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<TITLE>Re: [CANUFNET] Anyone have experience with various weed barrier fabrics?</TITLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>I think you have a good case to get them to replace at their expense. However we have stopped using weed barrier entirely. We found that it keeps the weeds down for a few years but eventually the weeds invade the mulch and when you try to pull them it pulls up the cloth and becomes a big headache. We just control weeds the old fashioned way, pull by hand or till with hand tools<BR>
<BR>
Ian Wilson<BR>
City of Kelowna<BR>
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Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld<BR>
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-----Original Message-----<BR>
From: canufnet-bounces@list.web.net <canufnet-bounces@list.web.net><BR>
To: canufnet@list.web.net <canufnet@list.web.net><BR>
Sent: Thu Oct 29 13:12:12 2009<BR>
Subject: [CANUFNET] Anyone have experience with various weed barrier fabrics?<BR>
<BR>
Some Background:<BR>
A contractor installed 3 oz woven polypropylene landscape fabric in a large, irrigated, raised median, whereas the contract specs called for 3 oz spunbonded polypropylene. Spunbonded was specified due to its better air and water permeability (min. 100 gal/min/sf) whereas the woven material has less than 15 gal/min/sf. The planter has a drip irrigation system, and to aggravate the matter, the irrigation lines were laid on top of the woven material. Water is pooling on the tarp-like woven material.<BR>
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The contractor refuses to replace the non-approved material with the spec'd material, claiming it "exceeds" the specifications. It may exceed the spec in terms of strength, but the critical characteristic of permeability has been compromised.<BR>
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The questions are:<BR>
1) Will the woven, less permeable material cause problems with plant growth and survival (trees and perennials), or can we live with it - with the drip lines on top if it?<BR>
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2) What are your experiences with spunbonded (or non-woven) weed barriers vs woven?<BR>
Thanks<BR>
<BR>
C. Cat Cybulski, R.P.F.<BR>
Area Forester<BR>
Natural Heritage and Forestry Services Section<BR>
Transportation and Works<BR>
Regional Municipality of York<BR>
(905) 895-1200 ext. 5275<BR>
Toll Free: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 5275<BR>
www.york.ca <<A HREF="file://www.york.ca">file://www.york.ca</A>> <BR>
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