A tree spade cuts a cone-shaped root ball, lifts the tree out intact, and sets it in a matching hole. It's the tool that makes moving established trees practical rather than a multi-person excavation project.
It's also a significant investment relative to most attachments, so the honest question is whether you'll use it enough.
Who It's Actually For
Worth it: nurseries digging their own field stock, landscape contractors doing regular transplant work, growers relocating stock between blocks, operations that dig and sell B&B trees.
Probably not worth it: retail garden centers that don't dig, landscapers who plant container stock, anyone moving a handful of trees a year. Rental or hiring it out makes more sense at low volume.
Be honest about your annual tree count before buying.
What You'll Use It For
- Digging field-grown nursery stock
- Transplanting established trees on a property
- Relocating trees ahead of construction
- Moving stock between growing blocks
- Digging and balling trees for sale
- Creating planting holes that match the spade's ball dimension
- Salvaging trees from sites being cleared
How to Spec It
Spade size. The primary decision — it sets the root ball diameter, which sets the maximum tree size you can move successfully. Root ball diameter should be proportional to trunk caliper; industry guidance generally calls for a minimum ball diameter per inch of caliper, and undersizing the ball is what kills transplanted trees.
Number of blades. Three- and four-blade configurations are common. More blades generally means a more uniform ball.
Blade thickness and steel. Blades cut through roots and soil repeatedly. Construction quality determines life.
Weight. Tree spades are heavy, and a loaded spade with a soil ball is heavier still. A root ball is mostly soil, and soil is heavy — this is frequently the limiting factor rather than the spade's rating.
Flow requirement. Hydraulic blade actuation. Moderate demand.
Which Models Run It
Capacity is usually the constraint before flow — a soil ball is dense.
YJ1200 / YJ2000 — the practical range for meaningful tree sizes.
YJ1000 — smaller spades and smaller stock.
YJ3000 — larger spades.
Tell us the caliper you dig and we'll work backward to the ball size, ball weight, and machine required. This is a spec conversation worth having before purchase, because the arithmetic is unforgiving.
Trades That Use It Most
Nurseries & Garden Centers · Landscaping · Christmas Tree Farms · Vineyards & Orchards · Tree Care
FAQ
How big a tree can it move?
Determined by the spade size and, critically, by the weight of the resulting soil ball against machine capacity. Smaller than people expect — soil is heavy. Give us your caliper and we'll do the math.
When should I transplant?
Dormant season is generally best — late fall through early spring in most climates. Transplanting in active growth or summer heat significantly reduces survival.
How large should the root ball be?
Proportional to trunk caliper, with industry standards specifying minimums. Undersizing the ball is the leading cause of transplant failure. Don't cut it small to fit the machine — get a bigger machine or move a smaller tree.
Will the tree survive?
Depends on species, season, ball size, aftercare, and how much root you took. Transplanting is always a stress event. Adequate ball size, dormant-season timing, and consistent watering afterward are what determine outcomes.
Can I use it to dig planting holes?
Yes — that's part of the workflow. Dig the receiving hole with the same spade so the ball fits exactly.
Is it worth buying versus renting?
Depends entirely on annual volume. Below a certain tree count, renting or hiring out is the better economics.
Will one from another brand fit?
If it's a universal mini skid mount and the flow matches.
Any maintenance?
Inspect blades for wear and damage, grease pivots and cylinder points, and check hydraulic hoses. Blades take heavy loads cutting roots.
Get a Quote
Tell us the caliper and volume you dig and we'll spec the spade and the machine to carry it.
Request pricing · Call (330) 825-2307