.jpg)
HARTINGTON — Girdling occurs when the tree grows bigger than the opening in the weed barrier will allow it to grow freely. The weed barrier is designed to break down with exposure to the sun, but the tree growth canopy will block the sun and halt this deterioration.
After five 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 long-handled brush knife works well to make the hole bigger, 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 that can be checked out for use. For more information, contact the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District at 402-254-6758 or the local forester, Chris Wood, at the Nebraska Forest Service at 402-309-4721.
