An air spade is a special tool arborists use to care for a tree’s roots without damaging them.
Why Do Arborists Use Air Spades?
Sometimes arborists need to provide special care to a tree’s roots. We need to expose the tree’s roots, and how the soil is removed matters. Traditional digging tools like shovels and picks have their place. But for many types of root work, arborists are increasingly relying on air excavation tools, commonly called air spades. At A Good Morning Tree Service, this approach allows us to address root-related issues with far less disruption to the tree.
How Do Air Spades Work?
An air spade, sometimes called a pneumatic excavation tool, uses compressed air to loosen and remove soil without cutting or tearing roots. The air displaces soil particles while deflecting off solid objects like roots, utilities, and hardscape. This allows arborists to expose and work around roots with a much lower risk of damage.
Do Roots Need Special Care?
Digging with traditional tools can easily damage tree roots, especially the tree’s fine feeder roots. Feeder roots play a major role in water and nutrient uptake, and cutting or tearing them can stress the tree and slow its recovery. Air spades remove soil without severing roots, helping preserve the root system during inspection or corrective work.
Air excavation exposes the roots cleanly, and makes it easier to see what’s actually happening below the ground. This is especially important when diagnosing buried root flares, girdling or circling roots, planting depth issues, or localized decline. Clear visibility allows arborists to base decisions on observed conditions rather than assumptions.
Traditional digging can compact surrounding soil as workers stand and move around the excavation area. That compaction restricts oxygen and water movement in the soil, which can further stress trees. Air spades loosen soil without adding significant compaction. This is especially helpful when the root zone is already stressed or compacted.
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We use air spades to excavate roots near sidewalks, foundations, irrigation lines, and underground utilities. The air deflects off solid objects, so there is a lower risk of accidental damage compared to mechanical digging tools. This makes air excavation well suited for work in tight or sensitive areas.
Air Spade Benefits
Air spades don’t replace traditional digging tools, but they allow arborists to perform certain types of root work with greater accuracy and far less risk to the tree. By minimizing root damage and improving visibility, air excavation supports better diagnosis and more effective long term solutions.
If you have concerns about tree roots, soil compaction, or planting depth on your property, contact A Good Morning Tree Service. Our professional arborists can evaluate your tree’s situation and recommend appropriate next steps.
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