Eli5: How come the median between highway lanes is so barren?

Question

I understand that it’s not the most hospitable environment for most plants (salt, car accidents, minimal animal traffic) but that space gets mowed to keep what grows there short. Why not have some wildflowers, native grass, or even trees there? Trees would act as an extra barrier between such fast traffic

In: 9

Answer 1

I remember median strip bushes [like these](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gy5oP1nEaeU/XToB4trzhZI/AAAAAAAAi3o/HMEU9-pD9HgPR8vPxUugNj6_WB8DfTWWgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_3507.JPG) everywhere in California growing up. Not sure how popular they are now, though.