AusBonsai

Smithed/Fabbed up this fish tailed, sharp edged, sprung prybar/crowbar type of tool to better dig out established trees.
I'd been finding the usual tools were letting me down in one way or another, particularly with depth/reach and ease of severing substantial roots.

In practice, this has been everything I've hoped. It is wide enough to have a useful spade-like function, has the weight to travel deep and still works well in stony ground. The fish tailed shape helps center it on roots, then slices through them pretty quickly. I was worried about chipping or blunting the edge but so far have not had this happen.
Used part of a leaf spring.
Considering making some more, perhaps a shorter version that's more convenient to carry to sites.

That's commitment! Wouldn't like to be a root on the end of that fishtail!

A shorter version with a hard strikeable end may assist some, as you could use a mallet or sledge to really drive it down. Great thinking and we'll done.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Looks very similar to burke bar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JnMO6-ql8o

that looks like a pretty neat tool - no electricity needed.

pyrohamish wrote: ↑July 10th, 2020, 9:20 pm Looks very similar to burke bar

Yes, definitely the primary source of inspiration! Still mean to make one, it's just that yamadori needs took precedence!

I remember seeing a tool someone from the SA Bonsai Society had that was essentially a wire with two handles (one at each end of the wire). I believe it was a plumbers tool for root cutting. It works by pulling it back and forward and cutting through tap roots. I can't fro the life of me find it on google nor remember who it was that had it.

I found those saws the other day when I was looking for a small pruning saw
Ebay camping saw