RCF® Root Control Fabric

Product lineup

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism New Technology Information System (NETIS)
Registered construction method number: TH-100007-A

Product characteristics
Product specifications
How to install
Case study
FAQs
Product catalog

Features

RCF® is a non-permeable sheet to control root growth with a four-layer span bond nonwoven fabric coated with polypropylene on both sides. With excellent tensile strength, extension, water pressure resistance, and flexural strength, this product resists the pressure of root growth and soil pressure applied when installed underground. Also, there is no problem with deterioration caused by water. Since this product contains no chemical agents, it is expected to allow healthy tree growth while preventing rhizome growth for a long time. This product is being widely used in Europe where the use of chemicals is not allowed.

As root-resistant sheet for rooftop greening

Four widths are available: 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, and 2 m. Please select the appropriate width for the installation sites. The 2 m type is most often selected for installation on flat surfaces and slopes due to the ease of installation. Examples of applications include uses on slopes to protect levees from plant roots and uses on flat surfaces for rooftop greening. For installation on pavement and garden paths, vertically install the Root Control Fabric to prevent the invasion of roots into the pavement and onto the paths.
This is a Root Control Fabric for all-round applications (works for all types of trees, bamboo, and sasa) with protection against UV rays to improve the durability of the exposed sections.
The effect is semi-permanent if the sheet is installed underground without exposure to UV rays. In many of the actual cases, this product has functioned for more than two decades in Europe.

Various applications conducted so far

- Pavement material for paths in parks and roads, protection of interlocking
- Prevention of the invasion of roots from green strips and sections of roads
- Protection of shared cable ducts, communication cables, and water supply and sewage ducts
- Protection of underground tanks and infiltration tanks
- Root resistant sheet for rooftop greening
- Protection of embankments by planting vegetation on slopes
- Protection of water blocking sheet at reservoirs
- Prevention of the spread of bamboo forests
- Prevention of muddy water from gushing out as water blocking sheet for reinforcing road bases

This product has been used for various purposes in various locations for more than ten years.

The sheet controlled rhizome growth without penetration. The common hibiscus kept growing along the sheet without root rot. Rhizome growth was observed beneath the sheet.

The diameter of the rhizomes of the Moso bamboo is about 2.5 cm, which kept growing along the sheet after it had touched the sheet. The sheet perfectly controlled the growth without penetration.

RCF® Root Control Fabric - Product specifications

RCF® Root Control Fabric

Item number	Specification	Thickness
RCF420-0520	0.5 m wide x 20 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-0510	0.5 m wide x 10 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-1020	1 m wide x 20 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-1010	1 m wide x 10 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-1520	1.5 m wide x 20 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-1510	1.5 m wide x 10 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-2020	2 m wide x 20 m long	0.69mm
RCF420-2010	2 m wide x 10 m long	0.69mm

RCF® Root Control Fabric Tape

Item number	Specification	Thickness
RCF® Root Control Fabric Tape	RT-1000	10 cm wide x 10 m long

*Please select the appropriate width of RCF® Root Control Fabric based on the conditions of the installation sites and rhizomes. Please contact us if you have trouble determining the sheet width.
*RCF® Root Control Fabric Tape is used to connect the sheets. Please apply the tape to both sides of the sheet for the connection.

How to install

STEP 1	Digging Determine an area for planting and dig a hole with a power shovel.
STEP 2	Check the depth of the necessary sections. It is effective if this process is done by one operator and one assistant. Check the depth of the necessary sections.
STEP 3	Connection of Root control fabric tape To connect the sheets, overlap the sheets by one meter or more for protection against bamboo and cleanly connect both sides using the special root control fabric tapes. (*The overlapped section may be 20 cm for controlling tree roots.)
STEP 4	Spread the sheets. When spreading the sheets, erect poles at a proper interval to prevent the sheet from warping.
STEP 5	Refill soil after installation. Spread sheets to some extent, and refill soil after installation is complete. In this process, avoid quickly dumping soil onto the sheet because doing so may cause warping of the sheet. Refill soil while quietly stepping the soil.
STEP 6	Compacting Compact the refilled soil with a power shovel or plate rolling.
STEP 7	Planting Plant trees and flowers to complete the entire process.

STEP

1

Digging

Determine an area for planting and dig a hole with a power shovel.

Digging

STEP

2

Check the depth of the necessary sections.

It is effective if this process is done by one operator and one assistant. Check the depth of the necessary sections.

Check the depth of the necessary sections.

STEP

3

Connection of Root control fabric tape

To connect the sheets, overlap the sheets by one meter or more for protection against bamboo and cleanly connect both sides using the special root control fabric tapes. (*The overlapped section may be 20 cm for controlling tree roots.)

Connection of Root control fabric tape

STEP

4

Spread the sheets.

When spreading the sheets, erect poles at a proper interval to prevent the sheet from warping.

Spread the sheets.

STEP

5

Refill soil after installation.

Spread sheets to some extent, and refill soil after installation is complete. In this process, avoid quickly dumping soil onto the sheet because doing so may cause warping of the sheet. Refill soil while quietly stepping the soil.

Refill soil after installation.

STEP

6

Compacting

Compact the refilled soil with a power shovel or plate rolling.

Compacting

STEP

7

Planting

Plant trees and flowers to complete the entire process.

Planting

Case study

Sasa root control

Roadside trees

Sasa root control

Roadside tree root control

Slopes

During installation

Underground storage

Project to plant cherry blossom trees on embankments

Roadside trees

Bamboo root control

FAQs

What is this product made of?: This is a sheet made of unwoven fabric made of polypropylene fibers with polypropylene resin coating on both sides.
Is this water permeable?: No, it is not water permeable. This product is not permeable.
Does this product have front and back sides?: No. Both sides can be used as the front.
What are the durable years of this product?: The durability is semi-permanent.
With what kind of mechanism does this sheet stop root growth?: The durable non-permeable sheet functions as a wall and physically blocks tree roots. No chemicals are used.
Can this product block bamboo and sasa?: Yes. It can block the roots of bamboo and sasa. We conducted a root inhibition test using the Moso bamboo whose root growth is the fastest and strongest. This product successfully stopped root growth without any problem in the test.
I would like to horizontally control bamboo growth. Can I install this sheet on a flat surface?: Such use is not recommended.
I would like to stop the growth of sasa. What is the appropriate width of the sheet for this purpose?: It varies depending on the type of sasa, but we recommend 50 cm or 1 m.
How deep should I excavate the ground to install this sheet for bamboo control?: We recommend sheets wider than one meter for controlling the Moso bamboo. In such cases, please excavate more than one meter deep and about 50 cm wide as the working space.
Why is the sheet protruding at the ground surface when it is used for bamboo control?: The protrusion is to prevent aboveground growth of bamboo rhizomes because the plant grows very rapidly and jumps over obstacles on the ground to keep growing.
How much protrusion above the ground should I create?: The protrusion should be about 5 cm from the ground surface.
How should I connect these sheets?: Please tape the front and back sides of the connected parts using the special RCF® root control fabric tape. Taping only one side reduces the root control effect because roots will enter through it from the other side while peeling off and disconnecting the tape. Be sure to block all entry routes for roots by thoroughly taping both the front and back sides.
■ For trees: Create a 20 cm overlap and tape the sheets using RCF® root control fabric tape on both the front and back sides.
■ For bamboo: Create a 1 m overlap and tape the sheets using RCF® root control fabric tape on both the front and back sides.
Does the sheet cause trees to wither?: Trees will not wither because the roots keep growing along the sheet. There is no risk of withering trees because the sheet contains NO chemicals.
Can I use any kind of tape for connecting the sheets?: Please use the special RCF® root control fabric tape. This tape has excellent water repellency and adhesive force. We recommend this as the special tape.
Should I secure sheets with pins?: Please do not put pins through the sheet. There is a risk that roots will grow through the holes created in the sheets by the pins. Support sheets from the sides using stakes to prevent them from collapsing. Please paste both sides of the overlapped sections of sheets using RCF®root control fabric tape.
I am currently using steel plates to block bamboo growth. What are the advantages of RCF® Root Control Fabrics compared to steel plates?: Unlike steel plates, this product is made of polypropylene, which means it will not rust and the effect is semi-permanent if it is installed underground without exposure to UV rays. In addition, this product is lightweight and can be cut with scissors and cutters for easy installation.
Can I use this product as a Root Control Fabric for rooftop greening?: Yes, you can use this sheet for that purpose.
How can I install this sheet on a flat surface?: Flat-surface installation is conducted for rooftop greening. Since this sheet is non-permeable, please create a gradient to prevent water from accumulating upon installation.
Can I use this for protecting a septic tank?: Yes, you can use this sheet for that purpose. The width needs to be properly selected depending on the tree types. Please contact our sales representatives for more details.
Can I use this product in exposed conditions?: Such use is not recommended. RCF® Root Control Fabric is UV-resistant, but it cannot provide root control function when it is exposed to UV rays.
Can I use this product by winding it around drains and pipes?: Yes. It can be used for that purpose.
Does this product require maintenance after installation?: It depends on the types of trees. Yet, please immediately remove any root that jumps over the sheet.
Can I cut this sheet myself?: Yes, it can be cut with cutters or scissors.
Can you cut the width of the sheet?: Yes. We can cut this sheet to desirable widths for a processing fee.

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