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HARTINGTON — If you have had weed barrier installed around your trees, it is important to check the trees for girdling. Girdling occurs when the tree grows larger than the opening in the weed barrier allows it to grow freely. The weed barrier is designed to break down with exposure to sunlight, but the tree canopy will block sunlight and halt this deterioration.
After 5 years, the cut in the weed barrier should be widened to accommodate future tree growth, as trees are generally well-established by then. A utility knife or a long-handled brush knife works well for enlarging the hole, and these items can generally be purchased at home improvement or farm stores. The weed barrier could also be removed. The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District has a long-handled brush knife available for checkout.
For more information, contact the Lewis & Clark Natural District at 402-254-6758 or the local forester, Chris Wood, at the Nebraska Forest Service at 402-3094721.
