Barrier in ground to ward off tree root invasion

 

My very large plum tree is north of my tomato plot and the branches
overhang the northern most tomato plants (the trench for the tomatoes
runs north and south). Even if and when I trim the tree boughs (so
sunlight isn't intercepted), the roots invade the root space of the
northern most 1-2 tomato plants unless I insert barriers to keep the
plum tree roots out. Unless I block tree root access, the northern-most
tomato plant or two are pretty scrawny. Last year, the barrier was
fairly effective, it will be less so this year because the thin veneer
plywood material is decomposing in spite of the wood preservative I
applied when inserted last year.

I'm looking for a material I can use for a root barrier that will last a
few years, maybe last indefinitely. Can I pick up something at Home
Depot or Orchard Supply Hardware that I can maybe cut into pieces with a
jigsaw and use for a root barrier that will last a while?

The trench I dig for my tomatoes is generally about 2 feet deep, because
once I get to that depth (I virtually always do this some time in March)
the trench has standing water when I get to about 2 feet. The soil is
pretty heavily clay, so I work in loads of compost when I refill the
trench, which I make myself. The barriers I've been putting in are about
2 feet (maybe a bit more) from top to bottom.

I might remove the tree, but of course that's a BIG job. Suggestions
appreciated!

Dan


Email: dmusicant at pacbell dot net

 

Dan Musicant wrote:
...


Move the tomatoes...

--

 



Dig another trench and pour concrete with rebar or the reinforcement
mesh.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.


http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zinn/HZinn_page.html

 

wrote:


Consider a _ Bamboo Rhizome Root Barrier_ *

"ProPlas® Bamboo Barrier Film has proven to be an effective material
to prevent the unwanted spread of bamboo."

At least 40 mil.

http://www.professionalplastics.com/BAMBOOBARRIERFILM

Perhaps even a pond liner would work.

 


:wrote:
:
:>My very large plum tree is north of my tomato plot and the branches
:>overhang the northern most tomato plants (the trench for the tomatoes
:>runs north and south). Even if and when I trim the tree boughs (so
:>sunlight isn't intercepted), the roots invade the root space of the
:>northern most 1-2 tomato plants unless I insert barriers to keep the
:>plum tree roots out. Unless I block tree root access, the northern-most
:>tomato plant or two are pretty scrawny. Last year, the barrier was
:>fairly effective, it will be less so this year because the thin veneer
:>plywood material is decomposing in spite of the wood preservative I
:>applied when inserted last year.
:>
:>I'm looking for a material I can use for a root barrier that will last a
:>few years, maybe last indefinitely. Can I pick up something at Home
:>Depot or Orchard Supply Hardware that I can maybe cut into pieces with a
:>jigsaw and use for a root barrier that will last a while?
:>
:>The trench I dig for my tomatoes is generally about 2 feet deep, because
:>once I get to that depth (I virtually always do this some time in March)
:>the trench has standing water when I get to about 2 feet. The soil is
:>pretty heavily clay, so I work in loads of compost when I refill the
:>trench, which I make myself. The barriers I've been putting in are about
:>2 feet (maybe a bit more) from top to bottom.
:>
:>I might remove the tree, but of course that's a BIG job. Suggestions
:>appreciated!
:>
:>Dan
:>
:>
:>Email: dmusicant at pacbell dot net
:
:Consider a _ Bamboo Rhizome Root Barrier_ *
:
:"ProPlas® Bamboo Barrier Film has proven to be an effective material
:to prevent the unwanted spread of bamboo."
:
:At least 40 mil.
:
:http://www.professionalplastics.com/BAMBOOBARRIERFILM
:
:Perhaps even a pond liner would work.

This looks very interesting. It's expensive, though. If bought at this
link, the minimum is 2' x 25' of 40mm. As it happens, I also have a
problem with bamboo from the neighbor's hard, but I've just lived with
the problem for many years. It would be a ton of work to install a
barrier at the property line to keep out the bamboo roots. I don't let
any of that bamboo get anywhere above ground, but there's no keeping the
roots from invading. Unless, I install a root barrier.

In fact I only need a maximum of 10' of the root barrier to take care of
the tomato vs plum tree problem. I figure I can probably score 10' of
this or similar (they say it's polyetheylene) locally (I'm in Berkeley),
or close to it,.

Dan



Email: dmusicant at pacbell dot net