Posted by Spartan Equipment on 11th Dec 2025

Moving a tree sounds simple until you’ve actually tried it. Anyone who’s ever stood in a yard, shovel in hand, staring at a full-grown tree knows the truth: trees do not want to move. Their roots run deep, wide, tangled, and messy. And once you damage them, good luck keeping that tree alive.

That’s why people who do landscaping, land clearing, nursery work, and even construction started leaning hard on skid steer loaders and especially on one attachment that’s become a bit of a quiet hero: the skid loader tree spade.

It’s not flashy. It doesn’t scream for attention. But wow, does it make the job faster, safer, and a whole lot less backbreaking.

Let’s break it down the way normal people actually talk about equipment, not the polished brochure talk.

What Makes a Skid Steer So Useful in the First Place?

If you’ve worked with one, you already know a skid steer loader is basically the Swiss Army knife of job sites. It can squeeze into tight spaces, spin practically on the spot, and swap attachments like it’s changing hats.

One minute it’s grading dirt. Next minute, it’s lifting pallets. Then suddenly it’s trenching, sweeping, pushing, drilling, or whatever the day throws at it.

And that’s exactly why skid steer loader use keeps expanding every year. Every time someone comes up with a new attachment, these little machines get even more valuable.

Among all those attachments, a tree spade stands out because it solves one of the oldest, most painful problems in landscaping: how do you move a tree without killing it or your back?

Why Tree Moving Is Harder Than It Looks

Anyone can dig up a sapling. That’s easy. Even a teenager with mild motivation can manage it.

But an established tree? Different story.

Here’s what usually goes wrong when people try to do it the old-fashioned way:

• You slice through too many roots.
• The root ball falls apart when you lift it.
• You underestimate how heavy the thing is.
• Someone twists a wrist or pulls a shoulder.
• The tree dries out or goes into shock.
• The digging takes forever and ends with cursing.

A tree isn’t just a trunk. It’s an ecosystem. Damage the roots, and the whole thing collapses.

So landscapers needed something faster, cleaner, more precise, and hopefully safer for everyone involved. That’s when the skid loader tree spade came in and changed the game.

What a Skid Loader Tree Spade Actually Does

Think of a tree spade as a giant metal hand, except instead of fingers, it has curved blades. These blades cut into the ground around the tree and scoop out a perfectly shaped root ball.

No crumbling dirt.
No awkward lifting.
No hours of digging.

You drive up, position the skid loader, press a lever, and the blades slice down like buttering warm bread. Suddenly, the whole tree, roots intact, is ready to be transplanted.

It’s weirdly satisfying to watch. Even more satisfying when you realize how much time you just saved.

How It Makes the Tree Move Faster

1. Zero guesswork digging

A tree spade digs the right shape every single time. Symmetrical. Clean. Deep enough. Wide enough.

Humans? Not so much. One guy digs too shallow. Another goes too wide. Someone else hits a root and panics. A machine doesn’t panic.

2. Cuts through roots without shredding them

The blades slice cleanly, which puts less stress on the tree. Clean cuts heal. Jagged tears… not so much.

3. Lift, transport, and plant with the same machine

This is where the skid steer shines.
You dig with it.
You lift with it.
You drive the tree to its new spot.
You plant it all with one machine.

Fewer tools. Fewer hands. Much faster work.

4. Works in tight spaces

Backyards. Nurseries. Construction sites are squeezed between two buildings. A skid steer can maneuver where a big tractor or excavator can’t.

When you’re trying to save a tree that’s wedged between fences and patios, that mobility is priceless.

5. Cuts project time dramatically

A job that used to take an hour now takes minutes.

Multiply that over a full day’s work and suddenly you’re not just saving time, you’re increasing profits, lowering labor fatigue, and completing more jobs without killing your crew.

How It Makes Tree Moving Safer

Speed matters, sure. But safety? That’s huge. Trees are heavy. A root ball can weigh more than you think, and all it takes is one slip to cause a serious injury.

The skid loader tree spade fixes that in a few ways:

1. No manual lifting

No straining your back.
No, trying to balance a massive dirt ball in your hands.
No “watch your fingers!” moments.

The machine does all the heavy lifting. Literally.

2. Fewer workers are crowding around the tree

More people = more chances for someone to get hurt.
A tree spade lets one operator manage the whole move from a safe position inside the cab.

3. Less risk of the root ball collapsing

A collapsing root ball doesn’t just kill the tree; it can drop on someone’s foot or leg. The blades hold everything together like a cradle.

4. More predictable movement

You know exactly how the tree will lift and how it will sit in the spade. No shifting weight. No sudden tilting.

5. Better stability during transport

The skid steer’s low center of gravity makes it easier to carry weight safely across uneven ground.

All in all, the machine eliminates most of the dangerous stuff humans usually deal with.

Where Skid Loader Tree Spades Are Used the Most

Tree spades pop up in all sorts of industries, sometimes in places you wouldn’t expect. Here are the main ones:

Landscaping companies

Moving trees from one spot to another, planting mature trees to add instant shade, and redesigning yards, this is everyday work for landscapers.

Tree nurseries

When you’re moving thousands of trees, doing it by hand isn’t even an option.

Construction and development sites

Builders sometimes need to relocate trees instead of removing them. A tree spade makes that possible.

City and municipal parks

Public spaces often relocate trees to make room for paths, playgrounds, and upgrades.

Golf courses

They’re always tweaking the layout; trees get moved constantly.

Environmental restoration projects

Teams use spades to transplant native trees into damaged or recovering ecosystems.

If the job involves trees and tight spaces, a skid steer with a tree spade attachment is almost always nearby.

What to Look For in a Good Skid Loader Tree Spade

If you’re thinking about adding one to your equipment lineup, here’s what actually matters (and what a lot of people overlook):

1. Blade thickness and strength

Thin blades bend. Cheap blades dull quickly. You want a spade that stays sharp and holds its shape.

2. Hydraulic power compatibility

Make sure your skid steer can run it without struggling.

3. Frame reinforcement

Tree roots can be stubborn. A reinforced frame prevents twisting.

4. Easy controls

The last thing you want is a fussy attachment that takes forever to line up.

5. Weld quality

Weak welds = broken equipment = downtime.

6. Maintenance access

Grease points shouldn’t require yoga-level flexibility to reach.

7. Warranty and support

A good manufacturer stands behind their attachments.

Why Skid Steer Loader Use Keeps Growing Every Year

Because the machines just work. They’re compact, powerful, customizable, and affordable. And every new attachment, especially something as useful as a tree spade, makes skid steers even more valuable.

A crew with a skid steer can do the work of multiple workers in a fraction of the time. That’s the kind of efficiency everyone wants, whether you run a small landscaping business or manage commercial land-clearing operations.

And honestly, once you’ve used a tree spade, it’s hard to go back to digging by hand. Your employees won’t want to, and neither will your schedule.

Final Thoughts

A skid loader tree spade isn’t the flashiest attachment out there, but it’s one of the most quietly powerful. It saves trees, saves time, saves backs, and saves money.

And in an industry where every job is on a deadline, and clients want things done “yesterday,” any tool that speeds you up without sacrificing quality is worth its weight in gold.

If you move trees regularly, even a few times a month, this attachment will pay for itself faster than you think.

Ready to Make Tree Moving Faster, Safer, and Way Less Stressful?

Check out high-quality skid loader tree spades and other attachments at Spartan Equipment. Tough builds. Long-lasting gear. Made for real job sites, not showroom floors.

Explore attachments at Spartan Equipment

FAQs

1. Can a skid steer really move big trees safely?

Yes. As long as the tree is within the size rating of the spade, skid steers handle the weight well. It’s actually safer than moving trees manually.

2. Does a tree spade damage the roots?

It cuts some roots, but the cuts are clean, which helps the tree recover. It’s far less damaging than manual digging.

3. What size skid steer do I need for a tree spade?

It depends on the spade size. Larger blades need more hydraulic power and lifting capacity. Always match the attachment to your machine.

4. Can tree spades work in tight backyards?

Yes. That’s one of the biggest advantages of using a skid steer instead of a larger machine like an excavator.

5. How long does it take to move a tree with a skid steer spade?

A few minutes. Maybe longer if you’re repositioning, but still dramatically faster than digging by hand.