Comments on: Root Barriers: My Buddy Ofer and Technology http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html Blogging about Landscaping & Gardening Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:18:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-17008 Steve Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:42:01 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-17008 Ryan, I agree completely on the long term solutions which root barriers only play a small role in. Obviously, over time, a Redwood, Sequoia, even a large, thirsty Birch tree will slap the paltry little root barrier around. I think the "solution" they offer is for a shorter term and that we can get an additional 10 years of non-invasive behavior over what would have occurred in, say parking lots or streets, where the massing of running water at those edges actually encourages lateral growth. Bamboos are another story entirely. Some bamboos will evade restrictions and literally go over them, like rhizoming soldiers. The goldens tend to stay pretty focused for a long time. Once again, drip irrigation and other (inserted pipe) ways of watering can encourage deeper root formations with a bit of forward thinking. But, in the end, anyone expecting root barriers to be the bottom line is nuts. Choosing the rioght tree for "The Duration" requires more science. Ryan, I agree completely on the long term solutions which root barriers only play a small role in. Obviously, over time, a Redwood, Sequoia, even a large, thirsty Birch tree will slap the paltry little root barrier around. I think the “solution” they offer is for a shorter term and that we can get an additional 10 years of non-invasive behavior over what would have occurred in, say parking lots or streets, where the massing of running water at those edges actually encourages lateral growth.

Bamboos are another story entirely. Some bamboos will evade restrictions and literally go over them, like rhizoming soldiers. The goldens tend to stay pretty focused for a long time. Once again, drip irrigation and other (inserted pipe) ways of watering can encourage deeper root formations with a bit of forward thinking. But, in the end, anyone expecting root barriers to be the bottom line is nuts. Choosing the rioght tree for “The Duration” requires more science.

]]> By: ryan http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-17005 ryan Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:07:46 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-17005 I've used root barriers for golden bamboo, and seen a big mess when it was improperly installed for black bamboo. For trees, the studies I've seen seem to say the root barriers delay the invasion of roots into an area, rather than prevent it, and that folks should check with an arborist to see what effect it will have on the particular species they are planning to plant. My city (Richmond, CA) wants people to just pick a deep-rooted species instead. I’ve used root barriers for golden bamboo, and seen a big mess when it was improperly installed for black bamboo. For trees, the studies I’ve seen seem to say the root barriers delay the invasion of roots into an area, rather than prevent it, and that folks should check with an arborist to see what effect it will have on the particular species they are planning to plant. My city (Richmond, CA) wants people to just pick a deep-rooted species instead.

]]> By: Steve http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16953 Steve Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:32:06 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16953 LOL, Ofer. I am The Man, you are correct! Cool on making your day. I respect what you have done, dude. Keep up the good work! LOL, Ofer. I am The Man, you are correct! Cool on making your day. I respect what you have done, dude. Keep up the good work!

]]> By: Ofer http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16942 Ofer Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:04:24 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16942 What a wonderful surprise! , you are The Man! Me just looking to see what your blog is doing like and to see my name here. I feel sorry for not yet sending you more photos of trees roots in Lawns. You made my day! Ofer What a wonderful surprise! ,
you are The Man!

Me just looking to see what your blog is doing like and to see my name here.

I feel sorry for not yet sending you more photos of trees roots in Lawns.

You made my day!

Ofer

]]> By: Steve http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16922 Steve Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:28:47 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16922 As Robin Williams likes to say: "Spank you very much!" Or is that "mulch"? Thanks, Anne. As Robin Williams likes to say: “Spank you very much!” Or is that “mulch”? Thanks, Anne.

]]> By: IsraeliMom http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16921 IsraeliMom Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:16:25 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16921 It's an important topic. When we planted trees here we made sure they wouldn't turn the house upside down. And on a sidenote as your dedicated site admin - commentluv is now activated! .-= IsraeliMom´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsraeliMom/~3/dhgkMM2qNqA/big-brother-israel-the-women.html" rel="nofollow">Big Brother Israel – The Women</a> =-. It’s an important topic. When we planted trees here we made sure they wouldn’t turn the house upside down. And on a sidenote as your dedicated site admin – commentluv is now activated!
IsraeliMom´s last blog ..Big Brother Israel – The Women My ComLuv Profile

]]> By: Steve http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16920 Steve Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:57:11 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16920 Hey, thanks, Alice. Always so terrific to have you drop by. I confess, I have been busy as well - can't wait to see your most recent posts. Hey, thanks, Alice. Always so terrific to have you drop by. I confess, I have been busy as well – can’t wait to see your most recent posts.

]]> By: Alice Joyce http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16919 Alice Joyce Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:54:32 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16919 Hey Steve, I'm catching up on reading my favorite blogs, and I'm happy to report that even in my bitty plot there has been lovely fall color. Cotinus 'Grace' takes a starring role, but barberries and nandinas add to the mix. Have a HAPPY TURKEY DAY! Cheers, Alice Hey Steve,
I’m catching up on reading my favorite blogs, and I’m happy to report that even in my bitty plot there has been lovely fall color. Cotinus ‘Grace’ takes a starring role, but barberries and nandinas add to the mix.
Have a HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
Cheers,
Alice

]]> By: Steve http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16909 Steve Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:41:42 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16909 Barbee, I think landscape suppliers are pretty reliable for these things. having said that, this is a new area, geographically, for me, so I am not sure. Barbee, I think landscape suppliers are pretty reliable for these things. having said that, this is a new area, geographically, for me, so I am not sure.

]]> By: Barbee' http://www.stevesnedeker.com/2601/root-barriers-my-buddy-ofer-and-technology.html/comment-page-1#comment-16895 Barbee' Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:30:02 +0000 http://www.stevesnedeker.com/?p=2601#comment-16895 Hi Steve, I found your post interesting because I have had a little experience with this product. I saw it in some little garden supply catalog several years ago and ordered some. We used what we needed then I forgot that had some leftover other than a scrap. This past spring I needed more. I searched current catalogs and Internet with no luck. I took the scrap with me as I went around town stopping at every store I thought might possibly have some. They all looked at me as if I were from outer space. They had never seen anything like it. Then low and behold (my project was on hold because of this), while looking for something else, I found one or two more new rolls of it in the garage. Hallelujah! But, then we ran into stone and tree roots, so couldn't put it as deep as hoped. Anyway, we did the best we could. It certainly has opened up new possibilities for the industry. Hi Steve, I found your post interesting because I have had a little experience with this product. I saw it in some little garden supply catalog several years ago and ordered some. We used what we needed then I forgot that had some leftover other than a scrap. This past spring I needed more. I searched current catalogs and Internet with no luck. I took the scrap with me as I went around town stopping at every store I thought might possibly have some. They all looked at me as if I were from outer space. They had never seen anything like it. Then low and behold (my project was on hold because of this), while looking for something else, I found one or two more new rolls of it in the garage. Hallelujah! But, then we ran into stone and tree roots, so couldn’t put it as deep as hoped. Anyway, we did the best we could. It certainly has opened up new possibilities for the industry.

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