Airspade Tree Root Investigation

Airspades are pneumatic excavation tools that use compressed air to loosen and remove soil and dirt around sensitive objects. They are perfect for using around tree roots because they can remove material around the roots and expose them without causing damage, something that is very difficult to do when excavating using traditional mechanical methods. Airspade tools are used to excavate trenches to look for tree root locations, excavate around the root collars of trees with suspected decay and for installing utilities through the root network of trees and not having to cut through the roots.

An airspade tool is used for several purposes in tree management, horticulture and landscaping:

• Root exploration: An airspade can be used to safely and accurately excavate soil from around tree roots, allowing for examination and assessment of root systems without causing damage to the roots.
• Soil aeration: The high-velocity air stream produced by an airspade can be used to aerate compacted soil, improving soil structure and water and nutrient uptake by roots.
• Root pruning: An airspade can be used to remove roots without damaging them, allowing for root pruning to control root growth and reduce competition with nearby structures or utilities.
• Root stimulation: The air blast from an airspade can also stimulate root growth by removing soil and exposing roots to air and water.
• Tree transplanting: An airspade can be used to loosen soil around the roots of a tree prior to transplanting, making it easier to remove the tree without damaging the roots.

In general, the airspade is a versatile tool that provides a safe and effective way to explore, manage, and care for tree roots.

Yes, an AirSpade is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional excavation methods. It produces no carbon emissions or noise pollution, and it reduces the risk of damage to surrounding vegetation and structures.

We work with your arboricultural consultant or planners to investigate either; areas that you plan to build into the RPA or the whole of the RPA to establish the total extent of the rooting area. We can do this either using an airspade to excavate trial pits or our Tree Radar Unit ™ that uses ground penetrating radar to locate and plot tree roots.

Root barriers are used to prevent the roots of trees from growing into an area that could cause them to damage infrastructure. Typically, we install root barriers around driveways, drainage systems or the foundations of houses. The root barriers we use are made in the UK from recycled Plastic fishing nets and are a permanent solution.

Certain types of decay fungus such as meripilus spp affect the bottom of the trees, also know as the root collar or buttress area. With our Airspade tool we can sensitively excavate this area to assess the extent of decay to help inform management decisions.

In addition to Trial Pit Investigations, Root Collar investigations and Installation of Root Barriers we are also able to help install fencing, utilities and services through the RPA’s of trees. Where trees are protected from damage it is important to remember that this includes excavation for utilities or even fence post holes. We can carefully excavate around tree roots to provide suitable locations for the installation of these, without causing damage.