Transplanting mature trees has long been a challenging and labor-intensive task in landscaping, forestry, and urban development. The introduction of the tree spade has revolutionized this process, making it faster, more efficient, and less stressful for the tree. A tree spade is a specialized mechanical tool designed to dig out and lift a tree with its root ball intact, facilitating successful transplantation with minimal damage.
What is a Tree Spade?
A tree spade is a heavy-duty piece of equipment equipped with multiple large, curved blades that dig into the soil around the tree, cutting through roots and soil simultaneously. Once the blades surround the tree’s root zone, the entire root ball is lifted out as a single unit. Tree spades come in various sizes, often mounted on tractors, skid steers, trucks, or even used as stand-alone units. The size and type of tree spade depend on the size of the tree to be transplanted and the soil conditions.
Types of Tree Spades
- Truck-Mounted Tree Spades: These are large, powerful machines attached to a truck chassis. They are designed for transplanting large trees up to several feet in diameter. Because they are mobile, truck-mounted tree spades can easily travel between job sites and handle large volumes of trees efficiently.
- Tractor-Mounted or Skid-Steer Tree Spades: Smaller than truck-mounted units, these spades are attached to tractors or skid steers, making them ideal for medium-sized trees and landscaping projects. They are often more maneuverable in tight spaces such as gardens and parks.
- Handheld or Standalone Tree Spades: Used for very small trees and shrubs, these are less common and require manual operation or smaller powered machinery.
How Does a Tree Spade Work?
The operation of a tree spade is relatively straightforward but requires skill and care:
- Positioning: The tree spade is carefully positioned around the tree. The operator ensures the blades encircle the root zone correctly, usually aiming to dig wide enough to capture most of the feeder roots.
- Blade Insertion: The spade’s blades hydraulically or mechanically drive into the soil, cutting through roots and soil in a conical shape.
- Lifting: Once the blades are fully inserted, the tree and its root ball are lifted from the ground. The root ball size varies depending on the tree size, but ideally, it should be large enough to support the tree’s survival.
- Transporting: The tree is then transported to its new location. Because the root ball remains intact and protected by the soil, the tree experiences less transplant shock and has a higher chance of thriving.
- Replanting: At the new site, the process is reversed— the spade digs a hole and deposits the tree carefully in place, ready for backfilling.
Benefits of Using a Tree Spade
- Efficiency: Traditional hand-digging and transplanting are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Tree spades drastically reduce the time required to dig, lift, and relocate trees.
- Root Protection: By digging a uniform root ball and maintaining soil around the roots, tree spades minimize root damage, increasing the chances of successful transplantation.
- Versatility: Tree spades can handle trees of various sizes and types, from small ornamental trees to large shade trees.
- Mobility: Truck-mounted tree spades can travel between sites quickly, making them suitable for commercial tree nurseries and urban landscaping projects.
- Reduced Transplant Shock: Keeping the root ball intact with minimal disturbance to roots helps trees recover faster in their new environment.
Applications of Tree Spades
Tree spades are widely used in:
- Landscaping and Nursery Operations: For relocating trees within gardens or for sale and transport from nurseries.
- Urban Forestry: When city planners need to move mature trees during construction projects, road expansions, or park developments.
- Reforestation and Conservation Projects: To transplant valuable or endangered trees without damaging them.
- Golf Courses and Large Estates: Where mature trees need to be relocated for course redesign or landscaping improvements.
Considerations When Using a Tree Spade
- Tree Size and Species: Larger trees require bigger spades. Some species with brittle roots may need special care.
- Soil Conditions: Hard or rocky soils can make blade penetration difficult, requiring equipment with stronger hydraulic systems.
- Timing: Transplanting is best done during dormancy (early spring or late fall) to reduce stress on the tree.
- Root Ball Size: The root ball must be proportionate to the tree’s size. Generally, the diameter of the root ball should be 10-12 inches for every inch of trunk diameter.
- Aftercare: Transplanted trees need adequate watering, mulching, and sometimes staking to ensure survival.
