Posted By Jennifer Kelly Odd request for info and maybe not quite the right forum for it but here goes..... In my block of flats I am the nominated HSE bod, a voluntary role that gives me a small budget and an opportunity to be the client for once!! We have recently had to chop down two lovely ancient trees due to their innards being completely rotten and close to collapse. Quite rightly the residents have asked for replacements to be put in but have also asked me as part of my Environmental duties to look into buying maturish saplings trees that have a large heads and thick foliage to give some level of noise barrier from the traffic that shoots around our building and that will soak up at least some of the nasties emmited from this traffic. The trees will be planted about 2.5 metres away from the building and the building is 4 stories high. Any suggestions from any green fingered tree huggers that use the forum? Regards to all - A. Nother. Treehugger

Posted By Jennifer Kelly I did mention some types of evergreens but not met with much enthusiasm. The main requirements from the residents after show of hands at the AGM, was that the saplings be fast growing and have a long foliage time, ie not be the last to go into leaf and the first to loose all leaves. It was a long AGM.

Posted By Jonathan Breeze Depends how moist the soil is, but Willow might be an option. They like damp, are easily propagated, are first to bud & last to drop and grow masses of small branches really quickly. As an added benefit they produce catkins in early spring. Disadvantage is they don't grow big (max 40ft) so top floors would not really benefit. If you want exotic then you could try Atlas Cedar. We grew one to 40ft in about 15 years from a blasted foot high specimen bought from the bargain bin in a local garden centre. They grow big quick (max 100ft), have foliage all year round and produce wonderful cones. Suggest you try a gardening forum for best advice.