In most cases, skirting the issue means to avoid it; with Biobarrier® II Tree Skirt, skirting the issue is your opportunity to control it. Biobarrier II Tree Skirt has nodules containing trifluralin which create a zone where roots cannot grow. When placed around a tree or shrub in the same manner as any other landscape fabric, Biobarrier II Tree Skirt prevents weeds by inhibiting their root growth. It is guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years.

The way in which Biobarrier II Tree Skirt works is simple. Composed of a spunbonded polypropylene fabric that resists mold, mildew, rotting and tearing, and permanently embedded nodules that slowly and continuously release trifluralin, it creates a vapor zone that extends one to two inches on both sides of the fabric. The vapor zone dissipates quickly, preventing accumulation in the soil, while trifluralin continues to evolve from the nodules, replacing what is lost.

Trifluralin is not systemic but it does prevent root tip cells from dividing, and since that is the way roots grow, they do not grow in the trifluralin inhibition zone. So, if Biobarrier II Tree Skirt is placed around trees or shrubs and covered with two inches of mulch, rock or other landscape material, surface vegetation growth will be inhibited. Certain shallow-rooted weeds may germinate initially in the cover material, but being unable to sustain root growth in the herbicide vapor zone, will soon die. Because tree and shrub roots planted through Biobarrier II Tree Skirt will be six inches below the surface, trifluralin vapors will not reach them, allowing normal growth.

Weed growth around trees and shrubs is more than just an aesthetic problem. Weeds compete for water, space and nutrients. Pulling them by hand is labor intensive and time consuming; spraying with chemicals is repetitive and spray can drift where it is not wanted. Using weed trimmers or lawn mowers can damage tree bark, inviting insects and disease to enter.

Biobarrier II Tree Skirt has several advantages over other tree skirts in addition to the fact that it prevents weed growth for 10 years. Biobarrier II Tree Skirt is porous to allow water, air and nutrients to pass through so trees and shrubs have access to a supportive soil environment. This is in contrast to black plastic which prevents transmission of essential elements and on which water can pool and stagnate. Surface weed growth is common with most materials used for tree skirts, but Biobarrier II Tree Skirt prevents surface growth because the trifluralin vapors bind to the organics in the two-inch cover layer. It is unique in that vegetation growth above and below the surface is inhibited.

Available in two sizes - 58.5" x 58.5" and 29" x 29" - Biobarrier II Tree Skirt is easy to install. Smooth area around tree, clearing away debris that could cause lumpiness beneath the fabric. Install the product according to label installation instructions and cover skirt with two inches of the material of your choice.

For more information about Biobarrier II Tree Skirt, Biobarrier® Root Control System, Biobarrier® II Preemergence Weed Control System and Biobarrier® Pot 'N Pot, call 1-800-284-2780 or (615) 847-7000. Manufacturer Fiberweb plc's website can be found at www.fiberweb.com. The e-mail address is rbergh@fiberweb.com, and the fax number is (615) 847-7068. Fiberweb plc is a member of Fiberweb.

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