Content
- When is a root barrier necessary for the tree?
- What is a root or rhizome barrier?
- What material should a root barrier be?
- How to install a root barrier
- Tips
Within the root barrier should be enough space for the roots
When is a root barrier necessary for the tree?
If you plant a tree in your garden, you should install a root barrier for many specimens. This is not only important to prevent the tree from unwanted propagation.
What is a root or rhizome barrier?
The task of a root barrier can be summarized in a few words: It is to lock the roots, so prevent them from spreading. This is especially recommended for tree and other plant species that multiply strongly over foothills and quickly overgrow the entire garden area without a root or rhizome barrier. However, there are additional reasons for the additional installation of such a root restriction, especially in extremely flat-rooting trees:
What material should a root barrier be?
Many gardeners use conventional pond liner, which must be strongly advised against. The flexible, thin material is not suitable for stopping strong tree roots and limiting their growth. Roofing felt does not stop any foothills. Instead, you better access special root barriers made of sturdy, high-density plastics such as hard polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP). These are available in roll form and can be cut to size. If you're just trying to prevent a shallow-rooted tree from lifting cobblestones and other pavements, then it's best to dig lawn curbstones along the path at the appropriate depth.
How to install a root barrier
The installation of a root barrier is quite straightforward:
Tips
In particular, the vinegar tree (Rhus typhina) that is so popular because of its intense autumnal red coloration can be a problem in the garden: its strong roots can grow up to seven meters long and root through the entire garden area without a correspondingly stable and deep root barrier.