3 Landscaping Techniques to Block Noise in a Backyard

Even in quaint suburban towns, fences have gone by the wayside in the past several years and today's Seattle arborist leans toward smart landscaping to give the homeowners privacy.  But did you know that careful tree and plant formation can also block noise from traffic, farm equipment, and machinery?

Building a wall of trees can considerably reduce the amount of noise pollution in an outdoor area.  The key to a successful block of trees is to fill in the open space through which sound waves pass completely with tall trees, shrubs, and other vegetation.

1.      Build a framework of pines.  Plant tall evergreen trees, like pines and spruces, all around the edges of the property.  Their thick branches and dense needles absorb sound, and because they survive the winter the residents will still have some degree of noise protection during cold weather.

2.      Fill in gaps with a variety of leafy plants.  Using deciduous trees, shrubs, and plants to fill in the framework formed by the evergreens softens the look of the yard and fills in the openings between the branches.  Choose leafy trees and plants of varying heights to fill in the “tree fence” completely, and select the species of plants carefully.  Using perennial plants that aren’t too fickle about their growing location will ensure that the homeowner doesn’t need to replant their barrier every spring.  You can also “spot-reduce” noisier sections of the property (such as areas in front of a loud machine or the corner adjacent to a noisy neighbor’s yard) with large trees.  Select trees with canopies spanning the appropriate height.

3.      Get creative with existing structures.  Block out noise along a fence without reducing the open area of the yard by planting thick vines to run along the post.  Unless the fence is quite high, this won’t be as effective as using trees – but it’s charming and a great supplement when one section of the property is fenced.

For more information on Washington landscaping and tree planting, visit certified arborist Seattle tree service Certified Arborist Tree Care online.

How Solar Energy Works

The San Diego solar energy industry is aglow right now.  The Department of Energy offered a partial loan guarantee last week that will fund Project Amp, a $1.4 billion plan that will put photovoltaic panels on rooftops all over the United States.  The panels are to be installed on the rooftops of warehouse buildings in 28 states run by Project Amp's co-owner, Prologis.  A loan guarantee for $1.4 billion project is a pretty big deal, so let's find out what this solar energy hype is all about.

How It Works

Photovoltaic energy (solar energy) works off of sunlight.  Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar panels, are made of two slices of silicon.  One is positively charged and the other negatively charged, both enclosed together in glass casing with a metal frame.  Silicon is commonly used in PV cells because it is a semi-conductor.  The space between the two opposite charged slices is called the P-N junction, which allows electrons to pass from one slice to the other.  When sunlight hits the cell, it knocks electrons off the positively charged silicon and they move toward the negatively charged slice.  Electrons from the negatively charged silicon can only travel to the positive side if there is an internal circuit.  In the PV cell, thin wire on the negative silicon catches the free electrons, creates an internal circuit and creates electrical current.  When connected to an external electrical circuit, the current can be used to power your home.  According to the experts in solar electric San Diego, Solaire Energy Systems, any leftover electricity is sent back to your local power company grid and stored as a 'credit' for you to use during non-daylight hours.

Stay tuned to find out how installing solar panels benefit you, your home and the environment.
Suggested Reading: How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

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