Tree I.V. - Self-Contained Watering System for Young Trees

Tree I.V. Advantages

Speed - With a Tree I.V. system installed at each tree, it's possible to finish watering in less than 1 minute per tree. Why? Because that's how long it take to fill them. Once filled, you're free to go. Compare that to hose-fed root feeders, soaker hoses, and even drip bags, and you'll understand what we're talking about.
Flexibility - While small trees can be watered at the base, larger trees should be watered out around the drip line. Why? To promote stabilizing outward growth of the root system. Tree I.V. can be easily installed in either location, giving it a distinct advantage over drip bags and rings.
Portability - Not all trees can be reached with a water hose. For this situation, Tree I.V. offers a unique feature of Plug-Fill-Tote. The Reservoir can be plugged, filled, and transported to remote locations, where it can be set in place for instant watering. This is not possible with any other watering product.
Consistency - Ever wonder how much water you're putting on? This is a problem with any hose-fed method. With Tree I.V. 5-gallon Reservoir, you always know.
Conservation - 5 gallons will completely soak the root well of small trees. Why use 20 gallons with drip bags? Larger trees can be watered at the drip line to promote outward root growth. This is not possible with trunk mounted drip bags.
Subsurface watering - Tree I.V. bypasses the surface, soaking the root well beneath the mulch. This is important because it discourages surface root development while encouraging deeper development. This is an advantage offered only by root feeder products.
Self-Monitoring - Once Tree I.V. is filled, your presence is no longer required. The Reservoir will empty at the percolation rate of your soil. This can be as fast as 5 minutes or as slow as hours. Hose-fed products must be monitored and moved periodically.
Natural - Tree I.V. uses a combination of gravity and soil percolation rate. Hose-fed root feeders force water into the root well, which can cause unwanted air pockets to form.
Nutrients - The open top Reservoir of a Tree I.V. system is perfect for adding correct concentrations of liquid fertilizers and soil conditioners. It's not this easy with hose-fed feeders. Nutrients are also delivered deep, which cannot be assured with drip bags.

Tree I.V. Theory of Operation

The root well of a tree is the area that was excavated when the tree was planted. Containing both the root ball and a backfill of soil, this will be the first destination of new root growth. Small trees that have been hand planted will usually have a root well of 5 to 6 cubic feet. This area needs a good soaking on a weekly basis.

Using a general rule that says a gallon of water soaks a cubic foot of soil, 5 to 6 gallons of water is adequate. This assumes a regular watering schedule, and that ALL of the water reaches the root well.

The Tree I.V. design offers this important efficiency, with a convenient 5-gal container that eliminates the guesswork. One Tree I.V. will work for a small tree. For larger trees, you may consider three units placed equally around the drip line. It's simple. It works.

Tree I.V. Design

Tree I.V. Injector

The injector is like a straw that connects the reservoir to the ground. The outlet holes are large and plentiful so clogging is not a problem. Total depth is 9" with holes ranging from 3" to 8" below the shoulder.

The 3" shoulder is a depth limiter, but it also provides a ground seal that keeps water from resurfacing. The tapered body allows for easy installation anytime, and the blunt tip helps prevent root damage.

Included with each injector is a snap-on cap. It keeps debris from entering the injector when not in use, and serves as an impact surface during installation.

The injector is extremely durable. The wall thicknesses are 1/8" and the material is UV resistant HDPE.

Key Benefits:

No run-off. Water never contacts the soil surface.
Deep-root watering. Promotes deeper root development.
Maximum flow rate. Flow is not controlled by the injector, but by the percolation rate of the soil.

Tree I.V. Reservoir

With a 5-gallon capacity, the reservoir holds enough water to saturate the root well of small trees and shrubs. The large open top makes it easy to fill, and easy to add nutrients or soil amendments. The injector mating point is located close to the side of the reservoir so the injector can be closer to the tree, and to make connecting and disconnecting easier.

The design of the mating point includes a durable rubber grommet. The grommet and injector are properly sized to provide a good seal while remaining easy to slide on and off. Please note: Minimal leakage is still possible at mating location.

Optional features include a hole plug and a lid. Used for transporting water to remotely located trees, the plug will close the hole and the lid will stop water from splashing out the top. Lids can also be used to keep debris out.

Like the injector, the reservoir is durable and UV resistant HDPE. The rubber grommet is durable as well, but can be replaced in the event of failure or loss.

Be sure to carefully line up mating parts. Misalignment can push the grommet out of the hole.

Key Benefits:

One-minute fill. Saves your time.
Self-regulating. Your presence is not required.
Conserves water. Efficiently uses every drop, requiring much less from the hose.
Fertilizing easy. Add liquid nutrients and soil amendments during a normal watering
Portable. Quickly connects and disconnects.
Optional plug and lid for transporting full reservoirs to remotely located trees.
Easily stackable. Uses minimal storage space.

Build Your Own Reservoir

If you already have a supply of 5-gallon buckets, a drill, and a 1.25" hole cutting bit, you can easily create your own Tree I.V. Reservoir. We offer a Build Your Own System kit that includes a Rubber Grommet and a Tree I.V. Injector.

Turn your bucket upside down
Index the bucket so the handle connections are on the sides (handle is facing you)
Measure and mark a spot on the bottom of the bucket that is 1" from the bottom lip
Carefully drill a 1.25" hole. The best is a $75 Unibit, a $15 Forstner bit works well, and with great care, a $2 paddle bit will work.
Insert the Rubber Grommet
Water your trees!

Tree I.V. Instructions

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SayeGrow LLC

20079 Ford Road, Cherryvale, KS, 67335, US

Phone: (620) 328-3473 Email: support@sayegrow.com