Patent Publication Number: US-2023138405-A1

Title: Pellet Insertion Apparatus and Related Methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     None. 
     STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates to pellet insertion apparatus and, in particular, to pellet insertion apparatus and related methods for inserting a plug into a tree to protect the tree against pests. The plug may be a slow-release biodegradable composite pesticide plug. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Tree fruit producers currently rely upon airblast ground sprayers to deliver pesticides to their orchards to control insect and disease pests. Unfortunately, airblast sprayers are a relatively inefficient means of delivering pesticides to their target, with only 29 to 56% of the applied spray solution being deposited on the tree canopy, and the remaining product drifting to ground or other off-target end points. Pest management inputs comprise 30% or more of the total annual variable costs in fruit production and they significantly influence marketable yield. Trunk injection represents an alternate technology for the delivery of pesticides to tree fruit crops. Arborists have developed a variety of techniques for injecting pesticides directly into tree trunks, which then can be translocated from the injection site to the canopy area of insect feeding or disease infection. This technology has been successfully used in protecting ash trees from the Emerald ash borer (EAB) in urban and suburban landscapes because of minimal risks of applicator exposure, drift and impacts on non-target organisms, and superior duration of control compared to foliar application. 
     The commercial ARBORJET QUIK-JET system relies upon drilling a hole in the trunk, and injecting a pesticide solution into the cavity, after which the xylem translocates the material to the tree canopy. The ARBORSYSTEMS WEDGLE drills a shallow hole into the tree trunk, and then makes a pressure injection of liquid solution into the cambial zone of the trunk. These types of injection techniques result in a temporally variable residue profile in the tree canopy, resulting in unnecessarily high doses of insecticide. Another trunk injection technology, the ACECAP Systemic Insecticide Tree Implant, inserts a capsule containing the pesticide into the tree trunk. After the pesticide is released, however, the capsule remains as a contaminant that hinders tree healing. Both of these commercial systems can cause unacceptable injury to the tree trunk, thus hindering potential adoption in the tree fruit industry. The commercial BITE-INFUSION system avoids drilling large holes in the tree by slowly infusing the pesticide into the trunk with a needle-based system and pressure. This system can require an inordinate amount of time to inject a single tree, thus lower its potential for use in a tree fruit orchard system. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a uniform dose of pesticide active ingredient to the tree throughout the growing season in a time- and labor-efficient manner which also enhances the healing of the tree after injection. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with a first example, a pellet insertion apparatus  100  for use with trees includes a housing  102 , a taper  108 , a lock  116 , and an actuator rod  118 . The housing  102  defines a guide bore  104  and a pellet orifice  106 . The pellet orifice  106  is coupled to the guide bore  104 . The taper  108  is movable between an extended position and a release position within the guide bore  104  and defines a through-bore  110 . The taper  108  includes a taper distal end  112  and a taper proximal end  114 . The taper distal end  112  is adapted to penetrate a trunk of a tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to xylem tissue of the tree for pellet insertion. The lock  116  is coupled to the housing  102  and is adapted to secure the taper  108  in the extended position. The actuator rod  118  is movable within the through-bore  110  between an extended position, a retracted position, and a plug insertion position. The actuator rod  118  has a rod distal portion  120 , a rod central portion  122 , and a rod proximal portion  124 . The rod distal portion  120  is adapted to extend from the taper distal end  112  when the actuator rod  118  is in the extended position. The rod distal portion  120  in the extended position is adapted to penetrate the trunk of the tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to the xylem tissue of the tree for pellet insertion. The actuator rod  118  in the retracted position is retracted such that the pellet insertion apparatus  100  is adapted to receive a pellet via the pellet orifice  106  into the through-bore  110 . Movement of the actuator rod  118  between the retracted position and the plug insertion position is adapted to insert a received pellet in the through-bore  110  into the tree, when the taper  108  is secured in the extended position in the tree. 
     In accordance with a second example, a pellet insertion apparatus  100  for use with trees includes a housing  102 , a taper  108 , an actuator rod  118 , and an actuator  126 . The housing  102  defines a guide bore  104  and a pellet orifice  106 . The pellet orifice  106  is coupled to the guide bore  104 . The taper  108  is movable within the guide bore  104  between an extended position and a release position and defines a through-bore  110 . The taper  108  includes a taper distal end  112  and a taper proximal end  114 . The taper distal end  112  is adapted to penetrate a trunk of a tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to xylem tissue of the tree for pellet insertion. The actuator rod  118  is movable within the through-bore  110  between an extended position, a retracted position, and a plug insertion position. The actuator rod  118  has a rod distal portion  120  and a rod proximal portion  124 . The rod distal portion  120  is adapted to extend from the taper distal end  112  when the actuator rod  118  is in the extended position. The actuator  126  is coupled to the actuator rod  118  and is adapted to actuate the actuator rod  118  between the extended position, the retracted position, and the plug insertion position. The rod distal portion  120  in the extended position is also adapted to penetrate the trunk of the tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to xylem tissue of the tree for pellet insertion. The actuator rod  118  in the retracted position is retracted such that the pellet insertion apparatus  100  is adapted to receive a pellet via the pellet orifice  106  into the through-bore  110 . Movement of the actuator rod  118  between the retracted position and the plug insertion position is adapted to insert a received pellet in the through-bore  110  into the tree, when the taper  108  is secured in the extended position in the tree. 
     In accordance with a third example, a method of inserting a pellet or plug in a tree includes extending a taper  108  and an actuator rod  118  into a tree. The taper  108  and the actuator rod  118  penetrate a trunk of the tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to xylem tissue of the tree. The actuator rod  118  is positioned within a through-bore  110  of the taper  108  and extends from a taper distal end  112 . The method includes securing the taper  108  in the extended position within the tree. The method includes retracting the actuator rod  118 . The method includes loading a pellet or plug into the through-bore  110  of the taper  108 . The method includes moving the actuator rod  118  to a plug insertion position, thereby inserting the pellet into the tree. The method can further include retracting the taper  108  from the tree, thereby leaving the pellet inserted in the tree. The method can be performed using the pellet insertion apparatus  100  according to any of the variously disclosed examples herein. 
     In further accordance with the foregoing first, second and/or third examples, an apparatus and/or method may further include any one or more of the following: 
     In accordance with one example, the apparatus further includes an actuator  126  coupled to the actuator rod  118  and adapted to actuate the actuator rod  118  between the extended position, the retracted position, and the plug insertion position. 
     In accordance with another example, the lock  116  is further adapted to secure the taper  108  in the release position. 
     In accordance with another example, the rod central portion  122  includes a release flange  128 . The release flange  128  is adapted to engage the taper proximal end  114  to move the taper  108  toward the extended position. The release flange  128  is further adapted to engage the lock  116  to release the taper  108  from being secured in the extended position. 
     In accordance with another example, the lock  116  includes at least two (e.g., a pair of) spring-biased arms  130  rotatably coupled to opposing sides  132 ,  134  of the housing  102  and having inward facing teeth  136 . 
     In accordance with another example, the taper proximal end  114  includes a taper catch  138 . The arms  130  are adapted to interface with the taper catch  138  to secure the taper  108  in the extended position. 
     In accordance with another example, the release flange  128 , via the actuator rod  118 , is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the release flange  128  is passable between the arms  130  to engage the taper catch  138  and move the taper  108  toward the extended position. In the second position, the release flange  128  is adapted to engage and outwardly move the arms  130  to release the taper  108  from the extended position. 
     In accordance with another example, the taper distal end  112  includes a chisel-shaped portion  140 . 
     In accordance with another example, a spring  142  is positioned to bias the taper  108  away from the extended position. 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes a base  127 , a handle  200 , and tires  202 . The tires  202  and the handle  200  are coupled to the base  127 . 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes a pair of brackets  206  to which a strap is adapted to be coupled to secure the pellet insertion apparatus  100  to the tree. 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes an actuator shaft  150  coupled to and actuatable by the actuator  126 . The actuator shaft  150  extending in an opposite direction relative to the actuator rod  118 . 
     In accordance with another example, the actuator  126  includes a first actuator end  152  and a second actuator end  154 . The actuator rod  118  extending from the first actuator end  152 . The actuator shaft  150  extending from the second actuator end  154 . Further including a stop  156  coupled adjacent to the second actuator end  154 . 
     In accordance with another example, the actuator shaft  150  has a distal shaft end  158  and a central shaft portion  160  carrying a stroke-distance control flange  162 . The stroke-distance control flange  162 , via the actuator shaft  150 , is rotatable between the first position and the second position. In the first position, the stroke-distance control flange  162  is passable between the stop  156  to move the rod distal portion  120  to extend from the taper  108 . In the second position, the stroke-distance control flange  162  to engage the stop  156  to limit forward movement of the rod distal portion  120  relative to the taper  108 . 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes a gear assembly  164  adapted to rotate the actuator shaft  150  between the first position and the second position. 
     In accordance with another example, the gear assembly  164  includes a first bevel gear  174  and a second bevel gear  176 . The first bevel gear  174  surrounds and rotates with the actuator shaft  150 . The second bevel gear  176  is arranged to interface with and rotate the first bevel gear  174 . 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes a pivot  166  including a first pivot portion end  168  and a second pivot portion end  170 . The rod distal portion  120  is adapted to engage the first pivot portion end  168 . The second pivot portion end  170  is adapted to interface with the gear assembly  164  to rotate the actuator shaft  150 . 
     In accordance with another example, a spring  172  is coupled to the pivot  166  and is arranged to bias the first pivot portion end  168  toward the distal rod portion  120 . 
     In accordance with another example, a pusher shaft  178  is coupled to the second pivot portion end  170  and a ratchet  180  is coupled to rotate with the second bevel gear  176 . The pusher shaft  178  is adapted to interface with and correspondingly rotate the ratchet  180  in a first direction. 
     In accordance with another example, a cam  183  is coupled to rotate with the ratchet  180  and a follower  184  is adapted to follow the cam  183 . An interaction between the follower  184  and the cam  183  is to prevent rotation of the cam  183  in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes a wall  186  defining a through-bore  188  and a gear assembly shaft  190  extending through the through-bore  188 . The second bevel gear  176 , the ratchet  180 , and the cam  183  are coupled to rotate with the gear assembly shaft  190 . The follower  184  is rotatably coupled to the wall  186 . 
     In accordance with another example, the apparatus further includes a pair of spaced apart mounts  192 ,  194 . Each mount  192 ,  194  defines a through-bore  196 ,  198 . The actuator shaft  150  is journaled within the corresponding through-bores  196 ,  198 . 
     In accordance with another example, further including a base  127  to which the housing  102  is coupled. The base  127  includes a pair of fork pockets  206 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a pellet insertion apparatus in accordance with a first example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top isometric view of the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a detailed top isometric view of a front portion of the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1    showing the taper and the actuator rod in the extended position. 
         FIG.  4    is a detailed top isometric view of the front portion of the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1    showing the taper and the actuator rod in the retracted position. 
         FIG.  5    is a detailed top isometric view of a rear portion of the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a detailed top isometric view of the rear portion of the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1    showing the stroke-distance control flange engaging the stop. 
         FIG.  7    is an isometric front view of a vehicle including the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    is an isometric view of another vehicle including the pellet insertion apparatus of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the following text discloses a detailed description of example methods, apparatus and/or articles of manufacture, it should be understood that the legal scope of the property right is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. Accordingly, the following detailed description is to be construed as examples only and does not describe every possible example, as describing every possible example would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative examples could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent. It is envisioned that such alternative examples would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
     The examples disclosed herein relate to a pellet or plug insertion apparatus for use with trees. As used herein, “pellet” and “plug” are generally synonymously used to describe a structure, typically having a cylindrical or rod-like shape, that contains an active ingredient for promoting tree health and that releases the active ingredient once inserted into a tree trunk. The example pellet insertion apparatus uses a taper and an actuator rod to penetrate the tree and thereafter insert a pellet into the tree. The taper and the actuator rod may be adapted to be inserted into the tree a threshold amount. Thus, pellets may be inserted into different trees at a similar or the same depth. After pellet insertion, the taper and actuator rod are retracted such that the actuator rod holds the pellet in place when the taper initially retracts. For example, once the taper retracts beyond the pellet length, the actuator rod can be withdrawn (e.g., in combination with further taper retraction) with the pellet remaining in its inserted position. 
     In some examples, the taper may be chisel shaped and may be inserted into the tree along the grain of the tree. As a result, the pellet insertion apparatus are adapted to quickly insert the pellet into the tree with minimal injury to the tree. 
     The pellet may be designed such that, after insertion into the tree, it provides a controlled release of active ingredients in both in terms of spatial distribution in the tree canopy and also temporal duration across the length of the growing season. The pellet may be a slow- or timed-release pellet or plug delivering any desired active ingredient to tree tissues, for example a pesticide or insecticide plug. Other types of pellets may prove suitable. Examples of such active ingredients can include any of the various plant protection materials know in the art for promoting tree health, such as materials which kill or inactivate tree pests, increase a tree&#39;s resistance to pests, and/or promote tree growth, for example including pesticides, biopesticides, plant growth regulators, and fertilizers, etc. Wise et al. WO 2018/169904 provides a description of suitable plugs for delivering pesticides and other active ingredients, and it is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a pellet insertion apparatus  100  in accordance with a first example of the present disclosure. In the example shown, the pellet insertion apparatus  100  includes a housing  102  defining a guide bore  104  and a pellet orifice  106  (the pellet orifice  106  is more clearly shown in  FIG.  2   ). The pellet orifice  106  is coupled to the guide bore  104 . 
     The pellet orifice  106  may be a slot that is positioned approximately 90 degrees relative to the guide bore  104 . The coupling between the pellet orifice  106  and the guide bore  104  allows a pellet (not shown) to be loaded into the guide bore  104 . 
     A cross-section of the pellet orifice  106  may be oblong or may otherwise correspond to a shape of the pellet. In some examples, the pellet is fed into the pellet orifice  106  by an operator. In another example, a hopper (not shown) coupled to the pellet insertion apparatus  100  feeds a pellet orifice  106 . 
     The pellet insertion apparatus  100  includes a taper  108 . The taper  108  is movable between an extended position and a release position within the guide bore  104 .  FIGS.  1  and  3    illustrate the taper  108  in the extended position. In the extended position, the taper  108  extends from a front face  111  of the housing  102 . In the retracted position, the taper  108  may not substantially extend from the front face  111  of the housing  102  and/or the taper  108  may be flush relative to the flush face  111  (see, for example,  FIGS.  7  and  8   ). 
     In the example shown, the taper  108  defines a through-bore  110 . The taper  108  also includes a taper distal end  112  and a taper proximal end  114 . The taper distal end  112  is adapted to penetrate a trunk of a tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to xylem tissue of the tree. Penetrating the tree with the taper  108  and actuator rod  118  (described below) allows for the pellet to later to be inserted within the tree. Put another way, the taper  108  and the actuator rod  118  penetrate the trunk of a tree, and extend far enough into the xylem tissue for plug placement. In particular, forward motion of the taper  108  and the actuator rod  118  together into the tree trunk provides a compressive force that displaces tree trunk tissues horizontally, so as to minimize injury to vertically-oriented vascular tissues, allowing recovery of the tree after the plug is inserted and the actuator is removed. In contrast to drilling or other more destructive methods for pellet insertion, the disclosed apparatus does not remove substantial amounts of tissue from the tree. This creates an open space within the tree interior for pellet insertion, in particular after retraction of the actuator rod  118  (described below) while maintain the taper  108  in an inserted position. 
     A lock  116  is coupled to the housing  102 . The lock  116  is adapted to secure the taper  108  in the extended position. The lock  116  may also be adapted to secure the taper  108  in the release position. The details of the lock  116  are further discussed below. 
     In the example shown, an actuator rod  118  is movable within the through-bore  110  between an extended position, a retracted position, and a plug insertion position. The actuator rod  118  has a rod distal portion  120 , a rod central portion  122 , and a rod proximal portion  124 . The rod distal portion  120  is adapted to extend from the taper distal end  112  when the actuator rod  118  is in the extended position. Thus, the rod distal portion  120  in the extended position is also adapted to penetrate the trunk of the tree and extend at least partially into or adjacent to the xylem tissue of the tree. Extending the actuator rod  118  from the through-bore  110  and the taper  108  substantially prevents particles of the tree from clogging the through-bore  110  when the taper  108  penetrates the trunk of the tree and extends at least partially into or adjacent to xylem tissue of the tree. Subsequent retraction of the actuator rod  118  provides space within the through-bore  110  and within the tree to receive and insert a pellet. 
     The actuator rod  118  in the retracted position is retracted such that the pellet insertion apparatus  100  is adapted to receive a pellet via the pellet orifice  106  into the through-bore  110 . Moreover, movement of the actuator rod  118  between the retracted position and the plug insertion position is adapted to insert a received pellet in the through-bore  110  into the tree, when the taper  108  is secured in the extended position in the tree. In the plug insertion position, the actuator rod  118  may extend partially forward with the difference between the extended position and the plug insertion position being, for example, a length of the plug. In some embodiments, when the taper  108  is retracted from its extended position after pellet insertion, the actuator rod  118  can remain in the pellet insertion position to hold the pellet in place. After the taper  108  retracts past the pellet insertion position of the actuator rod  118 , the taper  108  and rod  118  can be withdrawn together or separately while the pellet remains inserted in the tree. 
     An actuator  126  is coupled to the actuator rod  118 . The actuator  126  may be a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, etc. Other types of actuators may prove suitable. In the example shown, the actuator  126  is adapted to actuate the actuator rod  118  between the extended position, the retracted position, and the plug insertion position. 
       FIG.  2    is a top isometric view of the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1   . The housing  102  and the actuator  126  are shown coupled to a base  127 . 
     In the example shown, the rod central portion  122  includes a release flange  128 . The release flange  128  is adapted to engage the taper proximal end  114  to move the taper  108  toward the extended position. The release flange  128  is further adapted to engage the lock  116  to release the taper  108  from being secured in the extended position. 
     The lock  116  includes a pair of spring-biased arms  130 . The arms  130  are rotatably coupled to opposing sides  132 ,  134  of the housing  102  and have inward facing teeth  136 . When the release flange  128  is oriented vertically, the release flange  128  can pass between the arms  130  and engage and move the taper  108  forward. The taper proximal end  114  includes a taper catch  138 . The arms  130  are adapted to interface with the taper catch  138  to secure the taper  108  in the extended position. The extended position is when the taper  108  is moved forward relative to the housing  102  allowing the taper  108  to, for example, penetrate the tree. In the example shown, the teeth  136  are engaging with the taper catch  138  and are securing the taper  108  in the release position. 
     In operation, the release flange  128 , via the actuator rod  118 , is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the release flange  128  is passable between the arms  130  of the lock  116  to engage the taper catch  138  and move the taper  108  toward the extended position. In the second position, the release flange  128  is adapted to engage and outwardly move the arms  130  to release the taper  108  from the extended position. The release flange  128  may be vertically oriented in the first position and horizontally oriented in the second position. 
       FIG.  3    is a detailed top isometric view of a front portion of the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1    showing the taper  108  and the actuator rod  118  in the extended position. The release flange  128  is shown in the first position engaging the taper proximal end  114  and urging the taper  108  in a direction generally indicated by arrow  139 . 
     The taper distal end  112  includes a chisel-shaped portion  140  (the chisel-shaped portion  140  is more clearly shown in  FIG.  1   ). In some examples, the chisel-shaped portion  140  is vertically oriented to allow the chisel-shaped portion  140  to penetrate between the grains of the tree and reduce an amount of damage to the tree during the pellet-insertion process. The vertical, elongate orientation of the chisel portion  140  also generally aligns with the primary transport direction of internal tree transport tissues (e.g., xylem tissues), thus facilitating eventual release and transport of the pellet&#39;s active ingredient. The relative vertical orientation of the chisel portion  140  can be expressed as generally parallel to or aligned with the tree trunk, normal to the ground, and/or normal to a base or other support surface for the insertion apparatus  100 . 
       FIG.  4    is a detailed top isometric view of the front portion of the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1    showing the taper  108  and the actuator rod  118  in the retracted position. The release flange  128  is shown in the second position engaging the arms  130  and urging the arms  130  outwardly to release the taper  108 . The release position is when the taper  108  is moved rearward relative to the housing  102  allowing for the taper  108  to be, for example, withdrawn from the tree. 
     A spring  142  is positioned to bias the taper  108  away from the extended position. The spring  142  is positioned between a face  143  of the housing  102  and the taper catch  138 . The spring  142  urges the taper  108  in a direction opposite that represented by arrow  139 . 
       FIG.  5    is a detailed top isometric view of a rear portion of the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1   . In the example shown, an actuator shaft  150  is coupled to and actuatable by the actuator  126 . The actuator shaft  150  extends in an opposite direction relative to the actuator rod  118 . 
     The actuator  126  has a first actuator end  152  and a second actuator end  154 . The actuator rod  118  extends from the first actuator end  152  and the actuator shaft  150  extends from the second actuator end  154 . 
     The actuator rod  118  and the actuator shaft  150  may linearly move together. For example, movement of the actuator rod  118  in the direction generally indicated by the arrow  139  may move the actuator shaft  150  in the same direction. 
     The actuator rod  118  and the actuator shaft  150  may rotationally move together. For example, rotating the actuator shaft  150  ninety degrees may similarly rotate the actuator rod  118  ninety degrees. 
     In the example shown, a stop  156  is coupled adjacent to the second actuator end  154 . The stop  156  is coupled to the base  127 . The stop  156  is formed of a pair of L-shaped walls  157 . The L-shaped walls  157  open in a direction generally opposite the direction indicated by the arrow  139 . 
     The actuator shaft  150  has a distal shaft end  158  and a central shaft portion  160  carrying a stroke-distance control flange  162 . The stroke-distance control flange  162 , via the actuator shaft  150 , is rotatable between the first position and the second position. 
     In the first position, the stroke-distance control flange  162  is passable between the stop  156  to move the rod distal portion  120  to extend from the taper  108 . When the stroke-distance control flange  162  is in the first position, the release flange  128  is also in the first position. Put another way and based on the example shown, in the first position, the flanges  128 ,  162  are both vertically oriented to allow the stroke-distance control flange  162  to pass between the stop  156  and further in a direction generally indicated by arrow and to allow the release flange  128  to pass between the arms  130 . 
     In the second position, the stroke-distance control flange  162  engages the stop  156  to limit forward movement of the rod distal portion  120  relative to the taper  108 . In the second position, the flanges  128 ,  162  are both horizontally oriented to allow the stroke-distance control flange  162  to engage the stop  156  and to allow the release flange  128  to engage the arms  130  and thereafter release the taper  108  from the secured/forward position. 
     In the example shown, the pellet insertion apparatus  100  includes a gear assembly  164 . The gear assembly  164  is adapted to rotate the actuator shaft  150  between the first position and the second position. In the example shown, each time the actuator shaft  150  moves rearward, the gear assembly  164  is adapted to rotate the actuator shaft  150  approximately 90 degrees. However, the gear assembly  164  may be differently configured. 
     The gear assembly  164  includes a first bevel gear  174  and a second bevel gear  176 . The first bevel gear  174  surrounds and rotates with the actuator shaft  150  and the second bevel gear  176  is arranged to interface with and rotate the first bevel gear  174 . 
     A pivot  166  is provided including a first pivot portion end  168  and a second pivot portion end  170 . The pivot  166  is pivotably coupled to the base  127 . The rod distal portion  120  is adapted to engage the first pivot portion end  168  and the second pivot portion end  170  is adapted to interface with the gear assembly  164  to rotate the actuator shaft  150 . 
     A spring  172  is coupled to the pivot  166  and arranged to bias the first pivot portion end  168  toward the distal rod portion  120 . The spring  172  is a coil spring but other types of springs may be used. 
     In the example shown, a pusher shaft  178  is coupled to the second pivot portion end  170 . The pusher shaft  178  is coupled to the pivot  166  via a universal joint  179 . The universal joint  179  is a pivot joint. However, other types of couplings may prove suitable. 
     A ratchet  180  is coupled to rotate with the second bevel gear  176 . The pusher shaft  178  is adapted to interface with and correspondingly rotate the ratchet  180  in a first direction. 
     In the example shown, the ratchet  180  includes rearward facing teeth  181  that a pusher shaft end  182  engage with. Movement of the pusher shaft  178  in a direction generally indicated by arrow  139  allows the pusher shaft end  182  and one of the rearward facing teeth  181  to interface such that the ratchet  180  rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Movement of the ratchet  180  in a counterclockwise direction rotates the second bevel gear  176  in a counterclockwise direction. Based on the engagement between the bevel gears  174 ,  176 , movement of the second bevel gear  176  in the counterclockwise direction rotates the first bevel gear  174  and the actuator shaft  150  in the counter clockwise direction. Other arrangements may prove suitable. 
     A cam  183  is provided that is coupled to rotate with the ratchet  180 . A follower  184  is included that is adapted to follow the cam  183 . In the example shown, an interaction between the follower  184  and the cam  183  prevents rotation of the cam  183  in a second direction opposite the first direction. Specifically, the interaction between the follower  184  and the cam  183  prevents rearward rotation of the cam  183 , the ratchet  180 , the first bevel gear  174 , and the second bevel gear  176 . For example, when the actuator shaft  150  is in a forward position such as when the stroke-distance control flange  162  engages the stop  156  and the pusher shaft  178  is not urging the ratchet  180  forward as shown, the interaction between the follower  184  and the cam  183  deters rearward rotation of the cam  183  and the other components  180 , 174 , 176 . 
       FIG.  6    is a detailed top isometric view of a rear portion of the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1    showing the stroke-distance control flange  162  engaging the stop  156 . A wall  186  is provided that defines a through-bore  188 . The wall  186  is coupled to the base  127 . A gear assembly shaft  190  is shown extending through the through-bore  188  of the wall  186 . In the example shown, the second bevel gear  176 , the ratchet  180 , and the cam  183  are coupled to rotate with the gear assembly shaft  190 . The follower  184  is rotatably coupled to the wall  186   
     A pair of spaced apart mounts  192 ,  194  are included. Each mount  192 ,  194  defines a corresponding through-bore  196 ,  198 . The actuator shaft  150  is journaled within the corresponding through-bores  196 ,  198 . 
       FIG.  7    is an isometric front view of a vehicle  300  including the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1   . The vehicle  300  of  FIG.  7    may be referred to as a cart. In the example shown, the vehicle  300  includes a handle  200  and tires  202 . The tires  202  and the handle  200  are coupled to the base  127 . The pellet insertion apparatus  100  includes a pair of brackets  203 . In operation, a strap may be wrapped about the brackets  203  to secure the pellet insertion apparatus  100  to a tree. Thus, based on the coupling provided between the strap and the bracket  203 , when the taper  108  and the actuator rod  118  extend to penetrate the tree, the vehicle  300  remains relatively stationary and/or does not substantially move in a direction generally indicated by arrow  204 . 
       FIG.  8    is an isometric view of another vehicle  400  including the pellet insertion apparatus  100  of  FIG.  1   . The vehicle  400  is a fork truck. In the example shown, the base  127  includes a pair of brackets  206 . The brackets  206  are adapted to couple the base  127  to the vehicle  400 . The brackets  206  may be referred to as fork brackets. 
     As described above, the insertion apparatus  100  can be used to insert a pellet (or plug) into a tree, whereupon the pellet releases its active ingredient(s) into the tree. The plug according can be used to deliver a relatively uniform, consistent amount of its active component over time to tree tissue at or above the plug&#39;s point of insertion into the tree. By using the insertion apparatus, the plug is inserted into an interior region of a live tree (e.g., into the trunk, one or more branches, etc.), and then natural water and/or sap transport within the tree will release and deliver the active component from the plug. The length of the plug and its insertion depth into the trunk are generally selected to provide maximum exposure of the plug&#39;s outer surface area to active xylem and/or phloem tissues, which are immediately under the bark of the tree. Suitable depths can be determined by the skilled artisan based on the type and size of tree for injection. 
     The plug is generally inserted into a lower portion of the tree trunk, typically between the ground and the first set of scaffold limbs or branches above the ground. Injection at such point ensures that xylem transport of the active component will reach most or essentially all plant tissue above the insertion point, given that xylem transport of water initiates at the roots and travels upwards to the plant tissue extremities. By way of non-limiting example for various common trees of interest, the plug can be inserted at a height ranging from 0.1 m to 1 m above the ground (e.g., a height of at least 0.1 or 0.2 m and/or up to 0.3, 0.5, or 1 m). In apple trees, for example, the first set of scaffold limbs occur at or above about 0.3 m, so an insertion point below 0.3 m is desirable. 
     For a given tree, multiple plugs are suitably inserted into the tree at multiple positions distributed around the tree trunk (e.g., circumferentially distributed). The total number of plugs for a given tree increases as the trunk diameter increases. Larger trees need more active ingredient because they have more canopy. Xylem is sectored within the tree such that multiple plugs are needed to attain an even distribution of product in the tree canopy. For example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, or more plugs can be distributed around the circumference of the tree trunk at approximately even intervals (e.g., at approximately 360°/n intervals where n is the number of plugs). 
     The types of trees that can be treated with the composite pesticide plug are not particularly limited and can be trees in a cultivated area (e.g., orchard), a nursery, or a wild area (e.g., forest), for example. Suitable types of trees include fruit trees, ornamental trees, forest trees, etc. Examples of specific fruit trees of interest include apple trees, cherry trees, grapefruit trees, lemon trees, lime trees, nectarine trees, orange trees, peach trees, pear trees, plum trees, and pomegranate trees. 
     Further, while several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any examples may be combined with or replaced by other features from other examples. Moreover, while several examples have been disclosed herein, changes may be made to the disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the claims.