Soil compaction is a widespread problem that affects the health of various ecosystems and can have negative impacts on plant growth and overall soil health. Previously the best tool to combat this issue was the AirSpade. But VOGT Geo Injector, a potent new proprietary technology from Germany, has brought a whole range of new opportunities to tackle the problem.
Trees and shrubs get their sustenance from the area surrounding their roots, known as the rhizosphere. Their roots absorb water and nutrients through the root–soil interface structures, and even their ‘breathing’ is done through pores in the soil.
However, this natural cycle can be disrupted by compacted soil, leading to a decline in vitality and the formation of deadwood. The VOGT Geo Injector can remedy this by using compressed air to loosen soil through a punctual aeration process. The injection tube applies adjustable pressure ranging from five to eight bar (72psi-116psi) and creates free spaces for soil additives, allowing the user to both decompact the soil and inject bespoke nutrient solutions in one application.
Jobs of all sizes
The VOGT Geo Injector is ideal for residential, private, commercial or large-scale council tasks and the pressure regulation minimises damage to fine roots.
Representing a significant advancement in soil-decompaction technology, this innovative tool excites, simultaneously loosening soil while infusing it with essential elements like granulated fertilisers, adsorbents, soil conditioners and air, offering unparalleled versatility and precision for promoting better tree health.
Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on decompaction, the VOGT Geo Injector allows for immediate enrichment of the soil to depth, fast tracking the transition of nutrients and making it ideal for urban tree management, landscaping and agriculture.
The ability to inject water adsorbents improves moisture retention, particularly in drought-prone areas, while the infusion of granules enhances soil structure and promotes nutrient cycling at a faster rate.
Best of all?
The VOGT Geo Injector brings all of this to bear in a single pass. The operator can simply inject and go.
Great results. Less effort
When soil becomes compacted, a tree’s natural cycle is disrupted, often leading to a decline in vitality, the formation of deadwood (and dormant soil microorganisms) and the start of the spiral of decline and loss of resilience. The VOGT Geo Injector can help remedy these issues by using compressed air to loosen compacted soil through a targeted aeration process, allowing the operator to aerate the soil and inject a bespoke nutrient blend in a single application.
The device is mounted on a Plant Health Care (PHC) utility vehicle, which includes a 400-litre water tank, a fertiliser tank, and a Dosatron for adjusting mixes.
The VOGT aerator reaches deepseated, compacted soil layers, releasing compressed air to open sealed capillaries, while aeration holes are filled with a supporting dry-soil conditioner mix, removing stagnant moisture and allowing oxygen to reach the roots.
Valve-controlled trigger technology releases air suddenly, breaking up soil efficiently without physical exertion.
Game changer
The technology used by the VOGT Geo Injector is recommended by Heritage Tree Care, the Australian company which has used the VOGT Geo Injector for five years and has begun distribution of the German innovation around Australia.
Heritage Tree Care’s plant-health research division is continuously working to improve arboriculture solutions, collaborating with credible agencies like Griffith University to conduct research trials assessing the beneficial effects of soil injections on trees in a variety of landscapes. Helmed by a microbiologist, an agronomist and arborists, the Heritage plant-health division believes the VOGT Geo Injector could change the game.
The VOGT Geo Injector has proven its effectiveness through real-world applications, having been extensively used by Heritage Tree Care in treating over 60,000 trees across major council projects throughout Queensland. Its success is evident in large-scale projects for councils such as the City of Gold Coast, Brisbane City Council, These case studies demonstrate the technology’s ability to address soil compaction and improve tree health on a significant scale, making it a reliable solution for urban and regional landscapes alike.
To experience the system’s capabilities or learn more about the plant-health applications, Heritage Tree Care is currently running workshops and demonstrations.
Learn more at heritagetreecare.com.au, or give the staff a call on 1800 353 053.