CA2862839C

CA2862839C - Root protecting and activating member for green tree

Info

Publication number: CA2862839C
Application number: CA2862839A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Yong Gi Jang
Original assignee: NOKSAEK Inc
Current assignee: NOKSAEK Inc
Priority date: 2012-01-19
Filing date: 2012-11-28
Publication date: 2017-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-28
Also published as: CA2862839A1; WO2013108987A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, which includes a binding unit for wrapping a root of the tree and an earth ball around the root for growing and transplanting the tree, the binding unit produced with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resins mixed with a fertilizer, wherein the fertilizer contains phosphoric acid (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N). The root protecting and activating member can supply nutrients to the tree by being decomposed by microorganisms in the soil with the lapse of time, thereby activating growth of the tree.

Description

ROOT PROTECTING AND ACTIVATING MEMBER FOR GREEN TREE
Technical Field The present invention relates to a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, and more particularly, to a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, which can protect roots of a tree and can continuously supply nutrient during growth and transplantation of the tree.
Background Art In general, transplantation of a tree refers to transplant the tree from a current location to another. Most trees are subjected to at least 3 to 5 transplanting processes to safely establish the trees at a desired transplantation site to reach a large-sized tree stage since they are transplanted at a seedling stage.
Transplantation of trees generally consists of installing a temporary prop, root pruning, digging and transporting. In the installing of the temporary prop, the temporary prop is installed before digging to avoid a tree having a height of 4.5 m or greater from collapsing. In the root pruning, which is taken as a preliminary measure for inducing smooth transplantation and vital establishment, the root is cut and the skin of the tree is peeled. In the digging, the tree is excavated for transplantation, and the size of digging range, digging time and method may vary according to the physiological properties and behaviors of a tree and difficulties of transplantation. However, the digging generally consists of trimming, digging a hole and digging up. In the trimming, branches are trimmed to suppress proliferation and to promote transportation without damaging the basic shape of the tree. In the digging up, soil is firmly fixed to the root with a straw rope, straw sack, moisture preserving member, and other soil protecting materials so as to prevent the soil from being separated from the root.
Vegetation of the transplanted tree is performed through temporarily planting, digging a hole, planting, burying, binding water, and establish a prop. The temporarily planting is performed to prevent the root from being dried and to prevent branches and leaves from being damaged. In the digging of the hole, the hole greater than or equal to 1.5 times larger than the root ball. After the establishing of the prop, mulching and disinfecting may further be performed.
In transplantation of a tree, the most important factor is to protect the root of the tree.
The root is directly related with vitality of the tree and directly affects growth of the tree after planting the tree. In the transplantation of the tree, during a digging-up work of pruning the root in a state in which the soil sticks to the root, the root ball is formed to be 2 to 5 times, specifically 5 to 7 times in a large-sized tree, as large as a root diameter, according to the kind of tree of the root.
Here, the outer circumferential surface of the root ball is tightly fastened with a binding material, such as a straw rope, a rubber band, a greening bag, a mat

2 or a straw, followed by planting the root ball as it is. In a case where the rubber band or rope is used as the binding material, the rubber band having high elasticity is capable of stably supporting the root ball until the root is vitally established after it is planted. However, since the rubber band is not biodegradable even after a prolonged period, it may become impediment to vital establishment of the root.
In addition, soil activation due to microorganisms is hindered, hampering the growth of the tree.
Meanwhile, in transplantation of roadside trees or landscape trees, thin roots and branches, which are required for plant growth are mostly cut and planted, which may often result in withering due to insufficient supply of moisture and nutrients.
Therefore, there is a demand for development of new tree transplantation methods for effective forestation and landscaping.
Korean Patent Publication No. 2009-0109300 discloses a container for transplantation of trees. The disclosed container for transplantation of trees includes a main body configured to have a container having an open top portion to receive a predetermined portion having the root of the tree to be planted into the earth to allow fine roots to be vitally established therein, and a plurality of holes formed randomly or at a constant interval on side surfaces and a lower portion of the main body.
In addition, Korean Patent Publication No. 2006-0125970 disclose a transplantation net. The disclosed transplantation net is configured to promote

3 transplantation of a tree by inserting the root of the tree into the net in the course of transplanting a net-type tool having a predetermined backbone, instead of a straw rope for binding the root.
The aforementioned transplantation container or net is formed of synthetic resins, and when it is planted into the earth, growth of the tree may be hindered. In particular, the vital establishment of the root of the tree is prevented, and natural decomposition does not occur, resulting in environmental contamination. In addition, the transplantation net formed of synthetic resins may interfere with the growth of the root while the tree grows, thereby preventing the tree from being vitally growing.
In a case of wrapping the root with a greening bag made of a rubber band and synthetic resins, the aforementioned problem may be posed.
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, for growing the tree and / or transplanting the tree, the root protecting and activating member comprising a binding unit of a band of a predetermined length and width, formed from vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with fertilizer containing phosphoric acid (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N), the band wrapped or weaved a plurality of times around the root and root ball of the tree thereby to form said root protecting and activating member.
Other exemplary embodiments provide a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, comprising a binding unit for wrapping a root of the tree and a root ball for growing and transplanting the tree, the binding unit produced

4 with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with a fertilizer, wherein the fertilizer contains phosphoric acid (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N).
Yet other exemplary embodiments provide a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, comprising a binding unit for wrapping a root of the tree and an earth ball around the root for growing and transplanting the tree, the binding unit produced with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resins mixed with fertilizer, wherein the binding unit is formed of a pad including a fertilizer.
Disclosure of the Invention In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present invention provides a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, which can transplant the green tree without damaging the roots and can supply nutrients to the tree by being decomposed with the lapse of time, and by which the roots are not interfered during growth of the tree.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a root protecting and activating member for a green tree, comprising a binding unit for wrapping a 4a root of the tree and a root ball for growing and transplanting the tree, the binding unit produced with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with a fertilizer.
The binding unit may be formed with a band having a predetermined width and length and may be formed of a container having a base unit having a plurality of through-holes formed therein and a sidewall unit, or a pad including vegetable starch and a fertilizer.
Advantageous Effects As described above, in the root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention, the root of the tree is wrapped for growth, or the root and the root ball can be fastened to each other during transplantation. In addition, the nutrients can be supplied to the tree by being biodegradable in the soil, thereby activating the growth of the tree.
In particular, according to the present invention, the root of the tree is not interfered as the root of the tree grows, thereby preventing interference of the root of the tree while being supplied with moisture for a predetermined period of time.
Brief Description of the Drawings The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the

5 accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention is applied to a tree;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating other embodiments of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partly extracted perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention;
FIGS. 6 to 8 are side views illustrating other embodiments of a container of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a pad of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention; and FIG. 10 is a side sectional view illustrating a state in which a tree is transplanted by a binding unit.

6 =
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention is directed to allow a tree to grow and to be transplanted by accommodating a predetermined soil for tree growth, which is decomposed to be supplied to the tree as nutrients, and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention is applied to a tree, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating other embodiments of a binding unit of a root protecting and activating member for a green tree according to the present invention.
Referring first to FIG. 1, the root protecting and activating member 10 for a green tree may wrap a root 101 and a root ball 102 to allow the tree 100 to grow or to be transplanted and may temporarily supply the root 101 and the root ball with moisture. The root protecting and activating member 10 may include a binding unit 20 produced with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with a fertilizer. The binding unit 20 is decomposed when it is planted into the earth, and supplies the root of a tree with nutrients.
The binding unit 20 may be formed with a band 30 having a predetermined width and length, a container 40 including a base unit having a plurality of through-

7 holes and a sidewall unit, or a pad 50 capable of wrapping the root 101 and the root ball 102. The band 30, the container 40 or the pad 50 is produced with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with a fertilizer containing three major nutrients, that is, phosphoric acid (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N).
Embodiments of the binding unit 20 will now be described in more detail.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the band 30 wraps the root 101 and the root ball 102 when the tree 100 is transplanted, and includes a band-type main body 31 produced by extruding the vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with fertilizer ingredients. Here, since the vegetable starch is poor in terms of tensile force, a combination of the vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin is preferably formed by extrusion to be used as the band-type main body 31, and cores 32 made of natural fiber may be installed lengthwise inside the band-type main body 31.
As shown in FIG. 3, the band 30 may be shaped of a net having a predetermined width. The net may be formed by weaving a band or may include slots 33 formed lengthwise during extrusion of the band 30.
Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, an outer skin layer 35 with a fertilizer, that is, nutrients, contained in a relatively high concentration, may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the band-type main body 31 of the band 30.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a container as an exemplary binding unit.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the container 40 is biodegradable and include tree nutrients made of a biodegradable synthetic resin or vegetable starch, particularly

8 cone starch, which produced by injection molding. The container 40 includes a main body including a base unit 41 having a plurality of first through-holes 42 and a sidewall unit 45 extending from an edge of the base unit 41 and having a plurality of second through-holes 46. An aperture ratio of the sidewall unit 45 created by forming the plurality of second through-holes 46 in the sidewall unit 45 is preferably in a range of 34% to 65%. In addition, an aperture ratio of the base unit 41 created by forming the plurality of the plurality of first through-holes 42 in the base unit 41 may be equal to or greater than that of the sidewall unit 45, and the base unit 41 may be completely opened.
The base unit 41 forms a bottom portion of the container 40 for growth and transplantation of a tree according to the present invention and may have various shapes including a disk shape or a polygonal shape, according to the shape of the container 40. The plurality of first through-holes 42 formed in the base unit 41 may be provided radially. The plurality of first through-holes 42 may be formed by radially forming base ribs 43 from the center of the base unit 41 and connecting the base ribs 43 by support ribs 44. The support ribs 44 connecting the base ribs may be continuously or discontinuously formed in a radial direction of the base unit 41.
The sidewall unit 45 upwardly extends from the edge of the base unit 41 to form a space for holding soil to allow the tree to grow and includes vertical frame units 47 and horizontal frame units 48 connecting the vertical frame units 47 to each other. The plurality of second through-holes 46 are formed by the vertical

9 frame units 47 and the horizontal frame units 48.
The base unit 41 and the sidewall unit 45 of the aforementioned container 40 are not limited to those defined in the above-described embodiment, and may have through-holes having a variety of patterns. For example, connection frame units may be upwardly connected from edges of the base unit 41, and an upper frame connecting top ends of the connection frame units to each other. The connection frame units may be shaped of nets having through-holes formed lengthwise, as shown in FIG. 7, or strips having a predetermined width, as shown in FIG. 8.
The base unit 41 and the sidewall unit 45 of the container 40 may be produced with vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with a fertilizer, and may be decomposed to supply the tree with nutrients. In order to continuously supply the tree with nutrients, the base unit 41 or the sidewall unit 45 may further include a plurality of nutrient supply units 49 having wider surface areas than the support ribs 44 or horizontal frame units 48. The plurality of nutrient supply units 49 may be formed of the same material as that of the container 40, and may be decomposed to provide more nutrients than the support ribs 44 or the horizontal frame units 48.
Meanwhile, the biodegradable synthetic resin, which is easily decomposed in natural environments without causing environmental contamination, may be a synthetic resin that is completely decomposed into water and carbon dioxide or water and methane gas in the presence of naturally existing microorganisms, such as algae or fungi.
The biodegradable synthetic resin used as a raw material for producing the band 30 or the container 40 is generally prepared using starch or aliphatic polyester. In a case of using starch, cone or potato may be added. In a case of using aliphatic polyester, the aliphatic polyester is preferably prepared by making a non-biodegradable aromatic polyester perfectly biodegradable in natural environments by replacing a benzene ring in the molecular structure of the non-biodegradable aromatic polyester with hydrocarbon.
The biodegradable synthetic resin used for producing the band 30 or the container 40 is largely classified into four types according to the material used, including a natural polymer, a chemically synthetic polymer, a microorganism produced polymer and a combination of natural polymer and chemically synthetic polymer.
The biodegradable synthetic resin used for producing the band 30 or the container 40 is configured to have a structure in which at least one selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic starch having thermoplasticity imparted to starch so as to be freely changed in its shape without being carbonized at a predetermined temperature or higher, such as starch extracted from grains, is mixed with fertilizer ingredients. cellulose derived from grain leaves or reeds, hemi-cellulose, chitin and protein derived from the shell of crab or shrimp, polyethylene, polystyrene, or polypropylene, poly(E-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), diol/diacid-based aliphatic polyester, poly(glycolic acid) (PG), poly(phosphate ester) and poly(phosphazene).
As described above, the pad 50 as another exemplary binding unit may be produced using a biodegradable synthetic resin or non-woven fabric mixed with fertilizer ingredients and may have a plurality of faces to increase a water-impregnating rate. In a case where the pad 50 is produced with the non-woven fabric, as shown in FIG. 9, the pad 50 may have the band 30 or the natural fiber 51 embedded therein, thereby increasing a structural strength of the pad 50.
The operation of the aforementioned root protecting and activating member will now be described.
First, in order to cultivate a tree using the root protecting and activating member according to the present invention, soil for promoting the growth of plant is contained in the container 40 as a binding unit. During this process, the soil is completely contained in the plurality of second through-holes 46 formed in the vertical frame units 47 and the horizontal frame units 48 of the sidewall unit without being leaked. If the soil is contained in such a manner, the tree is planted into the soil. The container 40 having the planted tree is transplanted to a desired transplantation site.
In the course of transplanting the tree planted in the container 40 in the above-described manner, a hole for planting the tree is dug container 40 and buried with the container 40.
If the tree is planted with the container 40, as shown in FIG. 10, the container 40, which is produced with starch that can be decomposed by microorganisms and is mixed with fertilizer ingredients, is decomposed with the lapse of time (usually 1 year to 3 years). Therefore, nutrients can be continuously supplied to the tree contained in the container 40. In particular, in a case where the container 40 is produced with vegetable starch, since the vegetable starch may supply the tree contained in the container 40 with protein, and the base unit 41 or the sidewall unit 45 forming the container 40 contains nutrients including phosphoric acid (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N), these nutrients can be continuously supplied to the tree. The supply of the nutrients is performed until the container 40 is completely decomposed to become soil.
In order to transplant the tree using the pad 50 and the band 30, as shown in FIG. 1, the root 101 and the root ball 102 are wrapped by the pad 50 and the band 30. During this process, the root 101 and the root ball 102 may be entirely or partially wrapped using the pad 50. Here, the band 30 and the pad 50 may serve as a container for holding the root 101 and the root ball 102.
In a state in which the root 101 and the root ball 102 are wrapped by the pad 50 and the band 30, as described above, the root 101 and the root ball 102 of the tree is transported to a transplantation site for transplantation. In the transplantation of the tree, the tree is planted into a hole for transplantation without separating the band 30 and the pad 50 from the root 101 and the root ball 102.
As the tree planted in such a manner grows, the band 30 and the pad 50 are decomposed, so that the nutrients contained in the band 30 and the pad 50 are continuously supplied to the root of the tree with the container 40, and become soil when they are completely decomposed.
As described above, the root protecting and activating member according to the present invention is decomposed with the lapse of time and can continuously supply the root of the tree with nutrients, thereby promoting the growth of the tree and fundamentally preventing the growth of the root from being hindered by the root and the container 40, unlike in the conventional related art. In addition, the root protecting and activating member according to the present invention can prevent the soil from being contaminated by non-biodegradable members for transplantation.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A root protecting and activating member for a green tree, for growing the tree and / or transplanting the tree, the root protecting and activating member comprising a binding unit of a band of a predetermined length and width, formed from vegetable starch or biodegradable synthetic resin mixed with fertilizer containing phosphoric acid (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N), the band being in a form for wrapping or weaving a plurality of times around the root and root ball of the tree thereby to form said root protecting and activating member.

2. The root protecting and activating member of claim 1, wherein the band further includes slots formed lengthways in the band to receive other portions of the band therethrough to facilitate weaving of the band around the root and root ball.

3. The root protecting and activating member of claim 1, the band comprising one or more cores running lengthways within the band, each core comprising a natural fibre or biodegradable synthetic resin.

4. The root protecting and activating member of claim 1, wherein the band comprises an outer skin layer on its outer surface, the outer skin layer comprising nutrients for the tree.

5. A combination of a green tree and a root protecting and activating member as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, the root protecting and activating member formed by wrapping or weaving the band a plurality of times around the root and root ball of the tree.

6. A method of protecting and activating a green tree, for growing the tree and / or transplanting the tree, comprising a step of: forming a root protecting and activating member for the tree as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, by forming the binding unit by wrapping or weaving the band a plurality of times around the root or root ball of the tree.