Landscape Maintenance - Root Barriers
About Root Barriers
Summary
Trees are a major part of residential landscaping as they provide natural beauty visually with luscious green leaves as well as shade outdoors on your property. The difficulty with trees stems from the tree roots. As trees grow larger so does their roots system. The major concern of many homeowners is the damages that the tree roots cause around their property where there are hardscaping applications. The solution to this major problem is an installation of root barriers. Damage of Tree Roots
Tree roots can grow very aggressively as they tend to grow upwards to the soil surface in search of water. By doing this root damage is caused where there are hard scaping applications around your property. Hardscaping applications such as paved or concreted walkways, driveways and sidewalks where there are large trees within the zone are more likely will be affected by tree root damage. They can also cause structural disaster to the foundation of your home causing cracks which can result in instability structurally. The damages will be clearly seen as the pavers will lift and buckle, the concrete will crack and the other damages that may occur in toilet and sink blockage due to tree roots affecting your plumbing and drainage systems. All of these major problems and concerns can be stopped by installing root barriers around the trees that are making your life hell.
The Importance of Root Barriers in Public Venues
Local councils provide recreational parks that have many trees to provide shade for the public on sidewalks and walkways. One of their main objectives is to ensure public safety and public liability is adhered to. To eliminate all tree root damages all the large trees have a root barrier system that are close to concreted or paved walkways in the recreational park as this will eliminate tree root damages that events in cracks and makes the walkways unstable any injury prone. Types of Root Barrier Materials
There are various types of root barriers materials that can be installed surrounding the tree area. The following root barrier materials include:
- Metal root barrier
- Concrete root barrier
- Plastic root barrier
- Plastic sheeting with glued ribs
- Non-woven filter fabrics
- Chemical barrier
The above root barrier materials would be suggested by a tree specialist. The recommendation would be based on the benefits of these different types of root barrier materials that would be most suited for the root damages that exist in your property and also to prevent any root damage that may occur in the future.
Chemical barriers as root barriers are specially designed not to harm your tree roots in growth. They are a geo-textile fabric which contains herbicides. Its non toxic therefore will not affect trees or soil.
Installation Consideration/ Pay a Professional
If you are experiencing any of the problems and issues that are causing you major concerns by the tree root damages that are affecting your hardscaping applications or affecting your plumbing and drainage system on your property, the best action to take is to pay a professional Tree Specialist to do the installation process as they are experienced in this field and you can be rest assured and have piece of mind that you wont have to deal with this problem any more.
