Pierson Nurseries

We at Pierson Nurseries understand the importance of preserving energy and reducing strain on our bodies while working. It's also important to us that we offer our staff whatever tools are needed to help make any of our jobs as low impact as possible.  

Currently almost all the trees we grow for our field production are grown in a Missouri gravel bed set up. In the spring all the material that we plan to plant out that year arrives bare root. This gives us the opportunity to inspect the root structure and prune as needed. After this is done, we line the trees out in one row at a time in the gravel bed and cover the roots with a fine pea stone. This process is repeated until all of the trees are healed into the bed. They are watered and cared for until the plant out begins in the early summer, this gives the roots more time to develop outward instead of circling like they may if in a container. 

When we first started using this method removing the trees towards the end of the season proved to be very difficult, especially with trees that are known to root vigorously. Pitch forks were initially used to remove the more difficult trees but the ones we used were not up to the task. We broke multiple pitch forks, from multiple manufactures. We stopped using pitch forks for this task when a tine broke off one of them and launched itself out from the stone and past my head. 

Trying out the tool at MANTS for the first time left both Jake and I very impressed. They have heft without being overly heavy and the tool feels very solid in your hands. The demo you guys had set up made those stones feel weightless. It was a no brainer for use we saw the value and ordered two on the spot. When we started using them in our gravel beds, they showed how tough they really are as most pitchforks only lasted a few weeks. Our two Earth Lifter Tools have been with us for three years now and are absolutely indispensable.  From the second you sink it into the soil the forks have the best angle to dive perfectly under roots and still keep the handle upright and ready to tip back and pull material out while preserving roots. Because you've changed where you're standing when using the Earth Liter Tool, you can stand over material and guide it straight up or support it and tip it to the side. 

You and Mike are some great guys with a great product and we would be happy to be promoted by our Lifer Tool friends.