Essential Tree Planting Tools | Handy Tools & How to Use Them

Tree planting provides many benefits and is an appealing option for many homeowners. It helps combat climate change by sequestering carbon, a crucial role in improving air quality. It helps filter pollutants from the air, enhances biodiversity, reduces energy costs, and can even increase property values. It can enhance the appearance of a person’s front yard or backyard. But what tools should you use for tree planting to make it as easy as possible? This helpful article will provide you with our top 3 favorite tree-planting tools.

Use a Spade or Shovel for Tree Planting

Choose the Right Tool for Different Sizes & Types

Spades and shovels are extremely useful in the process of tree planting. After all, you need to dig a hole to plant your tree. However, you must also choose the right spade or tree-planting shovel for the job. You should take into account factors like its size and shape. For example, consider the length of the handle you’ll need. The ideal size is about four inches shorter than your shoulder height when standing upright. This will help you avoid straining your back. The longer the handle, the better leverage you have when digging. However, consider a tree-planting shovel or spade with a shorter handle if you’re in a tight space. You should also consider the shape of the shovel when choosing a tree-planting shovel. The shovel shape is very important. A tree-planting shovel with a flat blade is great for scooping loose soil. A spade with a pointed blade can help you dig into hard or compacted soil, breaking up the tough ground. A lightweight round blade can help you dig into softer or newly cultivated soils. Using the right tree-planting shovel or tree-planting spade, you can effectively dig a hole for your tree-planting project.

Good Techniques for Effective Shovel & Spade Usage

Your technique and how you wield it are just as important as the tool. You should always plan and be methodical about it. Assess the site and ensure the shovel is not too dry or wet. Equip yourself with the right size shovel or the right type of tree planting spade. As you dig, you can get caught up in a frenzy to finish, but always try to maintain good posture. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, your back straight, and use your legs to lift instead of your back. This will help you maintain a good posture and avoid throwing out your back. As long as you have the ideal shovel length and type, it will greatly increase your tree-planting productivity.

Use a Wheelbarrow For Tree Planting

Essential Tips for Loading and Transporting Trees

A wheelbarrow is a handy tool that you can use to load and transport trees that would be far too heavy for you to carry on your own. However, it does require careful technique so you can stay safe, as well as work quickly. Before you load your chosen tree into the wheelbarrow, make sure your wheelbarrow is facing in the direction you want it to go. You don’t want to turn it with a heavy object inside; that would defeat the whole purpose of making the transportation process easier. For smaller trees, try to tilt the wheelbarrow down on one side to create an incline. This allows you to roll the tree into the wheelbarrow easily. Consider having an extra hand on board or a ramp to help load larger ones.

As you transport the tree, maintain a proper posture by keeping your back straight. Use your legs to propel yourself forward instead. If you are on uneven terrain, avoid moving over rough or uneven ground. If there is no other way to avoid the rough patch, move slowly to avoid tripping or tipping the wheelbarrow. If you encounter large dips or hills, you can push forward and push down the handles for better control, then lean slightly forward and push the handles down as you make your way back up. Once you are ready to plant your tree, you can gently tilt your load out of the wheelbarrow to your desired location.

Other Ways to Use a Wheelbarrow For Your Tree Planting

Once you plant your tree, don’t cast your wheelbarrow to the side yet! You can still use it. Your wheelbarrow can be used in a few other ways that will help make your tree-planting process faster and easier. You can use it to move soil, compost, or mulch to the planting site. Better yet, you can combine all these elements in your wheelbarrow before applying them to your newly planted tree. You can use it to collect other things besides dirt and trees. You can use it to transport water, your other tools and equipment, and even carry and discard any leftover debris or materials once your tree is planted.

Use a Digging Bar For Tree Planting

Techniques for Effective Use of a Digging Bar

A digging bar is a useful tool that you can utilize for your tree planting. It can help enhance your ability to create suitable holes for your tree, especially in tough soils. First, you should choose the right type of bar for the job. For example, a digging bar with a chisel at the end is great for cutting through roots and compacted soil. A digging bar with a pointed end is useful for breaking up hard ground. No matter what type of digging bar you go with, aim for one 4 -7 feet long since it is the best length for most tree-planting jobs. Once you have your digging bar, you can create a hole in the ground. You can effectively dig your hole by shoving it hard into the ground. You can easily maneuver it to remove rocks in your way as you dig. As you dig with it, ensure it reaches the proper width and depth to fit your tree. The simple rule of thumb is to make sure your hole is twice as wide and half again as deep as the root ball of your tree. This ensures healthy root development for it.

How Digging Bars Compare with Other Tree Planting Tools

Digging bars offer unique advantages and can be used with other digging tools like shovels and spades. Digging bars can break up ground, especially hard, rocky ground, more easily than shovels and spades. It can also create far deeper holes with much more precision. You can use it to loosen the soil, then switch to your trusty tree-planting shovel to scoop away the loose soil. Using a digging bar instead of a power tool like an auger for small tree-planting projects is far less expensive. Just keep in mind other factors that could affect its usefulness like the type of soil you’re working with, the size hole you need to make, and if you need to plant a lot of trees or just one or two.