[Stonehenge]

Tree spade is supposed to glaze the hole, making it harder on the roots. B&B seems to have more involved in planting (i.e. I can't just stand there and watch the tree go into the ground ).

Do you have a preference? If you do, is your preference based on tree health or ease of installation/cost of installation?

These were some 4" trees we planted this fall, B&B.

[scl]

Tree spade is so easy, but depends on access. B&B is more practical and plant availabiltiy is greater.
If I had my druthers I'd do them all with a spade. heck, I'd plant annuals with a shrub if it were practical LOL
I have noticed with some maples that growth will ceases for a year if spaded, just have to make sure you get good size ball.

[dan deutekom]

That is a loaded question. When you are doing trees that have a root ball that is bigger than about 36" there is nothing better than to watch a tree spade doing the work. What I have found in our area it is getting next to impossible to find a "true" B&B tree. Most have been dug with tree spades and dropped into a lined wire basket. I think overall a treespade is probably easier on the tree than digging and balling it. Much less chance of the rootball breaking. As far as glazing the sides of the ball and the hole, I don't think it makes a lot of difference. One of the things I hate is the fact that you have to leave the wire basket in the ground with the tree. It just dosn't seem right although I have never seen it do any harm.

[site]

Trees moved by spade seem to reestablish more quickly, but usually there isn't much choice- unless the job is REALLY close to the grower.

[Dale Wiley]

Around here all trees are usually dug with a spade or digger. Placed in wire baskets and burlapped.

We have planted hundreds pof trees over the years and have very little problems.

Most of ours are in the 2 inch size range with a 28 inch ball and we usually dig the hole with a Dingo 32 inch auger.Take a pick and chip the sides a little and we usually use a compost mix to backfill.

If we go bigger than 2.5 inch, we usually dig with a backhoe and stick the teeth in the sides a couple of places. We had a 99% survival rate on all plants last year.