Tree Spade variations

[wingspar]

If I wanted a tree spade that gave good all-around performance, what would it be? There are too many variations of spades out there to make sense of. What is the major reason for using 4 or 3 spades? Does the spade angle really matter? Could I move all types of trees equally well?
Thanks

 

[itsgottobegreen]

I have dealt with a lot of tree spades. You defently want a 4 spade, get the biggest one your machine can take. Personally a straight angle spade digs better but a curved spade. But the straight spade makes a really crappy root ball. A curved blade make a nicer and larger root ball. The bigger the root ball the odds of the tree survice increase big time.