I've been cautious about copper mesh too, mainly due to cost and corrosion concerns. Has anyone tried heavy-duty landscape fabric instead? Seems cheaper and might hold up better in wet conditions... Curious if it's effective enough.
Landscape fabric can definitely be tempting due to the lower cost, but honestly, I'd be cautious about relying on it for root control. I've seen it used extensively in landscaping projects, and while it's great at suppressing weeds and stabilizing soil, determined tree roots tend to find their way through eventually. Roots are incredibly persistent—I've pulled up landscape fabric after a few years only to find it punctured by roots that have wormed their way through tiny gaps or seams.
If you're worried about corrosion with copper mesh, you might consider root barrier panels made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They're specifically designed for this purpose, resistant to moisture, and hold up better over time compared to landscape fabric. Yes, they're pricier than fabric initially, but in terms of long-term effectiveness and avoiding future headaches...it could be worth the investment. Just my two cents based on experience dealing with stubborn tree roots in wet climates.
Landscape fabric definitely has its limits, but honestly, I've seen HDPE barriers fail too—roots just sneak under or around eventually. Best bet might be regular root pruning every couple years...tedious, sure, but pretty reliable long-term.
"Best bet might be regular root pruning every couple years...tedious, sure, but pretty reliable long-term."
Yeah, agreed—regular pruning's probably the most reliable route. I've seen HDPE barriers buckle under pressure too, especially if they're not installed deep enough. A sharp trenching shovel every few seasons usually does the trick.
I've had mixed luck with trenching shovels myself...last summer, I spent a whole weekend hacking away at roots that had crept under my raised beds.
—yeah, learned that the hard way too. Regular pruning's tedious but beats redoing barriers every few years."HDPE barriers buckle under pressure"
