Sidewalk Shield Tree Root Barrier

Use the depth your plan or spec calls for. With no plan or spec, email us at hello@protechplastic.com before you order.

Vertical, by default. Straight runs go along the paving edge, as in typical city details. Where there is room, you can lean a straight run about 10°, with the top edge toward the tree. A ring around a tree is set vertical. Either way, it is designed to turn roots down and away from the paving. Bamboo Shield leans the other way on purpose, to bring rhizomes up where you can cut them. If the project plan or city detail differs, follow the plan.

A straight run goes along the paving edge, so the paving sets where it goes. For a ring around a tree, stay no closer to the trunk than half the distance from the trunk to the mature drip line, and set the ring vertical; the lean is for straight runs only. The drip line is how far the branches will reach from the trunk when the tree is grown.

Call 811 before you dig. Dig along the paving edge to the barrier depth minus ½ to 1 in, stand the barrier vertical with the top edge ½ to 1 in above finished grade, and backfill in 6 in lifts. Where there is room, you can lean the top edge about 10° toward the tree. If the project plan or city detail differs, follow the plan. The install manual has every step.

½ to 1 in above finished grade. Dig the trench to the barrier depth minus that: 17 to 17½ in for 18 in, 29 to 29½ in for 30 in and 35 to 35½ in for 36 in.

At 30 and 36 in, yes: it is the same roll under two brands. The difference is how it goes in. Sidewalk Shield usually stands vertical along the paving, with its top edge ½ to 1 in above grade, and any lean goes toward the tree. Bamboo Shield’s top tilts away from the bamboo, with a 2 in lip. Sidewalk Shield also comes in 18 in, and Bamboo Shield in 24 in.

None, if the run fits in one piece. Sidewalk Shield ships as one continuous piece up to 175 ft at 18 in, 100 ft at 30 in and 70 ft at 36 in. Where two pieces meet, overlap them 12 in and clamp them with the stainless connecting kit, one kit per joint. Example: a 90 ft run at 36 in takes two pieces and one joint, so 90 + 1 = 91 ft, ordered as two cuts such as 50 and 45 ft. The calculator splits a run into equal cuts, so it shows 2 × 50 ft = 100 ft; either works.

For one tree, plan a run about the tree’s mature canopy width plus 2 ft, centered on the trunk, so it reaches about 1 ft past the mature drip line on each side. If the city detail gives a length, use that. Add 12 in for every joint and round up to the next 5 ft. Example: a tree with a 20 ft mature canopy takes about a 22 ft run, so order 25 ft. The “How much do I need?” calculator above does the math.

By the foot in 5 ft steps, with a 20 ft minimum. We cut each length as one continuous piece, up to 175 ft at 18 in, 100 ft at 30 in and 70 ft at 36 in. Each cut ships as one box, and boxes stay under 110 lb, which is why deeper barrier has a shorter longest piece. For a longer run, order more than one cut.

Overlap the ends 12 in and clamp them with the stainless connecting kit: two 1.5 in stainless straps plus hardware. Use one kit per joint, and add 12 in to your order for each joint.

Send the depth, thickness, puncture result, material and joining method. For Sidewalk Shield: 18 or 30 in at 80 mil (155 lbf) or 36 in at 100 mil (200 lbf), tested to ASTM D4833. HDPE made in the USA. Joints overlapped 12 in and clamped with stainless straps. Ask us for anything else the reviewer needs.

Yes, but digging the trench cuts the roots along that line. Talk to an arborist before you trench beside an established tree.

HDPE made in the USA: 80 mil at 18 and 30 in, 100 mil at 36 in. Puncture resistance is 155 lbf at 80 mil and 200 lbf at 100 mil (ASTM D4833).

Shipping is free, and we ship to the lower 48 states only, by FedEx Home Delivery or FedEx Ground. Orders placed before 2 pm Central on a business day usually ship that day; later orders ship the next business day. You can return an order within 30 days of delivery, cut rolls included, if it is unused and uninstalled. You pay the return shipping, and we refund your original payment within 5 business days of receiving the return. If something arrives damaged, email photos to hello@protechplastic.com within 7 days of delivery and we will send a replacement.