air knife procedure

[macrocarpa]

couple of simple questions.

When you use the air knife do you bring soil to replace what is blown away since some is lost?

when exposing roots for pruning do you keep them moist with water while they are exposed?

 

[guymayor]

When you use the air knife do you bring soil to replace what is blown away since some is lost?

sometimes; depends on the purpose

when exposing roots for pruning do you keep them moist with water while they are exposed?

sometimes; covering them is often enough

 

[JeffL]

Depending on the application, I set up barriers with plywood and stakes 95% of the time and retain almost all the soil. If its just trenching and root pruning for construction I usually dont worry about it too much, seeing as its all going to be dug up anyways, so if the grade is a bit low when I'm done I'm not too concerned.

If pruning for root inspection/pruning, I'll set up barriers 50-60% of the way around the tree and blow everything in one direction. With trenching, I set up a tunnel with a cap at the end, and work 24-30' long sections at a time, that way I'm only having to haul around 8-9 sheets of plywood. Blowing all the soil back out of the grass is a snap too! Just use the airknife again!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Instead of plywood, what about using four foot sheets of landscape fabric or something similar and fiberglass fence stakes to contain the soil?

 

[boreality]

To temporarily keep the roots moist cover with wet peat moss. It should be washed or blown away and native soil replaced when your work is done.

 

[JeffL]

[ QUOTE ]
Instead of plywood, what about using four foot sheets of landscape fabric or something similar and fiberglass fence stakes to contain the soil?

[/ QUOTE ]

We've been toying with the idea of trying out some of those mobile guards they sell in Sherrill for stump grinding. Problem is, I feel like we'd end up knocking them over, or collapsing them. I've done a few small to medium sized "straightenings" for trees that have uprooted or shifted after planting, and the amount of soil you move would bury some fabric layed across stakes. Although I have draped tarps from customers gutters when spading next to the house on rainy days. Thats a headache saver!

To the original question again though, typically if we are doing a large enough job to be requiring replacement of the soil, usually the lost material is made up for with the inclusion of some type of compost and a layer of mulch to finish it off.

 

[zale]

[ QUOTE ]
couple of simple questions.

When you use the air knife do you bring soil to replace what is blown away since some is lost?
If you are able to keep the soil contained in the area of work, you can use the tool to blow the soil back into the trench and top dress with a composted mulch.
when exposing roots for pruning do you keep them moist with water while they are exposed?

[/ QUOTE ]I have never kept the roots moist when root pruning with an air spade provided the work can be done in one day. If the roots need to be left exposed, I will wrap several layers of burlap around them and soak with water. Water and air spading do not get along! You make a muddy mess real quick.

 

[Paul Biester]

i would really like to incorporate this service into our business! How have you all marketed this??

Or should i start another thread?

 

[zale]

The general public has no idea this tool exists. The company I worked for was the first in the Mid Atlantic area to use it. We found our best success by showing the tool and its applications to the Landscape Designers, irrigation folks, engineers etc. Also, if you can set up a demonstration to these people it will go a long way in helping them understand the different uses.

While this is a great tool, it does have its limitations. Make sure you let the people know them along with the benefits!