Protect Your Windbreak Investment
The Double El Conservation District (CD) highly recommends the use of weed barrier fabric (mulch) as one of the most important tools to increase the survival rate of tree plantings. Although fabric mulch can be the most expensive feature of the project, it is extremely important to trees/plant survival (especially during drought conditions).
Weed barrier fabric is a polypropylene geo-textile used to control weed growth and hold soil moisture in tree plantings, and enhance growth of tree plantings.
Increase your Seedling Survival Rates
A marked increase in survival rate and increased height and crown growth has been observed on arid-lands where the fabric mulch has been used on tree and shrub plantings. In all but exceedingly dry years, no supplemental watering is needed when the fabric mulch is used.
Another benefit of weed barrier fabric is the elimination of the need for mechanical or chemical weed control. In the Double El area we have seen an increase from 35% seedling survival rate to a 90% seedling survival rate with the use of weed barrier fabric.
Save time and money, in years to come
Cost of installing weed barrier fabric, averaged over a 5-year period, is comparable to drip irrigation systems, mechanical/chemical weed control and cost of replacing trees annually. Time, effort and machinery costs and repairs are saved with the use of weed barrier fabric.
In addition, the goal of tree establishment is quickly realized with the use of weed barrier fabric, instead of having to start fresh every spring to replace trees that have died.
“If I had it to do over again…”
A Double El tree customer recently stated she would encourage landowners that the most important component of tree plantings is the use of weed barrier fabric.
In the past, she decided to forego the use of weed barrier in order to cut the cost of a windbreak. This original windbreak continues to struggle to get established and survival is a yearly issue. Several years later she installed another windbreak and utilized the weed barrier fabric. The new planting is almost completely established and has exceeded the old planting.
Ready to Start?
We provide weed barrier fabric in sizes ranging from 4′ x 4′ squares up to 750′ x 6′ wide rolls. Contact us or visit our online store to place your order for weed barrier and other survival accessories.
