Planting Trees with an Electric Loader is the Fast and Easy Way To Do It!
Planting trees is one of the most rewarding ways to use a compact electric loader like the NESHER L880, and in our latest project, it proved just how versatile and effective it can be for landscaping and planting tasks.
We recently set out to expand our tree diversity by planting several new species around the property, including two types of bamboo and a unique cardboard palm. To help with the heavy lifting and soil work, we brought out our NESHER L880 electric loader and put it to work.
With its quiet operation and zero emissions, the L880 is ideal for working around residential or landscaped areas where noise and fumes can be an issue. What really makes it stand out, though, is its range of attachments. For this project, we equipped it with a digger attachment that converts the machine into a compact excavator that was perfect for digging planting holes quickly and easily. Sure, you could dig these holes with a hand shovel, but it’s just faster and easier on your back to use a machine like an electric loader with a digger attachment. See the planting session in action in the video below.
Our first planting of the day was a young Dendrocalamus giganteus, commonly known as giant bamboo. In ideal conditions, this species can grow as much as a foot per day and reach heights up to 100 feet. Of course, our little starter plant has a long way to go before it gets there, but getting it in the ground properly is the first step. For larger holes, we simply used the NESHER L880's front loader to dump in topsoil directly. For the more delicate work, like shaping smaller holes and adding amendments, we used hand tools to fine-tune the planting site.
Next, we planted Dendrocalamus asper, also known as black bamboo, which is the largest of the black bamboo varieties. This species can reach up to 60 feet tall and adds beautiful diversity to our growing landscape. Again, the L880 made easy work of moving topsoil and organic mulch to the site.
To support healthy growth, we mixed in rich, organic mulched soil with our native sandy soil, which by itself isn’t the most fertile medium for tree planting. Having a powerful yet compact machine like the NESHER L880 made hauling and mixing soil fast and efficient.
After a quick topsoil refill run, we finished off the planting session with a cardboard palm. Despite the name, it’s not a true palm but a cycad, and it has a striking, prehistoric look. It’s an endangered species in the wild, and while it’s an attractive landscaping plant, it comes with a warning its seeds can be highly toxic, so keep the seeds away from animals and people.
With all three plants successfully in the ground, the NESHER L880 earned another checkmark for versatility. Whether it's digging, hauling, or backfilling, the L880 proves time and time again that it's more than capable of handling precise landscape work alongside its heavier-duty jobs.
If you're in the market for a compact electric loader that can do it all, including everything from construction to delicate landscaping, the NESHER L880 is ready when you are.
