A chemical shell for insertion into a tree comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a closed first end and an open second end with a rim portion extending outwardly from the closed end. A non-aqueous chemical is contained within the tubular member and a water-soluble tubular sleeve extends over the open second end of the tubular member and at least a portion of the tubular member to maintain the chemical in the tubular member until the shell has been inserted into a tree so that the sap in the tree dissolves the sleeve to permit the chemical in the tubular member to be released into the tree when dissolved by the sap in the tree.