Trees and shrubs are often used to help reduce unwanted noise from roads, railways, neighbors, and other nearby sources. While plants alone cannot eliminate noise, research shows that well-designed landscape buffers can reduce sound levels and improve overall sound quality around homes.

Learn more about how vegetation reduces noise and how to design an effective planting for noise control below.

trees between highway and houses by trongnguyen AdobeStock — Wide plantings of trees and shrubs can help reduce noise from busy roads. ⁽¹⁾

Can Trees and Shrubs Reduce Noise?

Research on trees as sound barriers is limited, but existing studies show consistent results.

A single row of trees usually does not provide meaningful noise reduction.
Dense, wide, and tall plantings can absorb and deflect sound waves.
Well-designed buffers can reduce sound levels by up to 10 decibels, although reductions of 5 to 8 decibels are more common.

For comparison, typical heavy highway traffic ranges from 70 to 85 decibels (dBA). Lowering it by 10 decibels brings it closer to several common household items, such as a washing machine (50-70 dBA), a dishwasher (55-70 dBA), or an electric toothbrush (50-60 dBA). Even modest reductions can make noise less noticeable and less disruptive.

What Affects How Much Noise Is Reduced?

The effectiveness of a tree and shrub sound buffer depends on both the noise source and the planting design.

Noise Characteristics

Noise from higher traffic volumes is harder to reduce than noise from lower traffic volumes.
Faster vehicles and large trucks produce more noise than slower traffic and smaller vehicles.
The direction and frequency (pitch) of sound also influence how well it can be blocked.

Planting Characteristics

Height, width, and density of the planting are critical.
Buffers also block the line of sight between the noise source and the protected area.
Wider and taller plantings provide greater noise reduction.

Choosing Trees and Shrubs for Noise Buffers

No tree or shrub species is a superior noise blocker. Sound reduction comes from density and design, not from specific species.

When selecting plants:

Choose species that are well-suited to the site, including soil type, drainage, sunlight, and climate.
Evergreens are preferred because they provide year-round foliage and year-round noise reduction.
Deciduous plants can reduce noise when in leaf, but provide less benefit in winter.

Many species recommended for windbreaks also work well for noise buffers because the design principles are similar.

Designing an Effective Noise Buffer

Good design is more important than plant choice.

Planting Density

Foliage must extend from the ground to the top of the planting.
Retain lower branches on evergreen trees whenever possible.
Use shrubs beneath taller trees to fill gaps near the ground.

Depth and Length

Deep, wide belts of trees are most effective.
When using trees and shrubs alone, a planting width of at least 100 feet is often needed.
The buffer should extend in both directions at least four times the distance between the buffer and the protected area to prevent sound from bending around the ends. So if the edge of the buffer is located 50 feet from the house, it should extend at least 200 feet beyond the house in either direction.

Height

The buffer should be at least as tall as, and preferably taller than, the structure being protected.
If you can see over the trees from the second story, you will be able to hear the traffic from that location. Although the noise reduction would be better on the first story.

Best Location for a Noise Buffer

Buffers work best when located close to the noise source rather than the protected area, ideally within 50 feet.
A greater distance between the barrier and the home improves effectiveness.
Distances of 100 feet or more between the noise source and the protected area provide the best opportunity for noise reduction. For example, noise reduction for a home located only 50 feet from a highway is less likely than it would be if that house were located more than 100 feet from the highway.

Using Berms With Trees and Shrubs

Earth berms planted with trees and shrubs are significantly more effective than vegetation alone.

Soil absorbs sound better than plant material.
Berms increase the height and density of the barrier.
Combining a berm with dense planting provides the greatest potential for noise reduction in a residential landscape.

Key Takeaways

Trees and shrubs can reduce noise but will not eliminate it.
Dense, wide, tall plantings are more important than specific plant species.
Evergreens provide year-round benefits.
Proper placement and design determine success.
Berms combined with plantings offer the greatest sound reduction.

Thoughtful planning and realistic expectations are essential when using trees and shrubs as part of a noise management strategy.

More Information

Photo credits: 1: trongnguyen AdobeStock

Authors:

Aaron Steil

Last reviewed:

April 2026

Using Trees and Shrubs to Reduce Noise Around Homes