Fabric Weed  Barrier

         

Have you considered using fabric in your conservation tree planning but have some unanswered questions and/or concerns?  Below is a list of advantages, disadvantages and management practices prepared by the North Dakota Soil Conservation Districts.

 

   Fabric Advantages

· Applied only once.

· Greatly increased tree and shrub establishment and survival.  (Increases survival from 20% to 80%+).

· Increased growth rates immediately following planting.

· Easier, long lasting, and more timely weed control.

· Comparable cost to other weed control methods averaged over 3 to 5 years.

· Helps control salinity issues.

 

Fabric Disadvantages

· Initially expensive.

· Requires specialized machinery and trained crew to install properly.

· Proper installation is critical to prevent pulling loose in high winds.

· Does not break down, especially within the shade of trees and shrubs.

· Stems may be girdled by fabric as trees and shrubs grow (if holes are not enlarged).

· Suckering of some shrub species is greatly restricted within first 10 years.

· If soil/ litter covers fabric, weeds can become established on top of fabric, negating benefits and complication future maintenance.

· Unable to lay fabric on round corners

 

Fabric Management

· Inspect annually or more often if needed.

· Ensure edges are firmly anchored.

· Keep soil and organic matter off fabric.

· Control aggressive weeds that may establish in fabric openings.

· Enlarge openings as needed to prevent stem girdling.

· Consider alternative weed control where dense shrub thickets are desired.

 

For more information, contact:

jennifer.breidenbach@nd.nacdnet.net  or  karly.osowski@nd.nacdnet.net