Recommended for Arborists
Arbor & Landscape Tools
Purpose-built for arboricultural work, AirSpade tools deliver safe, precise excavation and are trusted by certified arborists for a wide range of tree-care applications.
Model Lineup
Compare Arbor Series
Compare key features, specifications, and recommended applications to find the right Arbor AirSpade for you.
| Feature |  AirSpade 2000 |  AirSpade 5000 |
|---|---|---|
|
Typical Use | Root excavation, tree care, landscape, and soil work | Root excavation, tree care, landscape, and soil work |
|
Handle & Control | AS 2000 angled handle: 45-degree profile with ergonomic pistol-grip | AS 5000 in-line handle: vertical grip orientation |
|
Component Materials | Stainless steel supersonic nozzle; standard hardware | Stainless steel supersonic nozzle; standard hardware |
|
Non-Sparking Components | ✕ | ✕ |
|
Non-Conductive Fiberglass Barrel | ✓ | ✓ |
|
300kV-Rated Utility Barrel | ✕ | ✕ |
|
Adjustable Dirt Shield Included | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Available Nozzle Sizes | 25, 60, 105, 150, 225 cfm | 25, 60, 105, 150, 225 cfm |
| Shop AirSpade 2000 | Shop AirSpade 5000 Arbor |
Arboriculture & Horticulture
Why Arborists
Choose AirSpade
Precision Excavation Inside the Root Zone
AirSpade is the premier air-powered soil excavation tool used worldwide by tree service companies and landscapers to maintain tree health. Its proprietary supersonic nozzle turns compressed air into a high-speed, laser-like jet that dislodges soil in a fraction of a second, without damaging roots.
Unlike mechanical excavation techniques, air spading efficiently removes or loosens soil without damaging a tree's delicate root system. There are several common reasons for requiring the use of an AirSpade, all of which open new possibilities for landscape stewardship and construction involving valuable, established trees.
The AirSpade can mitigate soil conditions that are unfavorable to a tree's health, including overly compacted, poorly drained, anaerobic, or chemically imbalanced soil, through a range of targeted air spading applications.
Common Applications
What Arborists
Use It For
From root collar excavation to root pruning and transplant preparation, AirSpade helps arborists perform critical tree-care applications without damaging roots.
-
Expose the trunk flare for diagnosis, girdling root identification and removal, and proper mulching depth assessment. The most common arborist application.
-
Learn ApplicationCreate deep aeration channels in compacted soil to restore gas exchange, water infiltration, and biological activity in degraded root zones.
-
Expose the full root system for transplanting, structural assessment, or treatment applications - with zero mechanical damage to fibrous roots.
-
Learn ApplicationFracture compacted soil layers under turf and hardscaping around trees to restore healthy root zone structure, drainage, and microbial activity.
-
Create trenches extending outward from the trunk to improve soil conditions, define root zones, and support long-term tree health.
-
Proper root pruning will encourage future growth and minimize negative
impacts to structures or utilities
Get the Arbor Technical Applications Bulletin
Download our free technical guide covering arbor applications, compressor requirements, field-tested excavation techniques, and tree-care best practices for non-destructive root excavation.
-
Learn How AirSpade Pays for Itself
From root collar excavation and vertical mulching to root pruning and soil aeration, AirSpade helps arborists offer specialized services that create new revenue opportunities while delivering measurable value to clients.
-
Learn More
Resources
Digging With AirSpade
AirSpade arbor tools work effectively in virtually all soils, including hard clays, with excavation speed varying by soil type and nozzle size.
Soil Characteristics
Learn how soil type affects AirSpade excavation performance, from stable rock to soft granular soils.
Call 811
Building a deck? Planting a tree? Installing a mailbox? 811 is the new number you should call before you begin any digging project.