Root Pruning Kit

[NickfromWI]

I want to put together a kit/toolbag of things to have available when removing/fixing girdling roots. I've done quite a bit already by using whatever tools I have available to me- pruners (which get sharpened a lot!), hand saw, then the rest are crude tools that shouldn't be near the base of a tree (hammer...screwdriver...).

I'm thinking having a chisel or 2 or 3 available would be nice. And 2 brushes...a big one to move handfuls of soil at a time, and a smaller more precise one for cleaning out crevices between roots so I can fit my pruning tools in there.

Are there some obvious things I am missing here? What size/shape chisel would be best? I'm thinking something short would be easier to handle. Also, most chisels are shaped like this: ] on the end...and maybe one shaped like ) would be better?...or like the ] but with rounded edges?...then, I've seen some that are scooped (like if you cut a drinking straw lengthwise)...

Any thoughts? What do you use?

love
nick

[Old Monkey]

I don't have a rounded chisel. I use a 1/2 chisel and go through several times at different angles to get a rounded effect. I would add some sort of clawed digging device.

[top hopper]

I use....

A root pruning saw,
1/4", 1/2" and 1" woodchisel set
small mallet
small hand trowel
small gardening claw
3 piece brush set
kneepads

I keep it all together in a small wooden crate

One thing Ive been meaning to add to the kit is an ergonomic hand trowel, (the one Rainbow tree sells)

[Ax-Man]

I was over at the U. of Minn. website checking out something and they had a little section on root collor excavation using a garden hose with one of those wet/dry shop vacs. I don't know how good it would work but sounded like a good idea at least for the smaller trees. There was some other tips there too.

[Paul B]

pulaski? I have a mini pulaski type thing, felco #4 (the old ones), silky root pruning saw, I think its pro sentei? maybe gomtaro with the funny blade, a couple of plastic hand trowels and a hose end sweeper nozzle (directs the hose water through an opening about 1/4" wide).

[top hopper]

I was over at the U. of Minn. website checking out something and they had a little section on root collor excavation using a garden hose with one of those wet/dry shop vacs. I don't know how good it would work but sounded like a good idea at least for the smaller trees. There was some other tips there too.

Ive considered the shop vac.....

[billcutstrees]

An axe.

[NickfromWI]

Is this the root pruning saw y'all're (I love the double contraction!) talking about?

http://www.silkystore.com/Secure/eCo...og.asp?prdc=12

love
nick

[Paul B]

Gomtaro 240mm dual blade, fine and coarse teeth . but the one you show is probably fine Nick. its a saw you need to admit is going to get beat up cutting in dirt is all I figure.

[treelooker]

I start with a 200t. I;'ll be showing a vid of it in use on a chestnut root friday morning. seminars are boring, HAH!

nick a chisel with a right angle can be useful. A loppers is essential. why dull your felcos in the dirt. seldom have the angle to stroke a saw.