Our Tree Spades in the USA:

Truck Mounted

Loader Mounted

Trailer Mounted

Skid Steer Attachment

Tractor Attachment

Custom Spades

Tree Spades: Your Key to Efficient and Effective Tree Transplantation

Anyone in the tree farming industry knows having top-quality equipment is non-negotiable. When it comes to tree transplantation, a subpar tree spade just won’t cut it. You need a tree spade that’s reliable, durable, and designed to make your job easier. 

Big John Manufacturing is the leading tree spades manufacturer in the USA with over 40 years of experience. We understand your challenges and frustrations and are here to provide solutions. Our tree spades are designed and built to be your key to efficient and effective tree transplantation. 

BIG Promises from BIG JOHN

Proven Durability

BIG JOHN tree spades and tree moving accessories operate for decades with minimal maintenance. Some of our first customers are still operating their spades today, 40 years later. Our spades are proven, decade after decade.

When you buy a BIG JOHN, you’re buying more than just a tree spade. You’re joining the BIG JOHN family and getting a team of tree spade experts on your side to help you grow your business. We’ll be here to help for the life of the spade—which can be decades.

Our history with spades runs deep with the original idea for a tree spade from John May. He invented and patented a tree spade with curvilinear towers and four spoon shaped blades that lead to the first BIG JOHN models. Today, we constantly improve on that original design with innovative changes directly influenced by the needs of our customers. We designed our first spade from start to finish—and do the same today.

Whether you’re just getting started with moving trees with a tree spade or expanding your tree spade lineup, our spades offer a range of optional features that give you the robust package you need at the right price. Our spades are often more cost-efficient than the competition because you can get the features you need, not what you don’t.

Proven results from Proud BIG JOHN Owners

I would definitely recommend the Big John tree spades to anyone looking for a reliable, efficient and robust digging machine. The style and design of the Big John 90D proved to be way better and allowed for more down pressure in much harder ground than the other manufacturers’ spade.

Stephen Jones

Friendly service, straight to the point type. Check’m’out!

Robert Dobbins

Amazing and reliable machines.

Lukáš Kaprál

Big John has been the back bone of our company for 30 years now. They are high in quality, durability, dependability, and affordability. Great response from parts and service if needed. Still moving trees in north east Florida.

Keith Kirker

Quality-built Tree Spades made by an American company with a proven track record since the 1970’s.

After owning 3 different manufacturers of Tree Spades I realized I needed to use the Big John brand so I could be more efficient No other manufacturer offers the tree pod capability of taking multiple trees to the job site with 1 trip. Fuel is expensive and time isn’t cheap!

Fred Heckman

Fantastic company with people who care about your business and their products are first class with the service to back them up.

Bryon Rahn

How to Choose a Big John Tree Spade

Two things pick the model: the trunk caliper of the largest trees you plan to move, and the machine that will carry the spade. Start with the carrier you own or plan to buy, then match the caliper.

The model figures below come from each model’s spec sheet. Click a model for its full specifications.

Tree Spades by Carrier

Carrier Caliper, rootball Models
Skid steer 1 to 5 in., 20 to 54 in. Model 20, 28, 36, 40, 44, 48, 54
Trailer 1 to 7 in., 44 to 62 in. 44DTG, 54, 55DTD, 65DTD
Truck 3 to 14 in., 42 to 100 in. 45D, 55D, 65D, 80D, 90D, 90DAG, 90DLP, 100D
Loader 1 to 12 in., 42 to 100 in. 42DL, 52DL, 62DL, 80DL, 90DL, 90DLLP, 100DL
Tractor, 3-point hitch Sized on request Ask the team
  • Skid steer: prepared-ground nursery digging. The spades weigh 1,200 to 3,000 lbs and need a minimum hydraulic drive of 10 to 16 GPM.
  • Trailer: self-contained, tow-along spades for landscapers, municipal crews and occasional use. The 55DTD and 65DTD ride on a 236 in. trailer.
  • Truck: nurseries through professional movers of mature trees, with an on-board water tank for unprepared ground. The 45D runs on a single-axle truck; the 55D through the 90 series need a tandem axle.
  • Loader: tough and sandy soils, with the flexibility to keep using other loader attachments. The 52DL and up need a 20 GPM minimum drive, and most DL models ship with blank attaching plates.
  • Tractor, 3-point hitch: prepared soil and tree nurseries. Mounts on the front or back of most tractors. The DL loader models also list tractors as a host machine.

Tree Spades by Trunk Caliper

Find the trunk caliper you move most, then read across to your carrier. Each cell lists the models rated for that size.

Trunk caliper Skid steer Trailer Truck Loader
1 to 2 in. Models 20 to 54 44DTG None 42DL
3 in. Models 28 to 54 44DTG 45D 42DL
4 in. Models 40 to 54 44DTG, 55DTD 45D 42DL, 52DL
5 in. Models 48 and 54 55DTD 55D 52DL
6 in. None 65DTD 55D, 65D 52DL, 62DL
7 in. None 65DTD 65D, 80D 62DL
8 to 10 in. None None 80D 80DL
10 to 12 in. None None 90D, 90DAG, 90DLP 90DL, 90DLLP
12 to 14 in. None None 100D Ask

Tractor 3-point hitch spades are made to fit your machine, and the 100DL loader spade digs a 100-inch rootball, so ask the team for a match on either.

New or Used

A new Big John spade lets you choose the optional features you need and skip the ones you don’t. If budget comes first, the used tree spades for sale page lists trade-in and demo units, including models no longer in production. Units sell, so check the current list before you call.

Size Before You Shop

Measure caliper 6 inches above the ground on trunks up to 4 inches, and 12 inches above the ground on larger trunks. Then enter it in the tree caliper to rootball calculator for a recommended rootball width, a weight estimate and a matching model.

Read the Buying Guide

Before you commit, the tree spade buying guide walks through blade configuration, carrier compatibility, total cost of ownership and a pre-purchase checklist.

Choosing a Tree Spade: Common Questions

What size tree spade do I need?

Size the spade to the largest trunk caliper you move, not the average. For 6-inch trees, that points to the 55D or 65D truck spade, the 65DTD trailer spade, or the 52DL or 62DL loader spade.

What is the largest tree a skid steer spade can move?

Big John skid steer spades handle trees from 1 to 5 inches in caliper. The Model 48 and Model 54 cover the 5-inch end, with 48 and 54-inch rootballs. Past 5 inches, step up to a trailer, truck or loader spade. The skid steer tree spade guide covers hydraulic flow and mounting.

Do you build tree spades for tractors?

Yes. The 3-point hitch tree spade mounts on the front or back of most tractors and suits prepared soil and nurseries. The DL loader-mounted models also list tractors as a host machine. Contact the team to match a model to your tractor.

What is the largest tree a Big John spade can move?

The 100D truck spade is rated for 12 to 14-inch trees with a 100-inch rootball that runs about 68 inches deep and weighs roughly 15,000 to 18,000 lbs. The 100DL loader spade digs the same 100-inch rootball.