MACHINE
For digging large quantities of cedars generally for the wholesale chain store market (field dug and potted - aka ‘field-potted’)
Used for digging oversized trees requiring a wire-basket
MANUAL (BY HAND)
By far the most common way of digging for the retail market
Ensures adequate sized rootball can be dug each time
Note:
Bareroot digging with a machine is not a recommended practice for smaller trees, and is in fact quite risky.
This is because it does not leave the original soil and root structure in its proper form (a round root ball).
Bareroot digging by hand is a much safer alternative only when done in certain months of the year (October to March).