Fiberweb, Inc. manufactures Biobarrier®. Biobarrier is made of a durable, nonwoven, polypropylene geotextile fabric with permanently attached nodules containing trifluralin. Trifluralin prevents root tip cells from dividing, which is the method by which roots grow. The nodules are engineered to slowly release the trifluralin, creating a zone where root growth is inhibited. The geotextile fabric is porous to allow air, nutrients and water through it so that soil hydrology can continue to be healthy.

Characteristics:

For more than 50 years, trifluralin has been used between rows of food crops to prevent weed growth; because of this extensive use and numerous research projects, much is known about it. It has an EPA toxicity rating of class IV, the “practically nontoxic” class (acute oral: LD50, (rats) > 10,000 mg/kg), making it slightly more toxic than sugar but less than salt. Trifluralin has an extremely low water solubility of 0.3 ppm, making it unlikely to leach. It tightly attaches to soil, so it doesn’t tend to migrate, and it decomposes in six months or less, so it doesn’t persist in the ground. Typar-type cloth with plastic, triflouralin-encased nodules imbedded into the cloth to control root damage. The time-released, built-in herbicide stops cell division and is not systemic. Will not leach into groundwater.

Uses:

Easy to install and will be effective at least 15 years. However, depending on soil temperature and composition, it should last much longer. Pruning should be done with care and common sense. Roots give trees support and sustenance, and severe pruning can effect both functions. When in doubt, call an arborist for consultation. Available in 12′, 19.5′, 29”, 39′, & 58.5′ X 100′ and 20’rolls.

Guarantee:

Biobarrier is guaranteed for 15 years.

Biobarrier II – Preemergence Weed Control System

Typar-type cloth with plastic, triflouralin-encased nodules imbedded into the cloth, installed horizontally, will inhibit the growth of the most stubborn weeds and grasses. Biobarrier II releases only the minimum amount of trifluralin biologically necessary to control weed growth. In applications where safety is an issue, workers do not have to be exposed to traffic during mowing or trimming operations. Biobarrier II is especially popular among transportation departments, but landscape contractors and homeowners find it useful too.

Uses:

• Around the base of trees to prevent potential trunk damage from weed trimmers
• Under guard rails, road signs and other roadside areas where mowing or spraying is unsafe or not feasible
• Beneath brick or paver walkways
• Beneath gravel in utility substations (electrical & natural gas) to eliminate surface spraying
• In greenhouses
• Under wood decks
• In shrub and flower beds and rock gardens

With its fabric construction, Biobarrier II can be cut and shaped to fit any landscape configuration. Available in 12′, 19.5′, 29”, 39′, & 58.5′ X 100′ and 20’rolls.

Guarantee:

Biobarrier II is guaranteed for 10 years.

Additional Resources:

Biobarrier Brochure (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier Technical Manual Offered to you by Hort Enterprises (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier Additional Installation Detail (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Sidewalk / Median Applications for Tree Planting (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Linear Applications for Tree Planting (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier Electrical Utility Applications (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier Green Roof Project Ajax Operations Centre Case Study (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier Septic Tank Application (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier Tree Roots vs House Foundation Case Study (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier 2 for Radio Towers (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)

Biobarrier MSDS (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)