The invention relates to a method for assisting in the pruning of a plant (10) implemented by an electronic apparatus (21), comprising the following steps: a. equipping an electronic device (12; 22; 32) comprising a display area (16; 26; 36), and a camera (18; 28; 38); b. taking at least one image of the plant (10) to be pruned using the camera (18; 28; 38) of the electronic device (12; 22; 32); c. using a machine-learning engine (30) previously trained with training data to determine cutting instructions; and d. displaying the cutting instructions on the display area (16; 26; 36) of the electronic device overlaid over the real image of the plant. The invention also relates to a system (40) for assisting in the pruning of a plant which is intended to implement the above method.

System for hedge pruning and method for making and using the same. An exemplary system for hedge pruning includes a mounting assembly for connecting to a mobile platform, the mounting assembly defining a pivot point region thereon, a cutting arm rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly at the pivot point region. And a blade assembly connected to an end region of the cutting arm such that the blade assembly prunes a hedge along an arc defined based upon rotation of the cutting arm about the pivot point region. Advantageously, the system provides an ability to discriminate selected plants in a hedge to improve grove health and exploit alternate bearing nature of certain groves, resulting in a more consistent production each year. Differentiated treatment can be provided within a row of the plants while pruning the hedges in an automated manner that is more efficient than manual pruning.

A reciprocating blade apparatus includes a pair of reciprocating blades stacked on one another in a thickness direction, and a transmission case including a power train configured to reciprocate the pair of reciprocating blades. The power train includes a pair of eccentric cams, and a pair of reciprocating members including fitting holes in which the eccentric cams are fitted, respectively. The pair of reciprocating members is guided to be able to move along an axis line which is parallel to a moving direction of the pair of reciprocating blades and runs through a rotation axis of the eccentric cams.

System for hedge pruning and method for making and using the same. An exemplary system for hedge pruning includes a mounting assembly for connecting to a mobile platform, the mounting assembly defining a pivot point region thereon, a cutting arm rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly at the pivot point region. And a blade assembly connected to an end region of the cutting arm such that the blade assembly prunes a hedge along an arc defined based upon rotation of the cutting arm about the pivot point region. Advantageously, the system provides an ability to discriminate selected plants in a hedge to improve grove health and exploit alternate bearing nature of certain groves, resulting in a more consistent production each year. Differentiated treatment can be provided within a row of the plants while pruning the hedges in an automated manner that is more efficient than manual pruning.

An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition with respect to a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while causing rotational movement of at least one of the pruning tool and the container about the vertical axis.

System for hedge pruning and method for making and using the same. An exemplary system for hedge pruning includes a mounting assembly for connecting to a mobile platform, the mounting assembly defining a pivot point region thereon, a cutting arm rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly at the pivot point region. And a blade assembly connected to an end region of the cutting arm such that the blade assembly prunes a hedge along an arc defined based upon rotation of the cutting arm about the pivot point region. Advantageously, the system provides an ability to discriminate selected plants in a hedge to improve grove health and exploit alternate bearing nature of certain groves, resulting in a more consistent production each year. Differentiated treatment can be provided within a row of the plants while pruning the hedges in an automated manner that is more efficient than manual pruning.

A reciprocating blade apparatus includes a pair of reciprocating blades stacked on one another in a thickness direction, and a transmission case including a power train configured to reciprocate the pair of reciprocating blades. The power train includes a pair of eccentric cams, and a pair of reciprocating members including fitting holes in which the eccentric cams are fitted, respectively. The pair of reciprocating members is guided to be able to move along an axis line which is parallel to a moving direction of the pair of reciprocating blades and runs through a rotation axis of the eccentric cams.

Described are systems and methods for treating and/or helping prevent microbial infections on plants and trees by applying a treatment solution to cut areas of the plants or trees that have been exposed during a hedging or topping operation, or the like.

An autonomous vehicle apparatus and method for performing pruning operations on a plant being cultivated in a container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled chassis operably configured to autonomously navigate to a location of the container within a workspace. The apparatus also includes a plant support operable to receive and secure the container in an upright condition with respect to a vertical axis extending generally vertically through the container and the plant. The apparatus further includes a manipulator mounted to the vehicle and operable to grasp and load the container onto the plant support, and a pruning tool mounted on the vehicle and disposed to prune the plant while causing rotational movement of at least one of the pruning tool and the container about the vertical axis.

A plant trimming guide apparatus, including a plurality of guide blades made of a resilient material, and a flat collar having a length, a width, an attachment surface, and made of a resilient material. Each of the plurality of guide blades has a pivot end that is secured pivotably with a common securement pin, and an opposed based end, with the plurality of base ends attached to and extending from an attachment surface of the collar, in a series along the length between the first end and the second end of the collar. Securing the first and second ends of the collar into a formed ring with the attachment surface facing outwardly causes the guide blades to extend radially from the common pivot ends and bend semi-spherically to the base ends, forming a spherical trimming guide.