Abstract: The tree surgery method includes a decayed-tissue removing step of removing a decayed tissue of a cavity and exposing a solid woody tissue; an internal treating step of performing sterilization and insecticidal treatment on the woody tissue and drying the woody tissue; a protective layer forming step of coating the woody tissue with a protective agent to form a protective layer; a cambium exposing step of cutting out an edge of the cavity and exposing a cambium; a cavity filling step of filling the cavity on which the protective layer is formed with a urethane foam, and an artificial-tree-bark forming step of filling and coating an upper surface of the urethane foam with a tree bark material including a mixture of cork powder and silicone sealant to form an artificial tree bark. The tree bark material includes a mixture of colored silicone sealants allowing a color similar to real trees.

Abstract: The invention provides a hand-held electronic device for injecting an agent into a tree with continuous pressure sensing technology for real-time measurements of the pressure within the tree. The pressure measurement information is conveyed to an onboard central processing unit for data collection, analysis and optimization of the speed of injecting the agent into the tree. By continually monitoring the pressure and injection power, the injection pressure can be modified to adapt to back pressure fluctuations. In one embodiment of the invention the agent is injected into the tree under a preprogrammed pressure profile. In another embodiment of the invention the agent is injected into the tree under a variable pressure profile until the fastest injection time is obtained.

Abstract: Methods of protecting a crop from weed infestation, controlling weed growth, reducing fumigant dosage in crop protection, and reducing the growth of weeds by applying a polymer composite material with or without a biocide to soil, a crop, a vegetable, a weed, or combinations thereof are provided. In an aspect, the disclosure provides for a polymer composite material including a base polymer coated with: (1) a first barrier layer; (2) a second layer with our without a biocide; and (3) a third protective layer.

Abstract: A tree trimming method that is related to a convex method of pre-determined angular trimming of deciduous trees. The methodology uses pre-determined angle cuts for deciduous vegetation to re-orient new growth and shape shade trees, shrubs and ornamental trees. This pre-determined “convex cut” makes the curved cuts reorient the tree limbs to a pre-desired radial shape and encourages the tree limbs to re-orient and grow. This results in the deciduous tree canopy that is round or radial in shape. The pre-determined angle cutting proves useful for either on the outside perimeter or for clearing inside the tree canopy for power lines. Essentially any pre-determined angle of clearing or directional shaping to re-orient new growth can be done with this cutting method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the traceability of plants after field planting and during the whole productive and commercial cycle, by means of the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Tags technology, comprising: 1) marking of the plants by the grafting of radio-frequency microchips containing information relating to the plant it-self, directly in the trunk or other parts of the plant or by means of external systems; 2) handling and display of the traceability data by means of a suitable software system.

Abstract: A tree trimming method that is related to a convex method of angular trimming of trees. The methodology uses angle cuts for tree trimming and shaping of all shade trees, evergreen trees, and ornamental trees. The angle cutting of limbs is in a “convex cut”. This makes curved cuts bring the tree limbs in a radial shape and encourages them to grow which results in the tree canopy to be round or radial in shape. Angle cutting proves useful either on the outside perimeter or useful in vertical clearing inside the tree canopy for clearance (for power lines and such). Essentially any angle of clearing or directional shaping can be done with this of cutting method—under the canopy, on the sides, at the top, or clearing pathways through the middle without damage to the trees.

Abstract: A method of cutting a stem to be whip grafted, comprising: securing the stem in a bore of a hand-held grafting tool that includes an angled end, with a portion of the stem extending out from the angled end; drawing a knife across a face of the angled end to thereby cut the stem; and removing the cut stem from the grafting tool. In one respect the hand-held grafting tool comprises a housing having a bore and at least one angled end, a holding member, and moveable connectors attached to the holding member, wherein the moveable connectors protrude through and bisect the housing.

Abstract: A method of deflowering hardwood trees (dicots) comprises the steps of evaluating the physiological maturity of male and female flowers of a dicot, and injecting a solution containing synthetic indolebutyric acid (IBA) into vascular tissue of the tree when male and female flowers approach physiological maturity at or prior to fertilization. In accordance with a preferred method, the injected solution is about 4% synthetic IBA in water, and five milliliters of the solution is injected into the vascular tissue through each of a plurality of injection holes bored at spaced intervals about the circumference of the trunk of the dicot. The method causes delayed shedding of staminate flowers and early abortion or suppression of pistillate flowers, thereby preventing the development of fruit heads and the production of seed known to be a nuisance.

Abstract: The present invention provides agarwood from cultivated trees, and methods of generating agarwood in cultivated trees.

Abstract: A spike, drivable into the trunk of a tree, includes a hollow body which provides a storage chamber for a water soluble compound such as a pesticide or fertilizer. The spike has a generally pointed first end which facilitates driving the spike into a tree trunk. The hollow body is equipped with bleed apertures near the pointed end, so that when the spike is driven into the trunk of a tree, the storage chamber is coupled to the vascular system thereof. The spike is supplied with a resilient sheath that seals the bleed apertures during shipping and handling. As the spike is driven into a tree trunk, the sheath is peeled off the body, thereby exposing the bleed apertures to the tree's vascular tissue and forming a gasket between the spike body and the aperture created by driving the spike into the trunk.

Abstract: A spike, drivable into the trunk of a tree, includes a hollow body which provides a storage chamber for a water soluble compound such as a pesticide or fertilizer. The spike has a generally pointed first end which facilitates driving the spike into a tree trunk. The hollow body is equipped with bleed apertures near the pointed end, so that when the spike is driven into the trunk of a tree, the storage chamber is coupled to the vascular system thereof. The spike is supplied with a resilient sheath that seals the bleed apertures during shipping and handling. As the spike is driven into a tree trunk, the sheath is peeled off the body, thereby exposing the bleed apertures to the tree's vascular tissue and forming a gasket between the spike body and the aperture created by driving the spike into the trunk.

Abstract: A self watering tray apparatus for supporting a pot having a plant therein includes a tray for holding a fluid having a bottom and a side wall, a support being retained between the bottom and side wall of the tray, and a plug-in leg or wick filled with a fluid absorbing material such as soil or wick. The plug-in leg wicks up the fluid to the soil whenever the fluid is needed by the plant and drains the fluid down to the tray whenever the fluid in the pot is excessive to the plant.

Abstract: A method of applying a layer-form active ingredient depot with delayed release of active ingredients to plants or plant parts, having at least one pressure-sensitively adhering matrix layer (A) which comprises active ingredient and is in two-dimensional contact with the plant surface, and one back layer (B) which is essentially free from and impermeable to active ingredient and is on the side remote from the plant is characterized in that the layer (A) is produced by painting in the desired two-dimensional pattern at the site of application on the plant from a spreadable, pressure-sensitively adhering, polymer-based composition which comprises active ingredient and then on the said layer (A) the layer (B) is produced by painting or spraying.

Abstract: Chain saw guide bar and method of using a guide bar for spraying liquid on a sawn surface through a plurality of orifices formed in a guide bar side plate. The liquid is introduced into an inlet portion of a passage formed in a center plate of the guide bar and is conducted forwardly to the orifices. The liquid is sprayed from the orifices at equal pressures, and in spray directions having a component oriented parallel to a centerline of the guide bar. Thus, by adjusting the velocity of the sprayed liquid, the length dimension of the area sprayed can be adjusted.

Abstract: A method of cutting frond stubs of a date palm tree to produce a palm bark surface free of pockets where water can collect and which reduces the possibility of pathogen intrusion and proliferation is described using a cutting tool with a sharp straight edge to produce a geometric shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the release of systemic active substances to plants consisting of a backing layer and an active substance reservoir, which device is characterized in that the active substance reservoir is deformable and adaptable to uneven surfaces and that it is suitable for releasing active substances through surfaces of plants consisting of secondary, hardened superficial tissues not being covered by a cuticula.

Abstract: A device is set forth for trimming branch and frond segments from trees which includes a frame positionable about the trunk and a mechanism disposed on the frame for driving the frame upwardly and downwardly along the trunk. A carriage is carried by the frame and encircles the trunk. Trimming blades are mounted on the carriage in a chordal relationship and are biased to maintain engagement with the trunk. As the frame is driven upwardly, a motor rotates the carriage causing the blades to remove the branch and frond segments from the tree.

Abstract: A plant trimming apparatus comprises a cutting device operated in conjunction with a support apparatus. The cutting device includes an elongated handle member attached to a cutter, the cutter being preferably an electrical chain saw or tree trimmer. A power cord for the electric cutter is carried through a hollow portion of the handle to an electrical outlet or generator which provides power. The handle is preferably a hollow PVC tube. The handle is supported by a fulcrum apparatus which provides leverage for manipulating the cutter. The fulcrum apparatus comprises a pair of hollow tubes hingedly connected together to provide a V-shaped fulcrum point in which the handle rests. A third leg of pipe is hingedly connected to one of the legs, further down from the fulcrum point, to act as a third leg of a tripod. The third leg can be raised and held in the operator's hand for moving the fulcrum point fore and aft during the cutting operation.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet material for application to plant wounds comprises a flexible laminate of sheet material (the distal layer) and a permeable layer (the proximal layer), the layers being bonded together and the laminate containing in the proximal layer or between the layers, liquid absorbing solid particles and/or fibrous absorbent material and the laminate containing or having its proximal surface coated with a biologically active material which is a biostat or a biocide.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for making grafting-flap cuts in the bark of a tree limb includes an elongated tubular body having an open end for accommodating coaxial insertion of the limb. The end of the body adjacent the open end has a plurality of elongated slots longitudinally disposed in the tubular body. A plug within the tubular body limits the insertion depth of the limb to a preselected distance. A plurality of elongated knife members are provided. The longitudinal axis of each of the knife members registers with the longitudinal axis of one of the circumferentially spaced slots in said tubular body. The knife members are supported by a support ring radially projecting above the outer surface of the tubular body and are disposed in a corresponding plurality of radially projecting circumferentially equally-spaced slots in the support ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for thinning bunches of young berries comprising a cutter head for housing a cutter. The cutter head is constructed with guides to permit the user to excise selected laterals from the main stem of the bunch without nicking or scraping the main stem, or coming into physical contact therewith except at the tip thereof. The tool includes a handle for controlling the cutter head. The handle serves a double function in that it is also a measuring device which permits the worker to nip off the tip of the main stem touched by the worker doing the thinning process, at a predetermined length.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of certain new and useful improvements in means and methods for shrub and tree surgery, and more particularly to a use of fiberglass and fiberglass resin and hardener techniques to more effectively treat tree wounds and cavities. Such methods and means have been found more successful than other tree surgery methods now in use, i.e., the use of concrete filler, sheet metal plates, etc. for permanent tree healing and for insect and element protection.Two procedures are used, dictated by the type of injury, (1) a combination of fiberglass resin and hardener can be applied directly to damaged exposed wood tissue (where branches up to 12 inches in diameter have just been removed, or other exposed tissue areas such as trunks, roots, pruned limb ends, etc.