Scalping Tools

Scalping tools prepare sites for planting, a job that is often accomplished as a separate operation before planting begins. Scalping blades may be attached to dibbles, allowing operators to scalp and plant at the same time. Scalping can also be accomplished with the edge or the back of the blade of planting hoes or shovels. The size of the scalp varies according to seedling size and the site conditions, but a scalp 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter is adequate for most situations. Hand scalping may prove difficult or ineffective in areas with well-developed grass cover, heavy slash, or brush. Hand scalping is fatiguing, because operators do most of the work with their arms and upper body.

Function

Scalping removes forest litter and competitive vegetation from the planting site. This simplifies planting and reduces competition for the nutrients, moisture, and sunlight that seedlings need to grow.

Description

Scalping tools have mattock blades, which are similar to the sharpened blades commonly found on axes or hatchets, except that the blade is at a right angle to the shaft and curves back slightly toward the operator.

The most common hand scalping tools are adze hoes and the slightly lighter duty scalping tool. These tools have a 36- to 42-inch (91 to 107 centimeters) curved handle with a mattock blade attached. Mattock blades are from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) wide. The entire tool weighs from 3 to 6 pounds (1 to 3 kilograms).

The American eye hoe is a lightweight tool designed to clear sparse vegetation, light forest litter, and burned-over soils. It features a 7-½-inch (19 centimeter) wide hoe blade, a long handle (as long as 60 inches or 154 centimeters), and weighs about 4-¼ pounds (2 kilograms).

The Pulaski is a scalping tool adapted for use in hard or rocky soil and in areas with brush or slash. The Pulaski has a large head with an ax on one end and a mattock on the other. A typical Pulaski weighs 7 pounds (3 kilograms) and has a 3 ½-inch (9 centimeters) wide mattock blade, a 4 ½-inch (10 centimeters) long ax, and a 36-inch (91 centimeters) straight handle.

The McLeod is a combination hoe and rake designed for making wide scalps and for light digging in loose, sandy, or loam soils. The lightweight McLeod head has a wide mattock head (8 to 10 inches or 23 centimeters) on one end with rake teeth on the other. It has a long, straight handle (about 48 inches or 122 centimeters) and weighs about 4-¼ pounds (2 kilograms).

Some scalping blades can be attached to planting tools with U-bolts. These blades enable workers to scalp while planting, but the weight and design of the blade can throw the tools offbalance, making them unwieldy.

Operation

The operator uses short, downward pulling strokes to clear forest litter, exposing mineral soil at planting sites. When needed, specialized scalping tools are available for cutting through or clearing heavy slash or brush.

Advantages

Scalping tools are lightweight and simple to use. They are also quick and effective for spot site preparation. Because they are also common firefighting tools, most scalping tools are available readily to forestry personnel. The versatility of many planting tools can be increased with scalping blades that can be attached or removed easily.

Disadvantages

Hand scalping can be difficult or almost impossible in heavy, well-established grass or shrub cover. Scalping tools with very wide blades or planting tools that have scalping blades attached may be unwieldy in confined spaces. Hand scalping is fatiguing.