There are various methods used to treat diseases or insect damage including injection, soil drenching, and broadcast spraying. With any of these methods, it is important to know that although the chemicals are helping to insure survival, they can also cause harm if not done correctly. For the purpose of this post, we will focus on the injection method. Injecting into a tree allows for direct absorption of the fungicide, fertilizer, or insecticide being used. If the tree has not been watered sufficiently before injection, then several issues could arise. A well-watered tree can uptake the injections quicker and distribute the chemical evenly throughout the tree. A tree under stressful conditions, such as drought, will struggle to absorb the injections and may not properly distribute the chemical. This irregular distribution can lead to phytotoxicity in the leaves. Phytotoxicity is when the leaves react to too much of a chemical and they begin to bronze, spot or discolor. This can lead to the loss of foliage or entire limbs. Watering before and after injecting will improve the circulation of the chemical throughout the tree and lessen the chance of adverse reactions.
To learn more, click on the “watering” tab on the main page