Image of Schlich Planting spade in use

Date Added: 11 February 2021 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1955 Picture No: 5040

The image is from a collection of slides and photographs ‘rescued from the skip’ and handed to Forestry Memories. Generally very little information with or about them and for details we will have to rely on readers’ memories or geographical knowledge.

No detail what so ever and year entered is a guess. Unfortunately the view does not show the shaft of the spade but from memory the metal shaft holder was in the form of two heavy straps that ran up the wooden shaft about 18 inches, one on the front and the other at the rear. The blade was shaped as seen and manufactured so that the blade and the shaft were in line with no angle tilt. In use the spade was driven vertically into the ground and given a vigorous heave to the front and the back to open a slot in the ground into which the young plant was inserted and then firmed by foot.

Can anyone recall how this tool originated and did its name have anything to do with Professor William Schlich the eminent forestry expert of the early 1900s?

Any stories of its use would be very valuable.

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5 Comments

I was pleased to see your photo of the Schlich spade. I have one, sadly the wooden handle is long gone, I am going to fit an new handle and have been doing some research to make sure I fit a suitable one. I found an excellent picture at https://www.oldgardentools.co.uk/cultivating
which was very helpful. Comment left on 09 July 2021 at 17:15 by Andrew Nelson

Hello,
My great grandfather was Sir William Schlich.
He did indeed develop the Schlich spade to plant trees during his time in India.
I suppose you can find it in his book Schlich’s Manual of Forestry. I have got one of those spades!
If you have more questions, I’d be happy to answer them if I can.

Comment left on 15 April 2024 at 12:30 by Else Holterman ten Hove

We still use 3 of these on the estate I work for and they are far superior to any other planting spades I’ve seen Comment left on 02 June 2024 at 08:47 by Andrew Smith

I can't ever remember using one in a work context but I recall in great detail a 'games evening' at Newton Rigg where one of the sports was Schlich Spade racing/walking.
Competitors would climb aboard two spades in 'stilt style' and attempt to cover a short distance faster than their opponent. They were quite heavy to try and keep attached to the sole of your shoe by lifting while attempting to take a step. I do recall vividly the colourful array of bruises on the inside of particularly knees for several days afterwards and can confirm that the spades did have almost full steel straps (with proud edges) up both front and rear of the shaft! Comment left on 15 February 2025 at 22:08 by John Burrow

I am another great-grandchild of Sir William (Wilhelm) Schlich, and a cousin of Else who posted a comment above.
I bought a few spades for myself and brothers from Chieftain Forge in Scotland, sadly they closed down in 1996.
It is indeed a very heavy spade, with straps extending up to the handle. It was designed for planting in heavy, stoney soil, so needed to be robust.
I was using my spade today, planting hazel whips as a volunteer for the National Trust in Northern Ireland. Comment left on 26 February 2026 at 00:16 by Robin Francis Haldane

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