What Is a Tree Spade?

Basic Structure

• A tree spade is constructed of heavy duty materials, such as steel or other metal alloys. Depending on style of tree spade, it comprises three to six spade-shaped blades set at a 20 to 30 degree angle. For power, a tree spade is connected to the hydraulic and power supply of another piece of equipment, such as a tractor, backhoe or skid steer. When open, the tree spade blades can wrap around the base of a tree and be closed to create a ring over the root system. The blades then pierce into the soil and close together to cut the tree roots and lift up a substantial root ball.

Sizes

• Manufacturers engineer and construct tree spades in a variety of sizes, shapes and blade angles. The size and depth of the blades determines how large of a root ball can be made. Smaller trees do not require as large of a tree spade. For example, a tree with a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 inches needs a tree spade with a diameter around 44 inches. A 6- to 8-inch diameter trunk may require a tree spade with 92 inch diameter to create an appropriate root ball. A tree spade can be as small as 18 to 24 inches in diameter, which creates a root ball weighing up to 250 pounds and about 20 inches tall. Or, it could be as large as 60 inches in diameter, creating a root ball nearly 50 inches tall and weighing over 5,000 lbs.

Transplanting the Tree

• After the appropriately sized tree spade is determined for the size tree for transplanting, the spade is attached to the power machinery. The tree spade is first taken to the planting site to cut out a precise planting hole that matches the size and shape of the tree spade. Then the tree spade is taken back to the location of the tree to be moved. The blades are opened and positioned around the tree with the trunk in the precise center. The blades are closed, locked in place and the hydraulic power cuts downward to create the root ball. The spade is then hoisted up to lift the tree and root ball. The machine with tree spade and captured tree drives to the planting site. The tree in the spade is carefully positioned and lowered into the planting hole. The blades are slid up to release the tree and root ball into the hole. The spade is opened and removed.

After Planting Care

• Although the tree spade's blades create an intact root ball, the tree still loses a substantial amount of roots during the transplant process. The root ball must be kept evenly moist to sustain the roots and encourage growth into the non-frozen soil. To stabilize the newly planted tree, it is staked and tied with guy wires for six to twelve months. To keep the soil moist and evenly cool -- conditions favorable for root growth, a 3 inch layer of organic mulch is placed around the root ball. The mulch deters weeds and moderates cold and hot weather from inconsistently changing the soil temperature profile.