Root ball watering device

In accordance with the present invention a piece of perforated tubing is formed into a series of loops which define a generally truncated shape with at least one large diameter loop at the top and at least one smaller diameter loop located below the top loop. The tubing has sufficient strength and is wound into a contour shape to fit around the root ball of a tree or shrub harvested from a nursery. Ther perforated tubing includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings of a size sufficient to supply water and/or fertilizer to the root ball after the root ball is planted in the ground. Means are provided to maintain the tubing in the truncated shape. In one embodiment this shape comprises a series of specially fixed wound loops. In one embodiment this comprises formed loops with six connection points where the loops contact one another. Means are provided for supplying water and/or fertilizer to the tubing after the root ball has been planted. This may comprise an extension extending from the tubing to point at ground level where a suitable hose connection is provided to supply water and/or fertilizer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention a piece of perforated tubing is 
formed into a series of loops which define a gererally truncated shape 
with a least one large diameter loop at the top and at least one smaller 
diameter loop located below the top loop. The tubing has sufficient 
strength and is wound into a contour shape to fit around the root ball of 
a tree or shrub harvested from a nursery. The perforated tubing includes a 
plurality of longitudinally spaced openings of a size sufficient to supply 
water and/or fertilizer to the root ball after the root ball is planted in 
the ground. Means are provided to maintain the tubing in the truncated 
shape. In one embodiment this shape comprises a series specially fixed 
wound loops. In one embodiment this comprises formed loops with six 
connection points where the loops contact one another. Means are provided 
for supplying water and/or fertilizer to the tubing after the root ball 
has been planted. This may comprise an extension extending from the tubing 
to point at ground level where a suitable hose connection is provided to 
supply water and/or fertilizer. 
In one embodiment at the connection points, means are provided for mounting 
the multi-loop shape. This may comprise strings, straps, stitches, threads 
or mechanical fasteners to maintain the adjacent loop portion in 
engagement. 
In another embodiment the loops which define the truncated shape are 
attached to burlap or other flexible material which form the root ball 
with fastening means such as thread, stitching or mechanical fasteners at 
selected points along the burlap conduit interface. 
The loops are moveable into a retracted collapsed position for 
transportation and/or storage of the loops without the root ball. 
BACKGROUND 
When a young tree or shrub is harvested from a tree nursery the roots are 
usually contained within a piece of burlap material which is connected at 
the top of the roots with suitable clips or fasteners to hold the roots or 
root ball in place. 
In application Ser. No. 747,261 filed June 21, 1985 a water basket for 
watering or fertilizing tree and shrub roots is disclosed including at 
least one and preferably a plurality of hollow, relatively rigid circular 
rings to apply water and/or fertilizer to the root ball through openings 
provided in the ring, and to support the root ball during transportation 
of the root ball prior to planting. Embodiments including a plurality of 
rings are preferred because of more efficient watering and fertilizing of 
the root ball, and better support of the root ball during transportation. 
In constructing a unit including a plurality of rings joined together by 
vertical support members at least one of the vertical members must carry 
water between the rings. 
Fabrication of the arrangement with a plurality of rings was found to be 
more difficult and expensive than had originally been expected.

DECRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In Figure (1) the water loop assembly of the present invention is 
illustrated at (10) comprising a piece of hollow tubing (2). The hollow 
tubing includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings (4) provided 
for the purpose of providing water or fertilizer to the root ball after 
the tree is planted. 
The tubing is preferably relatively rigid, and may be formed from polyvinyl 
cloride, ADS, polyethylene, polypropylene or other plastic tubing or 
fiberglass suitable for molding, thermoforming, extruding or casting. The 
size of the openings (4) will vary for different applications. However, 
opening sizes of 1/32 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch are contemplated for 
many applications. Spacing as close as to 1/4 of an inch may be used for 
some applications, in other cases spacing up to 12 inches may be 
appropriate. 
The tubing (2) is formed into a series of loops (8) to define a truncated 
shape. Loop (11) extends from point (21) outwardly to point (22) and 
downwardly into a second loop (12) at point (23). Loop (12) extends from 
point (23) around the base for 360 degrees into a third loop (13) at point 
(23). Loop (13) extends from point (23) upwardly to point (22) and 
outwardly into a fourth loop (14) at point (21). Loop (14) extends from 
point (21) downwardly to point (24) and upwardly into the first loop at 
point (21). 
A suitable conduit portion which includes a connection for providing means 
to connect a water source is provided at (35). 
The present invention further includes means for maintaining the tubing in 
the truncated shape. This means indicated generally at (20) comprised of 
connections at point (21), (22), (23), (24), (25), and (26) where the 
loops cross each other or are tangent to each other. The connecting means 
may comprise of stitches, straps, or other mechanical fasteners to 
maintain the respective portions of the loops in their respective 
positions. 
The mechanical fasteners (20) must have sufficient strength to withstand 
the weight of the ball as the root ball is handled between the nursery 
where it is harvested and where it is planted in the ground. Gradually the 
burlap or other material surrounding the ball at the nursery will rot in 
the ground. However, the flexible tubing is made of sufficiently 
non-corrosive material that it will last during at least the first several 
years that the tree or shrub is planted. Therefore, during these initial 
years of formation the tree or shrub may be watered or fertilized on a 
regular basis by appropriate connection of the source of the water or 
fertilizer to the connection (35). 
The perforated tubing (2) should have sufficient strength and rigidity that 
an attendant may lift the entire ball by grasping the upper portion of the 
tubing (14). 
In order to provide efficient support it is preferred that the tubing be 
formed into a structure including smaller diameter rings at the bottom and 
larger rings at the top. Thus it is preferred that the tubing follow a 
truncated ring structure. 
This provides an arrangement whereby the root ball is effectively supported 
in transit, and whereby the root ball is effectively watered or fertilized 
after it is planted in the ground. It is preferred to provide the water 
loop truncated shape illustrated effective support for the root ball and 
to provide effective relatively uniform distribution after the tree or 
shrub is planted. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the transportation and storage position within a 
conventional clear plastic envelope 37 having a seam 39.