Air Spade
Ruskins’ Air Spade services provide a safe, non-invasive solution for root investigation, soil decompaction and excavation in sensitive areas. Using high-pressure compressed air, our trained arborists can expose tree roots, utilities and buried structures without causing damage, ensuring compliance, safety and environmental care on every project.
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Why Use an Air Spade?
The Air Spade (sometimes referred to as an Air Lance) is an essential tool for arborists and engineers working around established trees. Unlike mechanical digging, air excavation protects roots and underground services, allowing precise investigation and soil treatment where conventional methods would cause harm.
Our Air Spade techniques are ideal for:
- Root investigation and mapping before construction or foundation works
- Safe excavation near utilities and tree roots
- Soil decompaction and aeration to restore healthy root function
- Remediation of soil tipped on root plates
- Root pruning carried out in accordance with arboricultural best practice
Expert Teams, Professional Standards
All Air Spade operations are delivered by Ruskins’ experienced arborists, who are CSCS/LISS accredited and SSSTS-qualified, ensuring competence and compliance on both construction and residential sites. We provide complete service packages, including spoil removal, reinstatement and soil improvement with mulches or ameliorants where required.
Our investment in specialist extraction equipment allows us to manage waste efficiently, even in challenging or restricted environments.
A safe, non evasive solution for root investigation.
Protecting roots and underground services.
Precise investigation and soil treatment.
Ruskins - leading the way for nearly 40 years.
“I must say that the work you do is fantastic and your staff have been extremely helpful.. If I get the opportunity to get another job like this, Ruskins will be my first and only choice, I also intend to make recommendations of Ruskins to other landscape companies. ”
Contracts Manager for National Ground Maintenance Company
Soil Health and Decompaction
Soil compaction severely limits tree vitality by restricting water, air and nutrient flow. Our Air Spade decompaction service restores soil structure, promoting deeper root growth and long-term tree stability. We can incorporate composts or bio-amendments and apply mulching treatments to maintain soil health, which is an essential part of sustainable landscape management.
Who We Work With
Our Air Spade services support:
- Developers and contractors – enabling safe excavation and compliance with planning conditions
- Local authorities and landscape architects – protecting valuable tree assets on public and private land
- Tree consultants and utilities – assisting with surveys, investigations, and remediation works
- Private estates and homeowners – resolving compaction and root-related issues safely and effectively
The Ruskins Advantage
For nearly 40 years, Ruskins has led the way in tree care and soil biology. Our Air Spade services combine cutting-edge technology with arboricultural expertise helping to protect mature trees, improve soil function and deliver measurable results for our clients.
Contact Us
If you’re planning development near existing trees or managing compacted soils, talk to our specialist team today. We’ll assess your site and advise on the most effective Air Spade solution for your project.
Call us on 01277 849990
or request a call back
Please note that in most cases we can provide a outline quotation by telephone, that will be confirmed during a site visit.