Micro injection or tree vaccination involves the direct injecting of insecticides or fungicides or both into the tree trunk. Chemistries are delivered into the sapwood or active xylem where translocation disperses the solutes to the leaf mass.Elmsavers is regarded as leader and innovator in this field; we are the First and Only company to offer a Two Year Guarantee with this method.

We are also the first ALL YEAR ROUND micro injection specialists to perfect Imidacloprid injections in the dormant phase.

The injection process can be undertaken throughout the year with equal effect as an insecticide the optimum treatment period is during AUTUMN; this allows ample time for the therapeutic effects of the Chloronicotinyl insecticides to improve tree health for the following spring. (See Reading University Study)

Trees that have been micro injected look more vigorous and healthy than others nearby that have been soil injected. Clients often comment that their tree has improved leaf colour and leaf size compared to when it was soil injected in past years. Another contributing factor is that soil injected imidacloprid is acutely toxic to earthworm species altering soil biology intern affecting tree vigour and nutrient uptake. An example is Eisenia Foetida or “Tiger Worm”, an introduced species that is killed with very low levels of imidacloprid.This and other introduced worm species have a symbiotic relationship with European trees and our agricultural systems.

Click on link http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/imidaclo.htm

Micro injected trees have a higher level of active ingredient available in the canopy, ensuring a superior level of control compared to soil injection.
Chemistries are highly stable within the tree as against soil injection.
Treatments are designed to protect against damage & defoliation for two or more years.
Ideal for all situations, DRY conditions and water restrictions are limiting factors and cause FAILURE WITH SOIL INJECTION.
Micro Injection complies and exceeds OH&S standards compared to conventional treatments, tree injection is the most environmentally friendly method known safe around children, pets and riparian situations. Our system is fast, efficient and inconspicuous; injection sites are sealed to avoid pathogen entry, environmental contamination is zero. See www.envirotreetech.com.au

Mario's Elm Before	Mario's Elm After

This is an extreme example of Elm Leaf Beetle Larval Damage, Mario Martini was Sceptical at first that the treatment would not be enough to save his tree. The Tree was treated in July 2001 to see the tree after the treatment

Shows larval damage	Same tree After

Major damage and serious decline will result to an untreated tree, it is important to employ appropriate treatments at the correct time.

Elm Leaf Beetle Life Cycle

Elm leaf beetle hibernate over the winter period in dry sheltered places such as under tree bark and around buildings etc. Activity begins in early spring as temperatures rise with beetles emerging and feeding on young elm leaves and new sucker growth.

Adult beetle damage is easily identified by its shot hole appearance, it is often noticed on one side of the tree, and this indicates the source of hibernating and emerging beetles. Beetles are approximately the size of a large grain of rice; early in the season they appear yellow and bronze in colour. This probably due to their poor condition. As the beetles feed their colours become more defined, the wing case colours intensify, appearing as dark olive brown and iridescent green parallel stripes that run length ways.

As the season advances beetles gain condition and begin to mate, beetles will then start laying small eggs as seen in images. Most eggs are layed in a double row and have the colour and appearance of “Mini Lemons”; their size approximates a sesame seed. Hatching begins in 7 to 10 days according too the temperature, larvae resemble small black specks as seen in the image below.

Larvae have three instars or moults, “First Instar“ as seen in image on right are small and black, but by the third Instar they attain a length of up too 10mm.

Second Instar larvae feeding, new eggs adjacent, generations are staggered throughout the season. Beetle larvae feed on the leaves by eating the green matter out; leaving a skeleton of veins that desiccates leaves, this is the cause of complete canopy defoliation.

Damage is most severe by the “Third Instar’, by this stage larvae consume eighteen times more leaf material as compared to the first Instar’. Trees are often defoliated within a short period and in some cases within a week, high temperatures increase the speed of the insect’s metabolism.

Late in the Third Instar stage they begin migrate down the trunk, or drop out of the canopy to the ground, they pupate either on the ground or in crevices in the bark of the lower trunk...

After a relatively short time new beetles emerge from the pupae, the new generation disperses and continues the cycle. In Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales two to three generations or more can occur, in Southern Victoria usually one to two generations occur per year depending the temperature and length of season.

Elm Trees and Suckers completely defoliated by consecutive generations of elm leaf beetle Consecutive generations of beetle can continue to feed well into the second week of May (southern Victoria), but this is dependant on temperature and the nutritional quality of the leaf material. With the onset of cooler weather or leaf senescence they will seek shelter and hibernate until September.

This treatment may require up to ten weeks before complete uptake occurs, IRRIGATION is required.
The treatment period ranges from May till October, this may ensure two years protection targeted at the canopy.

Soil injection involves the insertion of a probe, which delivers an accurate dose of chemical around the rootzone; even distribution of the injection sites is essential for an even uptake, chemical is taken up by the root system and distributed via the vascular system to the canopy; beetles that ingest a small amount of leaf material cease feeding immediately.

The chemical reacts within their nervous system resulting in imminent death, Imidacloprid is one of the safest insecticides available with a very low vertebrate toxicity; but it is highly dangerous to aquatic and soil invertebrates, avoidance of waterways is stated on the label.

Elmsavers discourages the use of this treatment due to environmental concerns; we are phasing it out in preference from more eco friendly options.

After care for soil injected elm trees
You have now had your elm tree treated and are wondering what is necessary for maintenance during the growing season.

The main priority after your elm has been treated is to keep the Root zone Very Moist it is imperative that this is done to assist uptake of insecticide into the canopy. High moisture levels are necessary to maintain good tree health during our hot summers, you must remember that these trees originate in cooler northern hemisphere climates; trees transpire great amounts of water when the temperatures are high. There is no need to apply any fertilisers as the treatment involves the application of Macro-Boost® a registered product that contains bio-stimulants and high quality liquid fertilisers, this also aids new root development and ensures that soil micro organisms thrive, critical to the over all health of your tree.

To find more answers to your questions please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page.

To View Material Safety Data Sheets for Confidor
click on link CONFIDOR INFORMATION RELEASE.
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