Is It Safe to Use Landscaping Fabric Around Established Trees With an Exposed Root System?

I have a large maple tree about 30 years old with a partially exposed root system. It is difficult to mow around the roots and I would like to place landscaping fabric around the tree and cover the fabric with pine straw mulch. Then I could set potted plants around it. The root system is so dense that my attempts with planting hostas and caladiums has been futile.

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