Digging a Large Tree by Hand

Tools, Technique, and What Really Matters

Digging up a mature tree by hand isn’t pretty, it isn’t easy, and it definitely isn’t fast.
But it can be done with the right tools, the right approach, and realistic expectations.

In this video, I walk through the full process of digging a large magnolia tree by hand from sharpening tools, to trenching the root ball, to dealing with loose soil and getting burlap underneath without everything falling apart.

This is real-world nursery work, not theory.

The Most Important Tool for Digging Trees by Hand

Without question, the most important tool in this job is a nursery spade.

A good nursery spade is:

• Heavy
• All steel
• Sharp (or sharpened before you start)
• Built to cut roots, not bounce off them

Lightweight shovels are fine for planting flowers.
They are useless when you’re trying to cut through real roots.

Weight matters.
When you swing a heavy spade and put it in the ground, something happens.

That’s the difference.

Yes, a quality nursery spade costs money.
But if you don’t loan it to someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, it’ll last you forever.

Why Sharpening Your Spade Matters

Before the first shovel goes into the ground, the edge needs to be sharpened.

A sharp spade:

• Cuts roots cleanly instead of tearing them
• Saves energy
• Makes every swing more effective

If you’re hitting roots with a dull blade, you’re just wearing yourself out.

This step alone can be the difference between finishing the job and quitting halfway through.

Trenching Around the Tree Comes First

You don’t just start prying the tree out of the ground.

The process starts with:

• Digging a trench all the way around the tree
• Defining the root ball
• Gradually tapering inward as you go deeper

This gives you access to the roots so you can cut them intentionally instead of fighting them blindly.

It also keeps the root ball from collapsing early — at least as much as soil conditions allow.

Using a Narrow Spade for Cleanup Work

Once the trench is established, a narrower, lighter spade becomes useful.

This type of spade is great for:

• Cleaning out the trench
• Shaping the root ball
• Working in tight areas

It’s not designed to cut large roots or dig big trees — but it shines during the cleanup phase.

Every tool has a job.
Use the wrong one, and you’ll know it immediately.

Burlapping a Root Ball That Has No Bottom

This is where things get interesting.

In sandy or gravelly soil, you’re not going to get a perfect, firm root ball.
There’s just no way around that.

That’s why modern nurseries use:

• Mechanical tree spades
• Wire baskets lined with burlap

When you’re doing this by hand, you’re improvising.

Rope, burlap, gravity, and patience all come into play — and sometimes plan A turns into plan B.

And plan C.

And maybe plan D.

It’s not pretty, but the goal is simple:
Keep the root ball together long enough to move and replant it.

Moving a Heavy Tree Without Destroying Your Yard

Once the tree is free, it still has to be moved.

A garden slide makes this possible without:

• Tearing up the yard
• Destroying your back
• Fighting friction the whole way

It’s a simple tool, but when you’re moving something this heavy, simple tools make a big difference.

Real Nursery Work Isn’t Perfect — And That’s Okay

This isn’t a showroom demonstration.

The root ball isn’t perfect.
The burlap job isn’t pretty.
And there are plenty of people who could point out what they would have done differently.

That’s fine.

What matters is:

• The tree is intact
• The roots are protected
• The job gets done

That’s how real nursery work looks.

Final Thoughts

Digging a large tree by hand takes:

• The right tools
• The right order of operations
• And the willingness to adapt when things don’t go perfectly

If you’ve never done it before, this gives you a realistic look at what’s involved — not just the highlights.

And like I always say…

Stay inspired.