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Hardwoods are treated using the Direct-Inject QC™ injection unit with a Wedgle® Tip, the WedgeChek™ Punch, and WedgeCheks™. The patented Wedgle Tip has a wedge-shaped end and is inserted through the bark until it rests against the outer ring of the sapwood. The Wedgle Tip allows chemical to be placed where it can most easily be absorbed by the tree—in the cambial zone between the bark and outer ring of sapwood (the xylem).
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Step 1: Select the correct length tip. |
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The standard .75" Wedgle Tip is used for most hardwood trees; the longer 1.5" tip is for thick-barked trees such as elms
and eucalyptus.
Insert a short Wedgle Tip in a fissure (valley) of the bark until you feel resistance of the tip as it reaches sapwood. If you do not feel the tip reach the wood, switch to the longer Wedgle Tip. |
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Step 2: Attach a Wedgle injection tip to the front QC coupler |
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by sliding back the coupler and inserting the tip hub. Release to lock the tip in place. Be sure to position the tip so the small hole on the barrel of the tip is directed upward. Slide the deflector shield over the tip, until positioned snugly against the hub. |
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Step 3: Remove a bark core. |
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Insert the WedgeChek Punch into the tree and rotate the punch in both clockwise and counterclockwise motions. Withdraw the punch with a straight motion removing a small core of bark from the tree. Remove the punch and squeeze the trigger to remove the bark core from the punch into the palm of your hand. Examine the core to make sure the entire core has been removed. If part of the core remains in the tree, the WedgeChek may not seat properly. Reinsert the punch to remove the remaining core or repeat the procedure
at a new location.
Note: Avoid moving the punch side to side or up and down as this may enlarge the hole in the bark and cause the WedgeChek to not seat firmly.
Notes on treating thin-barked trees
- Chemical retention is improved when injections are made through the thickest available bark, generally found around the flare or base of the tree.
- On thin-barked or small-diameter trees, you may find it necessary to reduce the amount of chemical per injection and increase the number of injection sites.
- Do not be concerned if the WedgeChek does not fully insert into the bark—barbs will hold the WedgeChek in place.
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Step 4: Insert a WedgeChek |
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Into the site where bark core has been removed. Place the WedgeChek on the protruding pin on the handle of the WedgeChek Punch, then insert the WedgeChek directly into the punched site until the WedgeChek flange is flush with the outer bark of the tree. The barbs on the WedgeChek will secure it in the bark.
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Step 5: Slide the Wedgle tip through the WedgeChek |
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and bark with a straight, gentle motion until you feel resistance of the tip meeting sapwood. Do not jab the Wedgle Tip into a tree, as tip may bend or break.
Do not force the tip into the sapwood. Only moderate hand pressure is needed. If the correct tip length was selected, it will usually be inserted no more than three-quarters of the length of the tip.
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Step 6: Squeeze both handles of the injector |
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at the same time, using a smooth, firm motion. This places a pre-measured dose of chemical into the cambial zone between the bark and the outer ring of xylem, where it can easily be absorbed. Apply equal pressure on both handles—unequal pressure may bend or break the tip. Follow chemical label instructions to determine correct dosage.
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The ArborSystems Direct-Inject QC unit is preset to release
a 1 ml dose of chemical with each full stroke of the handles.
If you desire to inject a .5 ml dose of chemical, move the dose adjustment ring (see parts illustration #25) to the .5 ml dose adjustment groove (see #52). This will limit the handle stroke so the unit will release a .5 ml dose of chemical.
Avoiding chemical waste. Any time you remove a chemical pack (after making injections), there is approximately 2.5 ml of chemical remaining in the
injection unit. To not waste this chemical, remove the chemical pack before making your final injections. You will be able to make two additional 1 ml
injections (or four or five .5 ml injections) with the chemical remaining in the
injection unit.
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Step 7: Slowly remove the Wedgle Tip from the tree. |
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The self-sealing WedgeChek plugs the hole. Repeat these steps while moving around the flare of the tree. Follow chemical label directions to determine correct dosage and number of
injection sites. Leave the WedgeCheks in the tree. Tree growth will eventually push the WedgeCheks out.
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Successfully injecting hardwoods
For most trees, injections made at the flare or base of the tree are preferable. Here are several reasons why:
- When controlling cambial feeding borers, it is crucial that injection occurs in the flare, so the entire trunk is treated.
- Injecting greater volumes of chemical such as fungicides is easier.
- Chemical is distributed more evenly throughout the tree.
- If any sap bleeding or chemical seepage occurs, it is less visible at the base of the tree.
- For tough-barked trees, such as Hackberry and Hickory, the flare offers a more pliable area of injection.
- Injection holes seal more quickly.
Timing of applications:
Spring through late summer is the ideal time for injecting hardwoods. The bark needs to be pliable, and that depends on the growing season. Injections too early or too late in the season may not be absorbed because of slow or no translocation occurring in the tree. Read and follow chemical label instructions.
For service assistance, contact your distributor or call ArborSystems. |
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