Tree spade vs. balled & burlapped
The Spade Advantage
A mechanical tree spade moves a bigger tree, with a bigger ball and more of the original roots, than a retail nursery B&B or container tree.
Side by side
A retail B&B or container tree next to our 44-, 65-, and 90-inch tree spades. A small or medium tree can go on a larger spade, with year-round success.
| Retail B&B or container tree | 44" tree spade | 65" tree spade | 90" tree spade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SizeTree size | Very small | Small | Medium | Large |
| Tree diameter / height | 1.5–2.5" dia / 5–10 ft | 3–4" dia / 10–15 ft | 4–6" dia / 15–20 ft | 6–12" dia / 20–35 ft |
| Root ball dimensions | 24–30" dia | 44" dia | 65" dia | 90" dia |
| Root ball weight | 200–400 lbs | 1,200 lbs | 4,000 lbs | 12,000 lbs |
| CostPrice includes | Tree only — install is extra | Tree and install | Tree and install | Tree and install |
| Survivability% of original roots after digging | 50% | 85% | 85% | 85% |
| Survivability | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Replacement guarantee | Rarely | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transplant shock | Moderate | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
| Staking | Recommended | No | No | No |
| Plant maintenance | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Time above ground | Unknown | Freshly dug | Freshly dug | Freshly dug |
Bottom line
Trees we install with a mechanical tree spade, compared with retail nursery trees.
- Locally grown and adapted to our soil and climate — nursery origin is unknown
- Bigger trees
- Price includes the tree and the install
- Fertilization and tree trunk protectors are available with installation
- More roots — about 85% of the original roots stay with the tree
- A small or medium tree can be dug with a larger spade, year-round
- Spade trucks and tree pod trailers deliver multiple trees to your site in one trip
- Minimal transplant shock
- Less watering and maintenance
- Excellent survivability
- Replacement guarantee
- No staking required
- Instant shade, beauty, privacy, and value
When we B&B
For DIY pickup and for shipping, the tree is freshly dug with an oversized root ball — a 44-, 65-, or 90-inch spade ball, not a 24- to 30-inch nursery basket. That extra soil and root is what gives the tree its best chance.
We never pre-dig. We never set a tree in a holding lot. It comes out of the field when it is going to you.
When the tree has to shipPlant it with the spade.
Serving KC Metro and 200+ miles. Call (816) 679-1946 or send the estimate form.