on a deep dive to see if the eastern red cedar tree could really be the key to this Redditor's problems. And, after hours of research, this suggestion looked very promising. Here's what we learned: The eastern red cedar tree thrives in dry and sandy soil and is native to dozens of eastern states, including Michigan. It's hardy in USDA Zones 2 through 9, making it highly adaptable. We think choosing a native plant is always the best bet, whether you need to spruce up your landscaping or are searching for plants to consider when looking to add privacy to a yard.

And when it comes to muffling whizzing cars and blocking those less-than-beautiful highway views? Its mature height of 40 to 50 feet tall and spread of 8 to 20 feet is pretty perfect. Best of all, it can survive most conditions, including the hot summers and cold winters that occur in much of Michigan. If you're reading this and live in Wisconsin or Oregon, there is one major caveat: this is the invasive cedar tree you don't want to see in your yard.

Plus, since the eastern red cedar can maintain privacy and add a soft pop of color, it's great for boosting curb appeal. We did find a potential drawback, though: this tree only grows 1 to 2 feet per year. That means, depending on the size of the trees initially planted, it may take several years for the trees to grow large enough to solve this Redditor's problem.