Best Shovel for Planting Trees: Tree Spade vs Transplanting Shovel

What to Use for Seedlings, Roots & Deep Holes (2026). If I could only keep one digging tool for planting trees, I would choose a strong, round-point shovel. But if I were planting multiple seedlings, working around root balls, or digging deep, narrow holes, I would also want a proper tree planting spade or transplanting shovel nearby.

That is the part many homeowners miss. There is no single “perfect” shovel for every tree planting job. A small seedling, a 5-gallon nursery tree, a bare-root sapling, and a heavy root ball all need slightly different digging tools.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what I look for when choosing the best shovel for planting trees, when to use a round point shovel, when a transplanting spade is better, and how to dig a proper planting hole without damaging the roots or making the job harder than it needs to be.

For a deeper breakdown of blade shape, handle types, gauge, and general digging uses, I recommend reading my full guide to the best round point shovel. That article explains why a round point blade is usually the most versatile choice for digging, planting, and everyday landscaping work.

What Is the Best Shovel for Planting Trees?

For most homeowners, the best shovel for planting trees is a round point shovel with a strong steel blade and a comfortable handle. The pointed blade cuts into soil more effectively than a square shovel, making it easier to dig a wide planting hole.

However, if I am planting small bare-root trees or seedlings, I prefer a transplanting shovel or narrow tree planting spade because it gives me better control. If I am planting a larger container tree with a heavy root ball, I want a wider, stronger shovel that can move more soil quickly.

Here is the simple rule I use:

• For general tree planting: Use a round point shovel.
• For seedlings and bare-root trees: Use a transplanting spade.
• For heavy root balls: Use a nursery spade or strong round point shovel.
• For clay or rocky soil: Use a heavy-duty 14-gauge shovel.
• For tight spots: Use a D-grip shovel.

Tree Planting Spade vs. Round Point Shovel vs. Transplanting Shovel

These tools are similar, but they are not identical. Choosing the right one can save your back, protect the tree roots, and help you dig the correct hole shape.

Best Shovels for Planting Trees

1. Best Overall: Round Point Digging Shovel

If I had to recommend one tree planting shovel for most homeowners, this would be it. A round point digging shovel is versatile enough for planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and landscape beds.

The curved blade helps scoop soil, while the pointed tip bites into the ground. That makes it much more useful for digging holes than a square shovel, which is better for scooping loose material from flat surfaces.

Best for: Homeowners planting small trees, shrubs, and general landscaping projects.

• Pros: Versatile, easy to find, good for digging and moving soil.
• Cons: Not as precise as a narrow transplanting spade around roots.

If you want a deeper breakdown of this tool, read my full guide to the best round point shovel.

2. Best for Seedlings: Transplanting Spade

When I plant seedlings or bare-root trees, I do not always want a wide shovel. A transplanting spade gives me more control because the blade is usually longer and narrower.

That makes it useful for digging deeper planting slots, working around roots, and lifting smaller plants without tearing up too much surrounding soil.

Best for: Seedlings, bare-root trees, small shrubs, and transplanting established plants.

• Pros: More precise, easier around roots, good for deep narrow holes.
• Cons: Moves less soil per scoop than a wider shovel.

3. Best for Root Balls: Nursery Spade

If I am planting a larger nursery tree, especially one with a heavy root ball, I want a stronger shovel. A nursery spade is built for tougher landscape work and gives better control when cutting around soil and roots.

This is also the tool I would consider if I needed to lift or relocate small shrubs. It is not always necessary for casual homeowners, but it is useful if you plant often.

Best for: Container trees, balled-and-burlapped plants, shrubs, and serious landscape work.

• Pros: Strong, controlled, useful for root balls.
• Cons: More specialized than a basic garden shovel.

4. Best for Clay Soil: 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel

If your soil is soft and loose, almost any decent shovel will dig a hole. But clay, compacted soil, and rocky ground expose weak tools quickly. That is where I prefer a heavier-duty 14-gauge round point shovel.

A stronger steel blade is less likely to flex when you are pushing into hard soil. It also gives you more confidence when breaking ground for larger planting holes.

Best for: Clay soil, compacted ground, rocky soil, and frequent digging.

• Pros: Strong blade, better for tough soil, more durable for repeated use.
• Cons: Heavier than lightweight homeowner shovels.

5. Best for Tight Spaces: D-Grip Tree Planting Shovel

A long-handle shovel gives great leverage, but it can feel clumsy in tight spaces. When I am digging near a fence, raised bed, foundation, or crowded planting border, I like a D-grip shovel.

The shorter handle gives more control and makes it easier to work in confined areas. The tradeoff is that you lose some leverage compared with a long-handle shovel.

Best for: Raised beds, narrow borders, tight planting areas, and smaller users.

• Pros: Excellent control, compact, easy to store.
• Cons: Less leverage for deep holes.

How I Choose a Shovel for Planting Trees

1. I Start With the Root Ball Size

The size of the tree matters more than the name of the shovel. A small seedling does not need the same tool as a 15-gallon container tree. For small trees, I want precision. For larger trees, I want soil-moving power and a stronger blade.

2. I Look at the Soil First

Loose loam is easy. Heavy clay, compacted ground, rocky soil, and root-filled beds require a tougher shovel. If the soil is hard, I would rather use a strong round point shovel than a light, cheap spade that flexes under pressure.

3. I Prefer Fiberglass for Most Homeowners

Wood handles feel traditional and absorb shock well, but fiberglass is usually more weather-resistant and less likely to splinter. For most homeowners, a fiberglass handle is the safest all-around choice.

4. I Check the Step

The step is the top edge of the shovel blade where your boot presses down. A wider step makes digging more comfortable, especially when planting multiple trees.

5. I Avoid Using a Shovel as a Pry Bar

This is one of the fastest ways to ruin a shovel. A tree planting shovel is for digging and lifting soil, not forcing huge rocks or roots out of the ground with full body weight.

How to Dig a Proper Hole for Planting a Tree

The shovel matters, but the hole matters even more. A common mistake is digging a deep, narrow hole that feels “secure” but actually encourages poor root development.

• Step 1: Measure the Root Ball. Before digging, I measure the width and depth of the root ball or container. This tells me how wide the hole should be and prevents planting too deep.
• Step 2: Dig Wider, Not Too Deep. I prefer a hole that is about two to three times wider than the root ball, but only deep enough so the root flare sits at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
• Step 3: Roughen the Sides. If the sides of the hole become smooth and glazed, especially in clay soil, I roughen them with the shovel edge or a garden fork. This helps roots move into the surrounding soil.
• Step 4: Set the Tree at the Correct Height. The root flare should not be buried. Planting too deep is one of the most common tree planting mistakes and can create long-term health problems.
• Step 5: Backfill Carefully. I backfill with the native soil unless the soil is extremely poor. I gently firm the soil to remove large air pockets, but I do not stomp it into a compacted block.
• Step 6: Water Deeply. After planting, I water slowly and deeply to settle the soil around the roots. A watering basin around the tree can help direct moisture where it is needed.

Common Mistakes When Planting Trees With a Shovel

• Digging the Hole Too Deep: This is the mistake I see most often. A tree planted too deep may struggle because the root flare is buried and the roots do not get the oxygen they need.
• Making the Hole Too Narrow: A narrow hole forces roots to stay confined. A wider hole gives new roots loosened soil to grow into.
• Using the Wrong Shovel for the Soil: A lightweight shovel may work in soft soil, but clay and compacted ground need a stronger blade. If the shovel bends or bounces off the surface, it is the wrong tool for the job.
• Damaging the Root Ball: When working close to roots, I switch to a transplanting spade, garden fork, or hand tool instead of hacking aggressively with a wide shovel.
• Forgetting to Water After Planting: Even a perfectly planted tree can fail if it dries out during establishment. The shovel gets the tree in the ground, but watering keeps it alive.

Should You Use a Post Hole Digger for Planting Trees?

I do not recommend a post hole digger for most tree planting jobs. It creates a narrow, deep hole, which is usually better for fence posts than tree roots.

Tree roots need room to spread outward. A wide planting hole is usually better than a narrow vertical shaft. A post hole digger can help in some seedling or forestry situations, but for normal landscape planting, I would use a round point shovel or tree planting spade.

What About a Garden Fork?

A garden fork is not a replacement for a shovel, but it is one of my favorite companion tools. I use it to loosen compacted soil around the planting area before or after digging. If the soil is heavy clay, a fork can help break up the surrounding ground without slicing roots as aggressively as a shovel blade.

Final Verdict: What Is the Best Shovel for Planting Trees?

If you only want one tool, choose a strong round point shovel. It is the best all-around shovel for planting trees, shrubs, and general landscaping.

If you plant seedlings, bare-root trees, or smaller plants often, add a transplanting shovel or tree planting spade for better control. If you work in clay, rocks, or compacted soil, upgrade to a 14-gauge round point shovel.

My ideal setup is simple: one strong round point shovel, one transplanting spade, and one garden fork. With those three tools, you can handle almost any small to medium tree planting job in a home landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best shovel for planting trees?
For most homeowners, the best shovel for planting trees is a strong round point shovel. It digs into soil well, moves material efficiently, and works for most small to medium tree planting jobs.

What is a tree planting spade?
A tree planting spade is a digging tool used for planting seedlings, small trees, and root balls. It is often narrower or more controlled than a general-purpose shovel.

Is a transplanting shovel good for planting trees?
Yes. A transplanting shovel is especially useful for seedlings, bare-root trees, shrubs, and plants with roots that need careful handling.

Can I use a round point shovel to plant a tree?
Yes. A round point shovel is one of the best all-around tools for planting trees because the pointed blade cuts into soil and helps dig a wide planting hole.

Should a tree planting hole be deep or wide?
A tree planting hole should usually be wider than the root ball, not much deeper. The root flare should sit at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.

What shovel is best for planting seedlings?
For seedlings, a transplanting spade or narrow tree planting shovel is often best because it allows better control and disturbs less surrounding soil.

What is the best shovel for clay soil?
For clay soil, choose a strong 14-gauge round point shovel or heavy-duty digging shovel. A garden fork can also help loosen compacted clay around the planting hole.