www.greenmediaonline.com Green Media / August 2014 9
Application technology
The technological advancement of chemical formulations
has been evolving hand-in-hand with the equipment used to
apply them. It wasn't that long ago when all tree health care
application devices looked like they were cobbled together
from hardware store surplus. More application devices are
available today for tree care than ever before, and are being
designed better all the time. The fi rst generation of tree in-
jection equipment was focused on getting the treatments
into the tree and that's about it. Devices today are being
designed for ergonomics, ease of use, and safety of the ap-
plicator from start to fi nish, including how easily they are
cleaned back at the shop.
Tree injection is not the only application method that
has benefi ted from technological advances. Soil injection
probes used to only rely on digital fl ow meters, which have
their advantages for effi cacy but have their drawbacks in
accuracy. Newer devices function similar to a hypodermic
needle where a precise dose can be administered every time.
Spray application equipment was formerly attached to heavy
trucks that could be used for only the purpose of spraying.
New versions are mounted on removable bracket systems
that allow you to use a pick up as a spray rig when needed,
or remove it and have another truck available when it is not.
Modifi able systems like this are a popular trend with tree
service companies for good reason, they are less expensive
and more fl exible, which, in the end, makes them more prof-
itable as well.
As you can see, technology for tree care comes in many
forms. Technology is not just computers and phones, but
the tools we use every day to get to the trees and perform
our work. The most important advancement in tree care
is not a single device, tool or application we use, but our
knowledge of how and when to use it. Although there are
undoubtedly more tools and knowledge available to arbor-
ists now than at any point in history, arboriculture is still
an evolving science. New, of course, does not always mean
better; so it is on us as an industry to constantly demand
that new advances are backed by solid research before we
adopt them. Better science equals better technology equals
better tree care. ■
Brandon Gallagher Watson is creative director at Rainbow Treecare
Scientifi c Advancements, and is an ISA Certifi ed Arborist (#MN-
4086A).
