anyone have tree spade experience?

[nmmountainman]

I am looking to get some input on tree spade use. I am wanting to do some tree transplanting. I have a thread under the dozer section titled " dozer suggestions", if you havn't read it you can take a look. I have some land in the national forest and I am wanting to transplant trees. I might end up getting a track loader or a wheel'd loader w/ a hoe. If so I would like to get a tree spade for it. I would like to hear from some of those who have done some tree spade work, but havn't heard from anyone with any tree spade experience.
Thanks,
Fred

[Countryboy]

I don't have experience myself but here's a site that is a good starting point for information. All their contact info is on the site. You can navigate the site from the bottom of the page I linked.

Dutch's Tree Spade (http://www.dutchmasternurseries.com/Picturegallery.htm)

Here's a video: Tree spade (http://www.dutchmasternurseries.com/Video%20Files/treespadeweb.wmv)

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[KSSS]

Tree spading is popular up here as you might imagine. The two most popular methods are using a large skid steer or wheel loader, and of course truck mounted units. The guys that do that around here buy up property and thin the trees. They sell the trees (big money) and usually resell the property. Pretty good gig. The biggest company in this area uses CASE 465's with steel tracks and stabilizers. The tree spades are mostly 50" Big Johns. There is another company that uses a TK 150 tracked machine that is heavily weighted down as well. The skid steers work great for getting around on the property without tearing everything up and of course the terrain here is rugged making a skid steer or CTL better for navigating the terrain. The wheel loaders work very well if you have enough room. What type of equipment you would need would be dependant on how rugged the terrain is and how big the trees are. If they are smaller trees you would not need such large skid steers and tree spades.

[Noose]

Does any one know who makes a trailer mounted rig. I seen one rolling behind a pickup going the other direction and I couldn't see much aside from the fact it was a good size spade.

[nmmountainman]

Countryboy-
Great site and vid!
KSSS-
I am wanting to do similar to what you desribed but instead of selling the trees, I want to transplant them to thin out some of my more dense forest and overall increase my forested acres. I also want to bring in new species to increase the diversity. I think this should really add to the monetary and aesthetic value of the land!

[joispoi]

how big are the trees?

[nmmountainman]

diameter anywere from 3-8in, but heigth could be 20-40ft, there growing like weeds all straight up and fighting for light.

[John H]

We have a guy at work with a lot of spade experience. I think he is going to join this site. I'll tell him tommrow you'r looking for help.

[Noose]

We had Bobcat's tree spade on an S250 and 10-15 foot spruce trees made the ass end pretty light. Our yard is mostly clay and when we were punching the holes, we had a tough time sinking the teeth in. Outriggers would have helped a bit more.
I would sure like to get into a truck mounted tree spade. One guy up here is charging $150/hr

[iron kid]

i had a vemer 44 wiuld move a 3-5 inch trunk and the tree would have a 90% chane of living
try not to pull them from the woods and transpant them in open spaces, it cooks them almost ever time
used a skid loader 40" too put on a 287 cat and it was a load
the guy i sold mine to bought a 90 for moiving bigger trees and moving stuff all year long instead of just in the fall and spring

[stumpjumper83]

someone once told me this, and I think they are right, skidsteers are not balanced for runing spades. A skid is designed to lift, not apply down pressure. Of course thay can do this but, I think its best left to larger machines.

[JimBruce42]

If money isn't an option... there is always this http://www.americaninfrastructure.com/greendev/aboutts.htm:drinkup:usa:cool2:notworthy

[VjjR]

transplanting from forest service land? what is the land for? do you have the rights to log it? i ask because i would really think it is illegal to spade trees from national forest.