You carefully choose the shrubs, look after them and they're great for years. But sometimes they do too well, and outgrow their space. For the really good ones I've dug a circular trench around them to save upto a 2 foot radius of roots and root ball.. Once past the top soil the sub soil is heavy going, and with a normal spade it takes more and more effort to get the soil out.
I moved a large Camelia in early Feb. While resting a sore back I thought there must be a better tool for this. I'd never seen or heard the like of this make, but had an idea of what a suitable tool would be like. Eventually found it on the web.
This is the perfect tool for the job.. its an ideal design to cut into the sub-soil / clay and to lift it out. The base is much wider than a normal hoe, getting towards a narrow spade width. It's also known as a trench tool.
Not many suppliers of this. Not available at DIYs, Garden stores, Wickes etc. Got it from Avenue35 (Amazon). Very prompt despatch / delivery, and good prompt reply to an email query.