Plant maintenance apparatus with plant sensing members

A plant maintenance apparatus adapted to be moved in a direction of movement adjacent to or along a plant, said apparatus comprising or including,

• a support frame for connection to a prime mover to enable at least said movement,
• at least one pair of sensing members to locate either side of said plant, mounted from said frame, to contact and be deflected by said plant as said apparatus is moved,
• a first sensor to sense said deflection and if said deflection is above a threshold issue a signal to an actuator,
• at least one near ground member, mounted from said frame and moving therewith, said at least one near ground member acted on by said actuator, such that when said threshold is met said at least one near ground member moves to a first position away from said plant when immediately adjacent thereto, and then moves to a second position once past said plant,
• such that said at least one near ground member can treat a ground or soil or otherwise at or near a plant at least when in said second position, including disturbing any non-desired plants on said ground, whilst moving away from and not disturbing said plant which is sensed and above said threshold when in said first position.