[CANUFNET] Anyone have experience with various weed barrier fabrics?

[Ian Wilson]

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

Ian Wilson
City of Kelowna
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Sent: Thu Oct 29 13:12:12 2009
Subject: [CANUFNET] Anyone have experience with various weed barrier fabrics?

Some Background: 
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. 

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. 

The questions are: 
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? 

2) What are your experiences with spunbonded (or non-woven) weed barriers vs woven? 
Thanks 

C. Cat Cybulski, R.P.F. 
Area Forester 
Natural Heritage and Forestry Services Section 
Transportation and Works 
Regional Municipality of York 
(905) 895-1200 ext. 5275 
Toll Free:  1-877-464-9675 ext. 5275 
www.york.ca <file://www.york.ca>  

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