Idea for a tree aerator.

[burnandreturn]

If I took a probe and probed for big roots and marked a "clear" spot. Why couldn't I build a three inch tube that connects to my jack hammer. It would have a foot pedal to clear the plug when you pull it out. Making nice clean 3 inch holes to fill with what ever? The biggest problem I see would be root damage. But it would be really fast.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by burnandreturn
The biggest problem I see would be root damage. But it would be really fast.

Faster than an auger, but the same problem with root damage.

Let's face it, air tools are the way to go.

 

[burnandreturn]

I have an air excavater. Just thought this might be quicker and less messy.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Besides damaging roots you would most likely damage the soil structure in the plug. Do some research into soil glazing. Tree spades to a great job of glazing the soil structure. Spading into any soil that is in the clay corner of the soil triangle is setting the tree up for failure.

Tom

 

[arboromega]

yeah i agree with tom, if you want to help tree roots use the air tools.
but i will say tom that have planted thsnds of trees with large tree transplanters and had a very high sucess rate. they are great tools, but clay does glaze so i would use a abbrassive tool to score the soil prior to instalation

 

[arboromega]

oops sorry guy, i guess i was greeing with you comment first...

 

[bushman]

Why are you aerating the tree for ferting or moving

 

[burnandreturn]

For root compaction.

 

[bushman]

The air spade will do the best job for compaction.then mix compost or a slow release granular fert. then cover with some chips or a mulch.I have augered trees with a stil auger that works great but works you a little.auger every 1.5 to 2 apart and use a compost to backfill hole and stay away from the base of tree and do the process to the the dripline of the tree.