Method and apparatus for selectively preventing or permitting systemic sap flow to control bud formation
First Claim
1. Method for preventing premature bud formation in a tree when its dormancy is interrupted by unseasonably warm weather which would promote flow of tree sap and consequently premature formation of buds which upon resumption of cold weather would be subjected to kill back and result in severe damage to the tree, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) cutting all around and through the bark and sap-carrying cells of a tree to the outer edge around the tree'"'"'s heartwood;
(b) interposing means within the area between the cut portions of sap-carrying cells which may be selectively conditioned to prevent or permit sap-flow communication between the remains of the cut portions of sap-carrying cells; and
(c) sealing the periphery of the tree in the area around the cut with grafting tar to inhibit loss of sap.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for mechanically selectively preventing or permitting systemic sap flow in trees to prevent premature out-of-season bud formation, particularly in fruit trees, when unreasonably warm spells would promote flow of tree sap and consequently formation of premature buds which in the ordinary course of event will suffer kill back and result in serious tree damage upon reversion to normally cold weather, the method comprising cutting all around the body of a tree at a selected section from the bark to around the outer edge of heartwood; inserting at least a pair of perforated members in the cut area to both prevent healing and closing of the cut and to permit flow of sap when desired and at least a pair of members for cooperation with the perforated members to permit flow of sap through the perforations thereof or to block up the perforations to prevent flow of sap therethrough. The apparatus for controlling bud formation comprises at least a pair of hinged units having perforations therethrough and a pair of members selectively conditioned to prevent or permit flow communication of sap through the perforations and between sap-carrying cells of the tree to thereby control bud formation.
2 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Method for preventing premature bud formation in a tree when its dormancy is interrupted by unseasonably warm weather which would promote flow of tree sap and consequently premature formation of buds which upon resumption of cold weather would be subjected to kill back and result in severe damage to the tree, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
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(a) cutting all around and through the bark and sap-carrying cells of a tree to the outer edge around the tree'"'"'s heartwood; (b) interposing means within the area between the cut portions of sap-carrying cells which may be selectively conditioned to prevent or permit sap-flow communication between the remains of the cut portions of sap-carrying cells; and (c) sealing the periphery of the tree in the area around the cut with grafting tar to inhibit loss of sap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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- 5. Apparatus for preventing premature bud formation comprising at least two arcuate units adapted to be interposed in a generally horizontal section cut around the periphery of a tree and into an area around the outer edge of heartwood of the tree, each of said units including perforated means permitting sap-flow communication between sap-carrying cells if desired and means which may be selectively conditioned to block perforations of said perforated means to prevent sap-flow communication or to be clear of the perforations of said perforated means to permit sap-flow communication between sap-carrying cells through said perforated means.
Specification