I'd almost bet that the naysayer was/is a CA and that's why they're trying to bust your nuggets.
Not to derail, but the bar to get the CA from the ISA has been lowered to the point where I have to wonder why more good "tree guys" don't just get it anyway.
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.