A survey of current and potential use of tree spades

One of the main objectives of the survey was to investigate the potential for a new tree spade. It appeared there was a strong and increasing demand for root ball trees. Although there was general satisfaction with existing machinery, it was thought expensive and restricted in operational flexibility. In the UK there is limited use of tree spades at the present time. Root pruning, wrapping and lifting were seen as worth mechanising and there was considerable interest from root ball tree specialists in following research developments. Respondents expressed the view that any new machinery should be manoeuvrable and made to fit standard agricultural equipment.