Air Spading for Tree Roots in South Florida

What is air spading?

An air spade is a tool that blasts compressed air out of a nozzle at very high speed. The air breaks up and blows away soil, but it slides past roots, pipes and cables without cutting them. Shovels and backhoes can't do that. Arborists use it to see what's going on underground before deciding how to treat a tree.

When a tree needs air spading

Root collar excavation

Many South Florida trees are planted too deep, or end up buried under soil, rock or "mulch volcanoes." When the root flare is buried, the trunk can stay wet and decay, and roots can circle and girdle the trunk. Air spading uncovers the flare so we can check for decay and girdling roots and correct them.

Root inspection before construction or root pruning

Planning a driveway, pool, paver patio or foundation work near a tree? Air spading shows where the major roots actually are, so cuts can be planned or avoided. In Boca Raton, for example, the city's Environmental Office says root pruning may not be done within 6 feet of the trunk or two-thirds of the dripline, whichever is further, unless an ISA Certified Arborist report with a root excavation is submitted first (city FAQ).

Decompaction and soil improvement

Construction traffic, parking and years of foot traffic compact soil until roots can't get air or water. Air spading loosens the soil in the root zone so it can be amended with organic matter and mulch.

Relocations and transplanting

Before a tree or palm is relocated, roots have to be pruned correctly. Fort Lauderdale's code, for example, requires root pruning to ANSI A300 before transplanting (ULDC 47-21). Exposing roots with air first makes those cuts cleaner and better placed.

How an air spading visit works

1. Assessment. An ISA Certified Arborist looks at the tree's symptoms, such as thinning canopy, dieback, lean or trunk decay, and the site history.
2. Utilities located. Air excavation is still digging. Before any digging in Florida, call Sunshine 811, the state's call-before-you-dig center, so underground utilities can be marked.
3. Excavation. Soil is blown away from the root collar or root zone. It's dusty work, and we protect nearby windows, cars and pools as needed.
4. Findings and fixes. We show you what we found: girdling roots, decay, compaction. Then we recommend corrections, such as removing girdling roots, regrading, mulching or trunk injection treatments.
5. Backfill. The area is backfilled or amended and mulched, keeping mulch off the trunk.

Where we offer air spading

We offer air spading throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, including Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, for homeowners, HOAs and commercial properties.

Frequently asked questions