Abstract: An apparatus (10) for keeping root-balled trees and soil bonded together while transporting the like within a tree spade, by encompassing in a retainer shell (11) the complete ground digging portion of the blades of a tree spade, further including a removable bottom lid (13) as means to seal the remaining bottom opening (20) which coincides with the open bottom digging portion of a tree spades extended blades (32). A plurality of couplers (17) are mounted for pivotal movement on lift tabs (12) which allow for coupling and uncoupling the entire apparatus (10) to a tree spade (30).