Plant stem, tree branch or trunk moisture probe

Abstract

A moisture probe or sensor including an attachment element configured for attachment to a plant, bush or tree to determine a moisture content of the plant bush or tree. The moisture probe including a transceiver configured to transmit a moisture signal indicative of the moisture content of the plant, tree or plant.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A moisture probe for measuring moisture content of a plant, the moisture probe comprising:
 an attachment element configured for attachment to the plant;   at least one electrode,   positioned on the attachment element and structured for contact with the plant; and   measurement circuitry connected to the electrode and operable to provide a measurement signal indicative of the moisture content in the plant.   
     
     
         27 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , further comprising a transceiver operable to periodically transmit the measurement signal. 
     
     
         28 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , wherein the measurement circuitry provides the measurement signal to provide an indication of moisture content by volume in the plant based on a dielectric constant of the plant material sensed by the electrode. 
     
     
         29 . The moisture probe of  claim 28 , wherein the plant is a bush. 
     
     
         30 . The moisture probe of  claim 28 , wherein the plant is a tree. 
     
     
         31 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , wherein the attachment element is made of a durable material. 
     
     
         32 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , wherein the moisture probe further comprises a body in which the measurement circuitry and transceiver are mounted. 
     
     
         33 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , wherein the attachment element includes a pivot arm pivotably mounted on the body between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         34 . The moisture probe of  claim 33 , wherein the pivot arm is biased in the closed position such that a first end of the pivot arm is positioned against the body. 
     
     
         35 . The moisture probe of  claim 33 , wherein the pivot arm is configured to move into the open position to separate the first end of the pivot arm from the body to form a gap between the first end of the pivot arm and the body when force is applied to a second end of the pivot arm in the direction of the body. 
     
     
         36 . The moisture probe of  claim 35 , wherein the plant is a bush. 
     
     
         37 . The moisture probe of  claim 36 , wherein the gap is configured to receive a branch of the bush. 
     
     
         38 . The moisture probe of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the body facing the pivot arm and in contact with the branch of the bush. 
     
     
         39 . The moisture probe of  claim 35 , wherein the plant is a tree. 
     
     
         40 . The moisture probe of  claim 39 , wherein the gap is configured to receive a branch of the tree. 
     
     
         41 . The moisture probe of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the body facing the pivot arm and in contact with the branch of the tree. 
     
     
         42 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , further comprising a voltage source configured to provide power to the electrode, measurement circuitry and transceiver. 
     
     
         43 . The moisture probe of  claim 26 , further comprising a photocell configured to provide power to the electrode, measurement circuitry and transceiver. 
     
     
         44 . A method of sensing moisture in a plant comprising:
 providing a moisture probe configured for attachment to the plant;   attaching the moisture probe to the plant such that at least one electrode of the moisture probe is positioned in contact with the plant;   sensing, using the at least one electrode, a dielectric constant of the plant material; and   determining the moisture content of the plant based on the dielectric constant of the plant material.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising transmitting a measurement signal indicating the moisture content of the plant periodically to a control station. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising determining health of the plant based on the moisture content.