www.arborage.com Arbor Age / September 2014 29
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 ap-
plication 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 bet-
ter all the time. The fi rst generation of tree injection 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 applicator 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 applica-
tion 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 profi table 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 avail-
able to arborists 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. Bet-
ter 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).
M A R K E T P L A C E