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Noise
Pollution -
Keeping
out unwanted sound
There are two
things to keep in mind about noise: it travels in a straight line
and it bounces off of hard surfaces. Different sound waves have
different shapes, therefore different plants will have a different
effect on them.
So, if you try
to block out noise with hard surfaces such as wooden boards or walls,
you risk simply redirecting it. A muffling effect can be created
with a wall of foliage -- leaves and stems will absorb noise. A
well-placed leafy plant between you and that pesky air-conditioner
across the street can work wonders.
How do you choose
the right plants? Match leaf size to sound frequency: High frequency
noises need a lot of small dense leaves packed close together. Lower
tones are best muted by bigger leaved plants. But keep in mind,
if you jam-pack your balcony with plants to deaden all noise your
home will be claustrophobic and depressing.
As the urban
Buddah says: "You live in a city - get over it."
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