Show how you perform weed control

[BJE80]

So any pictures of your weed control? I am looking to put gravel and weed fabric down this weekend finally on my trees which I was using gly for the past few years. But not sure how big of an area to plan on going with the fabric and gravel. Do you use landscape nails to secure the fabric.

 

[Lot2Learn]

I used 6'x6' lumite which works pretty well, but I still get weeds taking hold either in the gravel on top of the lumite, in the slit I've cut out of the lumite for fruit tree, etc. I either pull those weeds or very carefully spray with gly.

 

[Tree Spud]

This was why I stopped using gravel w/ lumite. Pissed me off! What's the point of putting gravel down if you still get weeds? I can understand weeds growing where the overlap is or where I put a hole for a post or w/e. This way I'm not spending money on gravel and don't have to lug around 40lb bags of it. Just lumite or knockoff stuff has worked fine for me. Black plastic is the best for moisture retention but I wouldn't use it at BJE's place.

I have found that the gravel will help keep the lumite around the base and not raise up and shed water down across the lumite which can be an issue for smaller trees. It also is a solid barrier around your mouse guard that mice cannot get through in the winter.

Pretty easy to spot spray or pluck out a weed from the gravel.

 

[Lot2Learn]

This was why I stopped using gravel w/ lumite. Pissed me off! What's the point of putting gravel down if you still get weeds?

Yeah, it's annoying, but I guess I consider the gravel part of my protection against mice/voles so while it does create a weed hassle, I think overall it's worth it.

 

[Native Hunter]

I use staples liberally so haven't had issues w/ it raising up. One or two are always near the trunk.

Where do you guys order your lumite and what are the best staples to use that last a long time?

 

[Lot2Learn]

I ordered mine from Shaw Fabrics (http://shawfabricproducts.com/Framify.php?Page=Home.php) but if/when I order again I'll order from our host John at Big Rock Trees (http://www.bigrocktrees.com/ground-covers.html )...helps a friend and lower prices too!

Big Rock also carries the 6"x1" staples I used.

Edit: Checking my receipts, I did order from Big Rock for my last lumite order!

 

[Buckly]

I got Lumite from Shaw Fabrics and used steel round top pins from Forestry Suppliers. They are supposed to hold so much better than a regular staple and I'm happy with them. They come 1000 to a box. I use around 40 per 6 x 6 square of lumite.

 

[Tree Spud]

Where do you guys order your lumite and what are the best staples to use that last a long time?

A box of 1000 staples for $48 ... http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/Products.asp?mi=67411

 

[chickenlittle]

I've used both round top and U shaped staples. I'd buy U shaped now. The round top bent too easily when they hit a stone and then were hard to straighten. A harder steel would help. Either worked if we were careful installing them. I found firmly holding the U where it entered the ground to keep it from opening helped that type. Similar for the round top. Tap tap tap instead of pound. Try another spot if you feel a rock.

Round top seemed to pull out easier from the wind when the ground was soft this spring. I don't have any gravel or mulch on my lumite to help and only about 10-20 staples for a 6'x6' sheet. More staples if ground was bumpy, fewer if smooth.

Bought both types from Forestry Suppliers when they had free shipping offer.

 

[chummer]

I don't use staples but have plenty of rocks around!

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I don't have any pix of my set-up, but the main reason I use the gravel is to create a mouse / vole-proof area around the trees. Jagged, sharp limestone gravel is cheap here and we buy it by the ton. We have it loaded onto a pick-up truck and drive it right to the planting spots. If you look at L2L's pix in post #2, we put 3" to 4" of limestone gravel all the way out to the edges of the landscape cloth or lumite - not just in the center. You don't see our landscape cloth when we're finished. It keeps the mice and voles away ( they can't / won't tunnel thru it ). The gravel, combined with aluminum window screen wraps have kept us free of any mouse / vole chewing our trees. We do get some weeds that germinate in the gravel, but we just carefully spot spray with gly. Once and done !!!

 

[Tree Spud]

I don't have any pix of my set-up, but the main reason I use the gravel is to create a mouse / vole-proof area around the trees. Jagged, sharp limestone gravel is cheap here and we buy it by the ton. We have it loaded onto a pick-up truck and drive it right to the planting spots. If you look at L2L's pix in post #2, we put 3" to 4" of limestone gravel all the way out to the edges of the landscape cloth or lumite - not just in the center. You don't see our landscape cloth when we're finished. It keeps the mice and voles away ( they can't / won't tunnel thru it ). The gravel, combined with aluminum window screen wraps have kept us free of any mouse / vole chewing our trees. We do get some weeds that germinate in the gravel, but we just carefully spot spray with gly. Once and done !!!

Aren't you worried about impacting the soil pH with the limestone? I use white landscape gravel which is pretty inert.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Our soil can use the added lime that leaches out of the limestone. Here in Pa., the rainfall is pretty acidic, so the soil can usually use a boost in pH. My camp is in the mountains where the soil is even more acidic ( leaves and pine needles ) so it all works to the good. But the main thing is ....... the little furry critters don't touch the trees !!! We haven't even seen an attempt at tunnels or burrowing. :)

 

[buckvelvet]

My limestone was dirt cheap $5 for a pickup load.


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[NY_Terrence]

I used 6'x6' lumite which works pretty well, but I still get weeds taking hold either in the gravel on top of the lumite, in the slit I've cut out of the lumite for fruit tree, etc. I either pull those weeds or very carefully spray with gly.

Wow... That picture is suitable for framing. Well done.