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

622 views

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

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Vegetation is harmed by the salt used on highways where there is snow/freezing. Between airborn spray and grown absorption from salty runoff, trees and such wouldn’t do well.

It’s also a safety feature, where oncoming traffic might see an accident, highway patrol can patrol twice as much traffic by seeing both sides and being able to U-turn.

But there are some places where I have seen vegetation between highway directions (in Georgia, Florida).

You are viewing 1 out of 8 answers, click here to view all answers.