Trees are often a very desirable part of your hardscape plan. Trees provide shade for other plants, people, and sometimes, structures. Of course, they look nice too!
Over time, if the roots of trees are allowed to grow unmanaged or unchecked, they can overgrow to the point where they damage elements of the hardscape such as sidewalks, irrigation, and lighting. They can even uproot things like benches and fountains that might be integrated into the design as well.
The sad thing is that very often, as mentioned above, this damage from tree root overgrowth could most likely have been prevented with proper planning, foresight, and care.
Some of the questions we frequently get here at Sidewalk Shield is how to install tree root barriers and, “Is installing tree root barriers hard?”
Installing Sidewalk Shield is relatively simple and painless.
As with nearly all tree root barrier products, you want to install the root barrier before you plant your trees. The only real exception Is that you can install a root control barrier after trees are planted if the tree(s) is/are still relatively young and the barrier can be installed without damaging the roots of the tree(s) themselves. (***It is possible to use Sidewalk Shield on older plantings if it can be installed without cutting major roots.)
While installing Sidewalk Shield should be fairly easy for most people, there are two very important considerations. Learn more about cautions when installing any root control barrier product HERE.
]]>Before we talk about installing Sidewalk Shield quickly and easily, let’s go a little more in-depth about the basics.
If you plant trees and/or bushes with large root systems near or against sidewalks and other landscaping, those unruly root systems can be a headache and even a nightmare. They can grow in such a random and wild manner that they push up — and even uproot — sidewalks and lighting, as well as vegetation, other bushes and plants, and flowers. All of these are things you obviously don’t want to happen because if one or more of them do, it’s a huge waste of time, energy, and money.
Therefore, a barrier for tree roots is necessary to control tree roots and prevent such problems and issues as those described above.
Usually, root traps and screens are made of a screen-type mesh metal material or a woven fabric, and will have holes that allow the root tips to poke through but not grow through OR be strangled.
Chemical root barriers are similar to root traps and screens somewhat, in that they are textile-based but also covered in a chemical that inhibits root growth. The chemical generally keeps the root tip from growing, thereby containing the spread of the entire root system. Unfortunately, these chemical root barriers usually become less effective over time, dependent on soil temperature and moisture.
These are installed commonly in a linear manner. You can also “surround” the root system in a sort-of-square shape. Another alternative is “pruning” the root by blocking it off at a certain point. The cons to this type of root barrier product is that the plastic is not pliable and cannot create any sort of rounded or circular shape. Thus, you are always limited to some sort of straight-line barrier pattern.
Root barrier rolls are products that do exactly what it sounds like—they roll, or unroll, to create a fully-circular barrier around tree root systems under the ground. Sometimes this type of product might be made of a textile, but most commonly it’s composed of pliable metal or plastic.
To keep the trees and bushes their healthiest, it’s important to consider that whatever root barrier option you choose, you need to be sure it’s a deep root barrier. You don’t want to harm the tree or its natural growth so the root should not be contained or directed too shallowly. Of course, it’s always best to install the tree barrier before installation of the hardscape and landscape for best results.
Sidewalk Shield is created from recycled HDPE plastic that lasts over 100 years underground. It is also the heartiest and most heavy-duty choice, as it has 100 MIL (1/10th inch) thickness, offering 200 pounds of puncture strength. Additionally, it comes in a wide range of sizes and lengths ready to accommodate the needs for your specific project.
How does Sidewalk Shield help to control tree roots? As mentioned above, it’s critical to ensure that you control tree root growth without hindering it to such an extent that it harms the tree or especially, causes the tree to die.
As Sidewalk Shield likes to say, for maximum ease and effectiveness of using the product, “Plan before you plant.”
What does this mean? Sidewalk Shield comes in a variety of depths/heights that are installed into the ground to push tree (or bush/shrub) root growth downward. By doing this, it helps to control the growth of the root system(s) and thus, prevent those roots from uprooting your hardscape or landscape design. If this is done right, planning for — and installing — Sidewalk Shield can help you to avoid costly replacement of sidewalks, roads, driveways, septic systems, etc.
Here is the official Sidewalk Shield description:
Using Sidewalk Shield provides decisive direction for root growth. This allows the tree greater long-term health and allows for longevity of sidewalk and roads in adjacent areas. In addition, uplifted sidewalk and driveways can cause serious tripping hazards that can become liability issues. Installation of Sidewalk Shield directs the tree roots in a downward fashion to protect sidewalks, roads, trees, and ultimately people. Installation: Locate and confirm the locations of all underground utility lines and structures prior to starting any excavation area.
Sidewalk Shield should only be used on new or young plantings. The shield can be utilized on young plantings if it can be installed without disrupting existing root growth. There are two basic type of tree pits. Surround pits are smaller tree pits used to enclose a single tree. Linear or continuous pits are longer pits design to contain multiple trees and a larger green space. Tree pits should be as large as possible to allow for ample growing space for tree roots and continuous tree pits is advantageous whenever possible.
While all the above information we’ve provided about Sidewalk Shield might already sound great if you’re currently planning for — or considering how to — protect your hardscape or landscape designs from deep root systems, it gets better! Installing Sidewalk Shield couldn’t be much easier so long as you adequately plan for its use upfront and then you follow the simple, provided installation steps.
As mentioned above, it’s important to note — and follow — the idea that Sidewalk Shield is best used on new or young plantings. While using it with new plantings is obviously ideal, it can be used on young plantings if Sidewalk Shield can be installed without harm to the existing root system. In some instances, you can also use it on older trees or deep root bushes if it’s possible to install the barrier into the ground and around the root growth, without having to cut into major root arteries.
You do have a few different choices or root barrier options that can be effective. However, most of those choices have limitations. Sidewalk Shield is a comprehensive, easy-to-use, effective, and affordable tree root barrier product that is available to pros and DIYers alike.
Installation of Sidewalk Shield tree barrier roll is a breeze and if installed correctly, it should last for many years to come and do its job more-than-well.
If you’d like to learn more about Sidewalk Shield, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and we’d love to provide additional information or a custom quote.
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