Abstract: An apparatus is provided for lifting balled and burlapped trees. The apparatus has a pair of jaws that can open and close, grabbing the earth ball of a tree at its top and bottom. The front jaw has two separate arms with hinged pads at their lower ends adapted to fit on the top of the earth ball of tree, with one on either side of the tree trunk. The rear jaw has a blade extending across it to fit on the bottom of the earth ball. The apparatus is asymmetric in profile to facilitate grasping and maneuvering of a balled tree with its trunk extending at an angle from vertical.