Tree Trunk Injection Therapy
The active compound delivered straight into the tree's vascular system — no spraying, no drift.
Service overview
Trunk injection was developed in Spain roughly two decades ago and is now used in more than 20 countries. Instead of spraying the canopy — where much of the solution is lost to soil and air — the active compound enters the xylem through a pressurised capsule and is distributed throughout the tree by the sap stream.
The operation begins with precise drilling at a defined height on the trunk. Bore diameter and depth are set by species and trunk diameter so that tissue damage stays minimal. A pressurised capsule is then fitted and the active compound — a micronutrient, a systemic insecticide or a fungicide — is injected. Depending on conditions, the capsule empties in anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
The method's central advantage is precision. In conventional spraying only a small fraction of the product reaches its target; the rest settles on soil, evaporates, or drifts onto neighbouring land. With trunk injection practically all of it enters the plant, which is why both active-ingredient and water use fall by roughly half.
It is the first choice for tall, heavy-canopied trees — plane, pine, palm, walnut — where full canopy coverage is effectively impossible, and for urban landscapes where spray drift over pedestrians is unacceptable. The injection point is sealed with a dedicated paste and callouses over completely within one or two growing seasons.
Benefits
- Around 50% less water and active ingredient
- Spray drift and surrounding soil contamination eliminated
- Safe for honeybees and other beneficial insects
- Effective on tall trees that cannot realistically be sprayed
- Longer persistence through the growing season
- Reusable capsules and less waste
How it runs
Tree assessment
Identify the causal agent, check trunk condition and set the dose from trunk diameter.
Precision drilling
Bore to a standard diameter and depth at a defined height above ground.
Fit and inject
Fit the pressurised capsule and inject until it empties fully.
Seal and follow up
Seal the entry point and revisit to evaluate the tree's response.
Common questions about this service
Does trunk injection damage the tree?
Any hole in a trunk is a wound, but when standard diameter and depth are respected and tools are clean, a healthy tree callouses over completely within one or two growing seasons. Trees with extensive trunk decay or a very small diameter are not suitable candidates, and we screen those out at the initial assessment.
How long does a single injection last?
It depends on the compound and the tree species. Nutritional compounds typically cover one growing season, systemic insecticides one to two. The repeat schedule for your specific case is defined and communicated at the initial assessment.
Is trunk injection more expensive than spraying?
A single injection usually costs more than a single spray round, but the correct comparison is per season, not per round. Counting the smaller number of rounds, lower active-ingredient use and the water and labour costs avoided, annual cost comes out lower on many projects — particularly for tall trees.
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Learn moreNeed advice on this service?
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