Abstract: A mobile device for harvesting tree seedlings includes means for subsurface cutting to separate and loosen from the surrounding ground the body of earth adjoining the roots of the tree seedlings. The movement and relative position of the earth separating means enables it to efficiently sever the roots of the tree seedlings from the surrounding ground while allowing only a minimum amount of earth to adhere to the roots of the seedlings as they are removed. A plurality of paired gripper belts remove the loosened seedlings by lifting them upwardly and rearwardly relative to the ground, each pair of gripper belts having male-female intercoupled gripping surfaces which minimize damage to the stems of the seedlings. Disposed below the gripper belts are a plurality of elongated root beater means adapted to move in a transverse oscillatory manner to agitate the roots and remove the earth adhering thereto without damaging the seedlings.