Devices / Tags / Sap Flow

LoRaWAN Sap Flow Sensors

LoRaWAN sap flow sensors track how much water moves through trees and crops, streaming plant water-use data wirelessly over long distances.

Sap flow sensing measures the movement of water through a plant’s stem, trunk or branch, giving a direct window into transpiration and water uptake. Most devices estimate flow thermally: a small heat input is applied to the conducting tissue, and temperature differences between probes reveal how fast sap is carrying that heat away.

LoRaWAN devices of this type sample on a fixed interval, encode the reading into a compact payload, and transmit it to a nearby gateway. Long range and low power suit field deployments where the sensor must run for a full season on batteries.

Typical uses include:

  • Precision irrigation in orchards and vineyards
  • Drought-stress research in forestry and ecology
  • Crop water-use and scheduling studies

When comparing sensors, weigh measurement method and probe design, accuracy and resolution, battery life, enclosure rating for outdoor exposure, supported regional frequency plans, and whether a payload decoder is supplied for straightforward decoding on your network server.

Top vendors

Manufacturers with the most sap flow devices in the catalog.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a LoRaWAN sap flow sensor measure?

It measures the rate at which water (sap) moves through a plant’s stem or trunk, an indicator of transpiration and plant water use. Many devices use a heat-pulse or thermal-dissipation method, inferring flow from how heat dissipates through the conducting tissue.

Why use LoRaWAN for sap flow monitoring?

LoRaWAN’s long range and low power let battery-powered sap flow sensors operate for seasons in remote orchards, forests and fields, sending periodic readings to a gateway without mains power or cellular coverage.

What should I check when choosing a sap flow sensor?

Compare the measurement method and probe design, accuracy and resolution, battery life, enclosure (IP) rating for outdoor use, supported regional frequency plans, and whether a payload decoder is provided for your network server.