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DeepRoot UB 12-2 Tree Root Barrier, 12-Inch by 24-Inch

SKU UB-12-2
Original price $316.31 - Original price $316.31
Original price
$316.31
$316.31 - $316.31
Current price $316.31
Free Shipping

DeepRoot · Universal Barrier · Model UB-12-2

The DeepRoot UB 12-2 is the shallowest panel in the Universal Barrier range — 12" high by 24" wide, supplied 40 to a carton for 80 linear feet. DeepRoot names this depth as the one for cart paths, bike paths, patios and sidewalks, or wherever the nearby species is not especially aggressive. Raised 90° ribs turn roots downward instead of letting them run flat under the slab, ground-lock tabs stop the tree lifting the panel, and the patented zipper joiner means a long run assembles without loose clips.

Panel Depth
12"× 24" wide
Panels Per Carton
40Sold by the carton
Coverage
80 ftLinear feet per carton
Material
0.080"Copolymer polypropylene
  • Made in the USA
  • 75% reprocessed polypropylene
  • Patented zipper joiner
  • UV inhibitors
  • Free shipping on all orders

Free Shipping - Please submit a Quote Request for quantities larger than listed below.

Quantity Price Per Unit
(Free Shipping)
1 $316.31
2+ $300.49
3+ $284.68
10+ $268.86

01 Universal Barrier system

12-Inch Root Barrier For Paths, Patios And Light Paving

The DeepRoot UB 12-2 is the shallowest panel in the Universal Barrier range — 12" high by 24" wide, supplied 40 to a carton for 80 linear feet. DeepRoot names this depth as the one for cart paths, bike paths, patios and sidewalks, or wherever the nearby species is not especially aggressive.

Raised 90° ribs turn roots downward instead of letting them run flat under the slab, ground-lock tabs stop the tree lifting the panel, and the patented zipper joiner means a long run assembles without loose clips. Every order ships free.

DeepRoot Universal Barrier panels, 12, 18 and 24 inch depths
The 12", 18" and 24" Universal Barrier panels.

12"panel depth · 80 linear ft per carton

40 panels per carton, each 24" wide — every panel covers 2 linear feet.

02 How it works

Redirect Roots Down, Not Up

Roots follow the path of least resistance. A vertical barrier with 1/2" raised 90° moulded ribs guides them downward along its face instead of letting them run flat beneath a slab, which is what lifts pavement, cracks concrete and creates trip hazards. Ground-lock tabs key into native soil so the tree cannot push the panel up.

UB-12-2 Tech Sheet

03 Product data

Specifications

ModelUB-12-2
BrandDeepRoot
SeriesUniversal Barrier (UB-2)
Panel size12" high × 24" wide
Coverage per panel2 linear feet
Panels per carton40
Linear feet per carton80
Root deflecting ribs1/2" raised, moulded at 90°
JoiningPatented integrated zipper joiner, adjustable in 2' modules
MaterialCopolymer polypropylene, 0.080" (2.032 mm) thick
Recycled content75% reprocessed polypropylene
ManufacturingInjection moulded, ISO 9002 certified, made in the USA
ApplicationsLinear, surround and root pruning
Sold by the carton. The price is for a full carton of 40 panels, covering 80 linear feet. Volume pricing is available on orders of 13 or more cartons.

04 Where it gets used

Applications

The Universal Guide profile handles all three barrier configurations, so the same panel covers a straight run, a ring around a tree, or a retrofit after root pruning.

Sidewalks & footpaths Patios Bike & cart paths Driveways Curbs & kerb lines Roadways Linear tree rows Tree surrounds Root pruning retrofits Planters Playground perimeters Foundations Utility protection Garden bed edging

05 Panel design

What Is On The Panel

Patented zipper joiner

Panels slide together on an integrated joiner track rather than fiddly loose clips, so long runs assemble fast and stay aligned. Sizing adjusts in 2' modules.

90° root deflecting ribs

Half-inch raised ribs moulded at 90 degrees guide roots downward along the barrier face instead of letting them turn and run beneath the hardscape.

Ground lock tabs

Tabs key into the native soil to resist the panel being lifted by the tree as the root system develops.

Double top edge

A doubled top edge adds strength and handling safety, keeps the grade line tidy, and resists roots growing over the top of the barrier.

Also standard across the range: UV inhibitors for long service life, rounded edges for safe handling, and 75% reprocessed polypropylene content. DeepRoot products are protected under one or more of U.S. Patents 5,070,642, 5,305,549 and 5,528,857.

06 Choosing a depth

Which Panel Depth Do I Need?

Every panel in the UB-2 range is 24" wide with the same ribs, joiner and tabs. Depth is the variable — deeper panels for more aggressive species and higher-risk hardscapes.

Property UB-12-2 UB-18-2 UB-24-2 UB-36-2 UB-48-2
Depth12"18"24"36"48"
Panels/carton4026201410
Linear ft/carton8052402820
Trench depth13–14"19–20"25–26"37–38"49–50"
DeepRoot's guidance. The 12" depth is ideal for cart paths, bike paths and less aggressive tree species. For deeper utilities, roadways or vigorous species, step up to a taller panel in the same system. Confirm species and spacing with a certified arborist and check local codes.

07 Installation

Installation Overview

Six stages. Always follow DeepRoot's specifications and local arborist guidance for species, spacing and pruning.

  1. Layout and utilities. Mark the run and verify utility clearances before you break ground.
  2. Excavate the trench. Cut to roughly 13–14" deep so the 12" panel seats with 1–2" of cover, keeping the wall face plumb.
  3. Set the first panel. Ribs face the tree side. Engage the ground-lock tabs into native soil.
  4. Zip the next panel in. Slide it into the previous panel's joiner track, keeping top edges flush and the line straight.
  5. Backfill and compact. Work in lifts, holding panel alignment, and finish grade to slightly cover the top edge where specified.
  6. Final inspection. Confirm continuous protection with no gaps, flipped or reversed panels.
DeepRoot root barrier run installed alongside a hardscape edge
Continuous linear run along a hardscape edge.
DeepRoot Universal Barrier panel set vertically in an excavated trench
Panel seated with the ribbed face toward the tree.
DeepRoot barrier panels zipped together into a continuous line before backfill
Panels zipped together, top edges flush.

08 Quick takeoff

How Many Panels Do I Need?

  1. Measure the run. The length of hardscape or bed edge you want protected, in feet.
  2. Divide by 2. Each panel is 24" wide, so it covers 2 linear feet.
  3. Round up and add 5–10% for cuts and contingencies.
Worked example. 60 ft of sidewalk edge ÷ 2 ft per panel = 30 panels. Add 10% and order about 33 panels. This carton holds 40, covering 80 linear feet.

09 Three configurations

Linear, Surround Or Root Pruning

  • Linear. A continuous run parallel to the pavement, protecting the full length of a sidewalk, kerb or path.
  • Surround. A ring or arc enclosing the root ball, directing roots down and out below the hardscape.
  • Root pruning. A retrofit around an established tree, installed after selective pruning by a certified arborist.

Because the panel is modular and joins in 2' increments, arcs and straight runs use the same product — no special corner pieces.

10 Tested properties

Material Properties

Copolymer polypropylene, injection moulded, tested to ASTM methods.

Tensile stress at yieldASTM D6383,800 PSI (26,200 kPa)
Elongation at yieldASTM D6386.3%
Flexural modulusASTM D790B155,000 PSI (1,068,687 kPa)
Notched Izod impactASTM D256A7.1
Rockwell hardness, r-scaleASTM D785A68

11 Assembly

Watch The Zipper Joiner

The joining mechanism is the reason these go in quickly. Two minutes of footage showing panels sliding together on site is worth more than a paragraph describing it — particularly if you are pricing labour for a long run.

12 Free shipping, every order

Deeproot Barrier Shipping Time:

Deeproot orders ship same day (M-F) if order is placed before 12:00 noon CST. Transit times displayed in the map are listed in business days, are approximate and are specific to Deeproot Root Barrier only. The day that the order is shipped is not counted as a transit day.

Deeproot root barrier shipping transit time map of the United States in business days

13 Buying from us

Why Buy Root Barrier Panels From Landscape Discount

Authentic, professional-grade panels only

From two trusted US-based manufacturers, DeepRoot and NDS. The barriers we sell have been rigorously tested to give years of dependable root protection underground.

No look-alikes or imitation products

We never ship "look-alike" panels. We ship what you order, every time.

Labour is the expensive part

On a root barrier job the digging costs more than the panel. Installing a cheap off-brand barrier and having to redo it is the expensive mistake — do it once, do it right.

We answer the phone

When you call you quickly reach a helpful, live person happy to answer your product and order questions. (M-F 5:00 am - 3:00 pm Pacific Time)

14 Documentation

UB-12-2 Tech Sheet

The size-specific tech sheet for the UB-12-2, with panel dimensions, carton quantities and material data.

Download Tech Sheet

15 Related options

Other Panel Depths

DeepRoot UB-18-2 tree root barrier panel

18" deep — UB-18-2

Sidewalks and light paving. 26 panels per carton, 52 linear feet.

DeepRoot UB-24-2 tree root barrier panel

24" deep — UB-24-2

General hardscape protection, kerbs and utilities. 20 panels per carton, 40 linear feet.

DeepRoot UB-36-2 tree root barrier panel

36" deep — UB-36-2

Roadways and vigorous species. 14 panels per carton, 28 linear feet.

DeepRoot UB-48-2 tree root barrier panel

48" deep — UB-48-2

Deep utilities and the most vigorous species. 10 panels per carton, 20 linear feet.

16 Common questions

Root Barrier FAQs

How many panels do I need?
Measure the run you want to protect in feet and divide by 2, since each panel is 24" wide. Round up and add 5–10% for cuts. This carton contains 40 panels, covering 80 linear feet.
How deep should the barrier be?
This panel is 12" deep. DeepRoot's guidance is that 12" suits cart paths, bike paths and less aggressive species, and that deeper utilities, roadways or vigorous species call for a taller panel. Check local codes and speak to an arborist about your species.
Will a root barrier hurt the tree?
Used properly, no. The barrier redirects roots downward rather than severing them indiscriminately. When retrofitting near an established tree, pair the barrier with professional root pruning by a certified arborist to protect tree health.
Can I curve the barrier or install it in an arc?
Yes. The panels are modular and join in 2' increments, so arcs, rings and straight runs all use the same product. The zipper joint keeps alignment as you go — no special corner pieces needed.
Which way do the ribs face?
Toward the tree. The raised 90° ribs are what guide roots downward along the barrier face, so they need to meet the roots first.
How deep should I dig the trench?
About 13–14" for this panel — the 12" panel depth plus 1–2" of cover over the top edge. Keep the trench wall plumb so the panel sits vertical.
Can roots grow over the top of the barrier?
The double top edge is designed to resist exactly that, and finishing grade slightly over the top edge helps. On higher-risk sites, a deeper panel gives more margin.
Is it sold by the panel or the carton?
By the carton. This listing is a full carton of 40 panels. Volume pricing is available on orders of 13 or more cartons — call (800) 524-4161.
What is it made of?
Copolymer polypropylene at 0.080" thickness, injection moulded from 75% reprocessed polypropylene with UV inhibitors, in an ISO 9002 certified facility in the USA.
Can I cut a panel down?
Panels can be cut to suit a run that does not land on a 2' module. Cut cleanly and keep the joiner edge intact on the piece you are zipping into the next panel.
What does shipping cost?
Nothing — shipping is free on all orders. Deeproot orders placed before 12:00 noon CST ship the same day, Monday to Friday.

17 Larger projects

Ordering 13 Or More Cartons?

Volume pricing is available on orders of 13 cartons or more. Tell us the run length you need to protect and we'll come back with a written quote. Shipping stays free at every quantity. Questions? Call (800) 524-4161.