I need to dig some holes in soft wet clay soil with lots of small tree roots in it. I've got a variety of spades, including a heavy narrow one for digging drains, but the roots make it very difficult to make progress. When I hit the roots with a spade they sink into the soil rather than cutting cleanly.
What's the best way of dealing with roots? Is there a special kind of spade that will cut through them easily? Should I sharpen the edge of a spade with an angle grinder?
I've used a two handled post hole digger very effectively to cut through root infested soil. Sharpening won't hurt, unless you hit your foot of course. ;-)
Tim
Have you tried a grub axe?
Digging holes Aussie style
Colin Bignell
Start with sharpening the spade, that should cope with thin roots. If that fails look at a heavy azada for relatively shallow (
Or a mattock in English...
Regards JonH
Well, actually no. A mattock is a lighter tool. A grub axe has a heavy mattock-type blade on one side, and an axe blade on the other. Designed especially for grubbing out tree roots and stumps.
that's one way. I often cut them with pruning shears
+1 & sharpen it with an angle grinder.
Zappa in Italian.
Known as a Mad Axe when I used to do landscaping work...
Frank? Is that you?
Indeed, I am frank.
What you need is a mattock. Like a pickaxe with a broad chopping blade.
Or an Adze. You may need to cut along the length of the root rather than tr y to chop straight through it so whatever you decide on should have the hea d angled to allow this.
But having a mattcok I'd sharpen it well and keep it exclusively for cuttin g the roots as hitting stones with it will not improve its cutting ability
I use a bolster (the long handled variety would make it easier) with a club hammer. Then again it's a job I rarely need to do
?? you describe two forms of mattock - pick & axe
Jim K
A grubbing mattock is the thing for digging in difficult soils. Chop up an are with it first then shovel out, repeat as necessary.
Meet Ernest.
My understanding of a grub axe:
My understanding of a mattock:
Different folks may have different names for them.
I was digging a planting hole near some trees today & used a mattock to get through the roots.
The tool I would really like now is something to scoop the loose soil from the bottom of the planting hole. Something like a broad, scooped trowel blade set at an angle to a 14 - 16 inch long handle.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required