What will they think of next? You can buy disks made of recycled tires that fit around the base of a tree or shrub, and come in different sizes (figure A). These disks prevent weeds from growing close to the tree, so you don't have to risk cutting the bark using a string trimmer to kill weeds. The disks do let water through, however. To install a disk, dig out a suitable amount of sod from the base of the tree. Slip the disk around the trunk, and then work it down into the depression you've made in the dirt. As the trunk gets larger, use clippers or a knife to enlarge the disk's hole.
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