Patent ID: 7178286

Claim:
A method for injecting liquids directly into the trunk of a tree having an outer bark layer that covers inner wood layers including an inner bark layer, a cambium layer, a sapwood layer and a heartwood portion, the method comprising the steps of: providing an injection device, having forward and rearward end portions, an elongated needle extending from said forward end portion, and a container for holding a liquid; said needle having an open rearward end portion that is in communication with an open inner chamber and at least one ejector hole, which is formed in a side wall of said needle, adjacent a forward end portion of said needle; said needle being operatively coupled with said injection device such that said liquid may be transferred from said device through said needle and out said at least one ejector hole; engaging said injection device with the tree trunk so that said needle is inserted into the tree trunk such that said at least one ejector hole is located interiorly of the outer bark layer and exteriorly of the heartwood portion of the tree trunk; injecting said liquid into the tree trunk so that liquid is transferred from said container, through said injection device, through said needle and out said at least one ejector hole; and disengaging said injection device with the tree trunk and said needle so that said needle is at least temporarily left within the tree trunk said at least one ejector hole being shaped and sized no greater than approximately 0.02 inches to be self-sealing when said needle is injected into the tree and said at least one ejector hole is placed in contact with tree fiber, such that liquid is substantially prevented from reentering the open inner chamber of said needle through said at least one ejector hole after the liquid is injected into the tree.