Mobile tree canopy treatment system

Abstract

A method of treating a tree, the method includes positioning a temperature transmitter proximate to the tree; and lowering a treatment unit over the tree and the temperature transmitter, the treatment unit configured to move independently from a supply unit, the treatment unit in fluid communication with the supply unit.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a tree, the method comprising:
 positioning a temperature transmitter proximate to the tree; and   lowering a treatment unit over the tree and the temperature transmitter, the treatment unit configured to move independently from a supply unit, the treatment unit in fluid communication with the supply unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 programming a system controller with a treatment temperature and a treatment duration time; and   running a treatment program through the system controller to treat the tree at the treatment temperature for the treatment duration time.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising raising the treatment unit above the tree and the temperature transmitter after the expiration of the treatment duration time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment unit includes a treatment ring defining a treatment region and a canopy enclosing the treatment region, and wherein lowering the treatment unit over the tree and temperature transmitter includes positioning the treatment unit with the tree and temperature transmitter within the treatment region. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature transmitter is a wireless temperature transmitter, and wherein lowering the treatment unit over the tree and the temperature transmitter includes using an elevating mechanism to move the treatment unit independently from the supply unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising spraying a fluid into a treatment region, the treatment region defined by the treatment unit, the tree positioned within the treatment region. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein spraying the fluid into the treatment region comprises spraying the fluid through a nozzle into the treatment region. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising heating the fluid within the supply unit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising controlling a flowrate of the fluid to control a temperature within the treatment region. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising monitoring the temperature with the temperature transmitter.