I just bought a pair in black (its called fashion, sweaty) and while I haven't yet worked in them, I can sense that I'm gonna like them more than the Clogger Zeros I have for summer and definitely more than the Pfanners for summer, though I do like the Pfanners for winter.
It doesn't look like too large of an area for humans with wheelbarrows to get dirt out, after air spading. Or a mini skid and a few ground protection mats.
Seems like a good plan, though I question fertilizing a compromised and stressed tree. I'd also add vertical mulching while you're in there. Incorporate biochar into that and the backfill mulch.
What a frustrating issue!!! An ounce of prevention... and all that. Are they open to going a step...
THANK YOU for calling this out. I think Mark has some kind of God-like-can-do-no-wrong aura in this industry. Of course he's great at what he does and has contributed loads to the industry, but that doesn't give him a free pass in this case, IMHO.
Sometimes, its the really simple stuff like ratchet strapping limb bundles to make carrying them easier, that's staring you right in the face the whole time. Brilliant idea that I've never considered, thanks for sharing!