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Fabric Mulch Demonstration
Project Summary:
Inadequate
moisture and weed competition often hamper shelterbelt establishment. In 1994,
fabric mulch was installed after trees were established at four sites. However,
Site B has since been discontinued. These sites are located across the
Municipal District of Provost #52. They have been evaluated since 1994 to see
how the trees have survived and to monitor the amount of deterioration that has
occurred in the mulch. In 2002, the mulch still shows little deterioration. It
continues to suppress weeds and improve soil moisture. Interestingly, when
comparing the tree growth along the shelterbelt from the area covered with
mulch to the area designated as the control, results have differed greatly from
site to site.
Objectives:
- To determine if the fabric mulch is an effective
method in establishing a healthy shelterbelt.
- To prove the fabric mulch does hold a
significant amount of moisture in the soil and that it also inhibits the
growth of weeds.
Cooperators:
Site A: Darren Flynn
Site C: Dwayne and
Lucille Peterson
Site D: Gordon Currier
Project Advisor: Dewitt
Company
Legal Land Locations:
Site A: SE-2-39-7-W4
Site C:
SW-6-38-1-W4
Site D:
SE-17-42-6-W4
Site Information: Site
A: Caragana and willow in cultivated sandy soil.
Site C: Spruce
were planted into a canola crop
Site D:
Willows were planted into a canola crop.
Background/Project
Description: In 1994, four different
sites were chosen and four different types of trees were planted. A fabric
mulch machine, purchased from South Carolina, was used to lay the Sunbelt fabric mulch over top of the shelterbelt seedlings. Tree survival
counts and soil samples were taken in late June of 1994 and
1995. Pictures and slides have been taken at all sites. The fabric mulch
has been monitored each year to see if and when it starts to deteriorate.
Observations:
Site A: SE-2-39-7-W4, Darren Flynn
The mulch at
this site is heavily covered with grass and weeds from the edge of the fabric.
There is 80% or better coverage from grass and weeds over the fabric mulch
borders. In the middle of the fabric mulch there are visible holes from
gophers, weeds and grass clumps that have gone through the fabric. Although
there is the odd hole present in the fabric, it is still one solid sheet and
holding up quite well. The growth of the caragana
trees with the mulch is outstanding to the condition of the neighboring control
trees. In conclusion, the fabric mulch has proved itself. It has outlasted its guarantee.
Site C: SW-6-38-1-W4, Dwayne and Lucille
Peterson
This fabric mulch site has definitely been taken good
care of. There has been a lot of maintenance provided at this site. When
viewing this site there is about 85% of the fabric mulch that is still visible.
There are a few weeds that have popped through the fabric, but there really is
no damage done to this fabric mulch. There are a few spots where some grass has
also accumulated, but there is not enough to really worry about. Overall this
site looks great and the fabric mulch is standing up and not deteriorating yet.
The care and maintenance of the fabric mulch has kept this site in such
immaculate shape.
Site D: SW-17-42-6-W4, Gordon Currier
Due to
weathering, the fabric mulch is not in as good a shape as the other two sites.
The fabric mulch has rips and tears throughout it and there is quite a lot of
sod growing on top of the fabric mulch.
There is however still approximately 70% of the fabric that is visible.
The fabric is still holding on and doing its job, but the weather will soon
start to deteriorate this fabric. Like
the other sites this fabric mulch has outlived it’s
guarantee.
Sunbelt mulch worked
well in this project, but the cost of purchase is a factor to consider. A 6-ft
x 500-ft roll was purchased in 1994 for $225. Thus, for a half mile of
shelterbelt trees, the fabric mulch would cost $1,188. Sunbelt mulch product is no longer on the market, but there are many similar
products that can now be purchased in Canada.
Future Plans:
Although the original project has been completed, the
E.C.A.F.A will continue to monitor the sites to determine when the fabric mulch
does eventually deteriorate.
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