Abstract

A metal cartridge is driven into a downwardly-inclined bore in the trunk of a tree, and a hypodermic needle is inserted through a mass of sealable material carried by the rearward end portion of the cartridge and accessible externally thereof. Preferably, the sealable material comprises silicone which is room temperature vulcanizable ("RTV") and may be color coded to readily indicate to the operator the successive stages in the innoculation or other treatment of the tree.The needle is closely guided through the RTV by means of a restricted diameter bore and counterbore in the cartridge, and the liquid is injected into the cartridge and flows out the forward open end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge comprises a rifle cartridge from which the primer has been removed. The cartridge is rugged and reliable, inexpensive, and may be driven into the tree trunk by a hammering action.In an alternate method, adapted for small diameter trees, the open end of the cartridge is secured to one end of a flexible tube, and the other end of the tube is connected to the free end of a accessible root of the tree. The connections are made by respective hose clamps. The flexible tube acts as a reservoir from which the root may "feed" as desired.