FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  How long does it take for a TREEGATOR^® bag to empty?

  The time it typically takes for a TREEGATOR^® Original to empty is approximately 5 to 9 hours. This time may vary slightly depending on weather conditions, soil and tree types, etc.
  
  The time it typically takes for a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro to empty is approximately 5 to 8 hours. This time may vary slightly depending on weather conditions, soil and tree types, etc.

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  Can I adjust the drip time on a TREEGATOR^® bag?

  The water release rates cannot be adjusted on a TREEGATOR^® bag. TREEGATOR^® Slow Release Watering Bags are designed to provide deep water saturation in the least amount of time with no run-off or evaporation.

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  Where does the water release from on a TREEGATOR^® bag?

  On a TREEGATOR^® Original, the water release holes are located on the bottom corners on the front of the bag, just behind the folds.
  
  
  
  
  
  On a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro, the emitter valves are located on the underside of the bag. Just turn over an empty TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro (red fill valve face down) to find them.
  
  
  
  

   

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  What is a TREEGATOR^® Double Bag setup?

  Zipping two (2) TREEGATOR^® Original Bags together back-to-back around the tree trunk is called a Double Bag setup. This setup is necessary when watering trees from 4" to 8" in caliper (trunk diameter)
  
  Note: Double Bag Setup is not an option on TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro model.

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  What is the maximum size (dia.) tree trunk that I can use a TREEGATOR^® bag on?

  A single TREEGATOR^® Original can fit trees from 1" to 3" in caliper (trunk diameter).
  Two TREEGATOR^® Originals used in a Double Bag Setup can fit trees from 4" to 8" in caliper (trunk diameter). Note: Using more than 2 bags zipped together is not recommended.
  
  The maximum size tree trunk that a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro will fit around is 5 inches in diameter (caliper) Note: using a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro on a tree or shrub larger than 5" in caliper may damage the product or water insufficiently.

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  Is there a minimum size (dia.) tree trunk that I can use a TREEGATOR^® bag on?

  TREEGATOR^® Original should NOT be used on a tree with a trunk caliper (diameter) less than 1 inch.
  
  There is no minimum trunk size that is recommended in order to use a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro. It can be used on saplings or trees / shrubs up to 6 inches in trunk diameter (caliper), with branches beginning at least 5 inches off the ground or higher.

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  How long will it take for me to install and fill a TREEGATOR^® bag?

  It takes approximately 2 to 5 minutes to install and fill a single TREEGATOR^® bag. Setup is quick and easy, and requires no tools or additional components - just place, fill and walk away!
  
  Click here to watch our How-To installation video for the TREEGATOR^® Original Slow Release Watering Bag.

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  Will a TREEGATOR^® bag degrade over time due to exposure to sunlight / UV rays?

  A TREEGATOR^® Original is made of tough UV-stabilized polyethylene plastic, and is guaranteed not to break down or degrade due to extended UV exposure for at least 5 years from the date of purchase.
  
  A TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro is made of tough UV-stabilized PVC plastic, and is guaranteed not to break down or degrade due to extended UV exposure for at least 3 years from the date of purchase.

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  Should a TREEGATOR^® bag be left on a tree or shrub when not in use?

  TREEGATOR^® Bags are NOT a permanent installation - they are meant to be used on as-needed basis, as a more efficient and effective means of watering a newly planted tree or shrub. The bags are most often used during the initial 1 to 2 growing seasons after planting (typically March / April thru October / November, depending on your location / hardiness zone).

  We typically recommend that users of either TREEGATOR^® model empty the bags of any remaining water, and remove them when they are not in use - particularly during the winter months. Removing the bags when not in use and/or needed not only ensures that the plantings will have generous access to rainfall amounts, but it also greatly increases the longevity of the products' life-span.

  To store either model, simply empty all water from the bag(s), fold or roll up, and then store in a cool, dry place (i.e. garage, storage shed, etc.) until needed again.

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  Can additives such as fertilizers or nutrients be added to a TREEGATOR^® bag?

  Yes. Additives such as liquid or water soluble fertilizers / stimulants / nutrients can be added to both models of TREEGATOR^® Slow Release Watering Bags.
  
  To avoid any clogging issues, it is strongly recommended that the additives be pre-mixed in a separate container, and then added to the bag after filling to 1/4 capacity with clean water.

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  Can a TREEGATOR^® bag be used on a planting that is on a hill or steep grade?

  A TREEGATOR^® Original can be used on a hillside or steep grade. However, the bag must be positioned with the zippers on the uphill side of the tree trunk, with the front of the bag facing downhill. This will allow the bag to empty properly.
  
  In order to ensure complete and even drainage of water, it is highly recommended that a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro be used only on a level surface or properly built mulch pile. (see right for mulch pile examples)

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  Does a TREEGATOR^® bag come with a manufacturer warranty?

  Every TREEGATOR^® Original comes with a 5-year limited manufacturer warranty from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship.
  
  
  
  
  Every TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro comes with a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

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  What size hose can I use to fill up a TREEGATOR^® bag?

  A TREEGATOR^® Original has a wide fill opening (located underneath the color tag) that will fit up to a 3" diameter hose - This is ideal for watering crews that may use large hoses when working with watering trucks and/or large tanks with or without pumps.
  
  
  
  A TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro is fitted with a red fill valve that can accommodate a standard sized garden hose of approximately 1.5" in diameter.

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  Why doesn't a TREEGATOR^® Bag need to be filled every day?

  A TREEGATOR^® Slow Relese Watering Bag delivers water deep below the soil surface with no run-off - every time. This means that there is now a high concentration of moisture within the entire soil profile that your new tree or shrub can feed from - potentially for several days.
  
  Also - after a deep watering application, allowing the soil to begin to dry out will help encourages deep root growth. Keeping the soil too moist for too long, or poor drainage at the planting site, can remove the oxygen available to the roots from within the soil and kill a tree or shrub.

TROUBLESHOOTING

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  My TREEGATOR^® Original bag is not emptying completely / at all.

  If your TREEGATOR^® Original is not properly releasing water, and has remained in a stationary and/or static position for an extended period of time, (especially if used on a tree after not being filled properly), then it may be that the bags simply need to be "reset".

  You can do this by letting the bag(s) empty as much as possible - Or, if the bag(s) won't drain completely, slowly unzip the bags (holding the two sides together as you do so to prevent the zippers from tearing), and then let the water out of the bag(s) yourself (Note: Be careful when unzipping the bags while full - you may want someone to help you hold the two sides of the bag together as they are unzipped to prevent damage).

  Then, lay the empty bag(s) on a flat surface, and use your hands / fingers to smooth out any "wrinkles" or "kinks" in the plastic material that may have formed due to the bags sitting in a static position for an extended time.

  

  If re-setting the bags does not solve your problem, then check the drip holes at the bottom corners of the bag (see picture at right) If any debris or sediment appears to be clogging one or both holes, then simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth or paper towel.

  If wiping / clearing debris from the outside of the water release points does not allow the hole(s) to drain sufficiently, then try taking the straightened end of a standard size office paper clip, and gently insert it into the water release hole. Move the paperclip end around inside the hole in a circular motion to help sufficiently clean it out.

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  My TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro bag is not emptying completely / at all.

  If your TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro is having problems properly releasing water, you may need to unclog the emitter nozzles. (Note: Before attempting to unclog the emitter valves, be sure that the product is being used on a level surface. Using a TREEGATOR^® Jr. Pro on a sloped surface can cause a significant amount of water to remain undrained.)

  First, locate the emitter valves - You may need to empty the bag first by gently lifting the bag so that the undrained water flows out of the red fill valve. Then, flip the bag over, with the red fill valve facing down, to view the emitters.

  To unclog the emitter valves, pull and twist on the end of the emitter nozzle to remove them from the elbow-shaped emitter sealed to the bag.

  After the emitter nozzles have been removed, fill the bag with a small amount of clean water, and allow it to run out of the open emitters. Then thoroughly flush and clean the emitter nozzles with warm soapy water. Push emitter nozzles back into fill valves - being sure thenozzles are re-inserted tightly.

  Flip the bag back over (red fill valve face up) place around tree trunk, fill to desired level and let it empty.

  *Note: Repositioning the bag after filling may help to prevent future clogs - Every 2 to 3 refills, try turning the bag 1/4 turn around the trunk base so that the emitters are setting in a different position.

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TREEGATOR® ORIGINAL	TRUNK CALIPER (diameter)	APPROX. WATER CAPACITY (per bag)	RECOMMENDED FILLS PER WEEK
Single Bag	1 to 2 inch (2.54 to 5.08 cm)	15 Gallons (56.78 liters)	1 Fill Per Week
	2 to 3 inch (5.08 to 7.62 cm)	14.75 to 14.25 Gallons (55.84 to 53.94 liters)	2 Fills Per Week
Double Bag Setup	4 to 5 inch (10.16 to 12.70 cm)	23.5 Gallons (88.95 liters)	1 Fill Per Week
	5 to 8 inch (12.70 to 20.32 cm)	22.75 to 21.5 Gallons (86.11 to 81.38 liters)	2 Fills Per Week

TREEGATOR® JR. PRO	TRUNK CALIPER (diameter)	RECOMMENDED FILLS PER WEEK
15 Gallon capacity (56.78 liters)	1 to 2 inch (2.54 to 5.08 cm)	1 Fill Per Week
	2 to 3 inch (5.08 to 7.62 cm)	2 Fills Per Week
	4 to 5 inch (10.16 to 12.7 cm)	3 Fill Per Week

Note: TREEGATOR^® brand products are solely designed to assist the user in properly watering a tree. Spectrum Products Inc., the manufacturer of TREEGATOR^® brand watering bags recommends that product users follow the installation instructions and precautions provided for each TREEGATOR^® brand product. Installation instructions may be found on any provided product tags, packaging materials and at www.Treegator.com. Any other use or misuse of TREEGATOR^® brand products for purposes not designed by the manufacturer for its products, is not recommended. Spectrum Products Inc. and its affiliates will not be responsible for any proper, improper, or misuse of TREEGATOR^® brand products.