Product Focus: PLANTEM® Short Spear & Short Dibber - for speed planting tree & hedge saplings.

Following 2 years of research and development we are happy/relieved to launch our new Short Spear and Dibber, for speed planting of tree and hedge saplings.

Addressing some of the local conditions routinely faced here in the UK (planting on mounds, through turf or with cell grown saplings in hand) we’ve aimed to offer improved value to our customers to optimise performance.

Field tested at diverse locations across the UK last season with professional speed planters and contractors; bench testing just can’t compare to the repeated stresses and strains experienced on the patch when planting thousands per day.

Speed planting spades are (obviously) used with a different technique to standard planting spades. They are designed to enable the planter to bend and work close to the ground, making a rapid slot or cut with one hand while simultaneously planting the sapling with the other.

Research conducted by BC Forest Safety Council and others highlights the importance of correct technique & posture to minimise repetitive strain injury when speed planting saplings (without guarding). Maintaining neutral postures for the shoulder and wrist is one critical step and influenced by the spades height and the angle of your wrist as you plant.

PLANTEM® Short Spear and Dibber are designed with this in mind:

• Short lightweight GRP shaft which can be cut-to-size to suit your posture.
• Shallow pointed blade with a ground edge to easily penetrate turf, stoney or heavy soils.
• Double sided foot grip to maintain your flow.
• Heavy duty plastic DY handle for single handed use; thick hand grip to maximise comfort and alleviate strain injury.
• Useful for slot or notch planting or small pit digging (if that’s your thing).
• If you’re acing it with the c-cut technique . . . you’re probably better sticking to the brand you already use.

Twinned with the reassurance and benefits of our traditional all steel Spear & Dibber, we’ve aimed to add value for speed planting tree and hedge saplings:

• Wide foot grips for muddy sites, easing wear on your boots.
• High durability for levering open slots and working with stony soils or brash.
• Biosecurity Compatible - Fully cleanable by mild (non alcohol based) arboriculture disinfectant sprays (eg Cleankill, Citrox)
• Short Spear – for Bare Root saplings; Shallow pointed blade, with a ground edge to optimise performance. Double sided foot plates to maintain your flow.
• Short Dibber – for Cell & Plug saplings; Create a planting pocket in one strike with the Dibber, with a flat face to lever a second slot to help remove air at the roots in compacted soils. Its triangular shape helps roots to embed and spread beyond, rather than hole-bound circling associated with round cut-outs.

To find out more see our product pages Short Spear & Short Dibber.