WO2003037062A1

WO2003037062A1 - A horticultural or agricultural tool

Info

Publication number: WO2003037062A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/004917
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Eric Lewin
Original assignee: Andrew Eric Lewin
Priority date: 2001-10-30
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2003-05-08

Abstract

A gardening tool comprises an elongate shaft (2), a working part or blade (3) rigidly coupled to the shaft (2), having two prongs (6, 7) in the lower region of the blade (3) defining a central longitudinal elongate gap or slot (8), having a closed upper end (9) and an open lower end and extending partially along the blade (3) from its lower end. The slot (8) is narrow relative to the width of the prongs (6, 7) in the region of the closed end (9) and broadens in the region of the open end. There is a fulcrum member (4) extending rearwardly and upwardly in the region adjacent the coupling of the shaft (2) and the blade (3) and forming a downwardly-pointing wedge with the upper part of the blade (3). The tool works by engaging a root (17) between the prongs (6, 7), which also loosen earth above, below, and on all sides the region where the prongs (6, 7) engage the root (17), and the fulcrum member (4) causes the tool to pivots about a region below the soil surface when the tool is titled backwards.

Description

A Horticultural or Agricultural Tool

Background to the Invention

The present invention relates to a horticultural or agricultural tool for uprooting plants. The tool can be for commercial and/or domestic use but is primarily, though not exclusively, for gardening and particularly weeding.

The removal of weeds with a deep tap root is a problem. The problem can be met when ridding gardens, allotments and commercial land of deep-rooted and tough plants and weeds, whether or not they are normally described as weeds. Thus the plants can be for instance thistles, nettles, briars, docks, dandelions, ragwort or rose bushes. If a spade or hoe is used, the roots are cut and some roots can regenerate. A garden fork often does not reach deep enough to remove the root.

Many types of gardening tools specifically for engaging the roots of a plant or weed are known in the art; however most previous tools have been designed to engage with the plant/weed root/roots at or slightly below the surface of the soil and most are designed with a leverage fulcrum at the soil surface, which interferes with the effective operation of the tool. Most tools have been designed to cut or sever the root at or near the surface of the soil, no deeper that 50mm, and/or they impart a large shear force to the root, subsequently severing or breaking the root, thus allowing the weed to regenerate from the remaining root left behind in the soil.

It is a general object of the present invention to remove or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a tool for uprooting plants which will pull up substantially the whole of the root. The Invention

The present invention provides the tool of Claim 1, 3 or 31 and the method of Claim 27, 28 or 32. The remaining Claims set forth preferred or optional features of the invention.

Using the present invention, the prongs and the fulcrum member are thrust below the soil surface adjacent and behind the root of the plant and the tool is tilted backwards to pivot the tool about a region below the soil surface. The prongs pass on either side of the root and continue to move relative to the root so that the root is wedged or firmly engaged in a narrow part of the gap between the prongs. In this way, the root can be securely engaged in the gap between the prongs so that further tilting the tool backwards pulls the root up in a generally or substantially vertical direction; ideally, as the tool tilts backwards, the root moves along the gap between the prongs so that the force applied to the root remains vertical. Thus in summary the tool can be arranged such that as the tool is tilted backwards, the root is caught between the prongs, and moved down elongate gap between the prongs until wedged in the gap, at which point the main component of movement of the prongs is upwards. This aids the lifting of earth on either side of the root, and reduces the likelihood of damage to the root on extraction because the root is lifted from the ground generally or substantially vertically, which reduces the likelihood of the root being sheared and the lower part being left in the ground. The gap between the prongs should have no sharp edges which would sever the root.

In general terms, the prongs seize the root several inches below the surface of the soil, and by gently applying leverage, breaks the suction and entwining hold of soil on the root, allowing much of substantially the whole of the root to be lifted in one easy, quick operation. Plants with roots between 15 to 20 cms long can be easily extracted, and even plants such as docks with roots up to 55 cms or 80 cms long have been successfully lifted. The working part or blade can be relatively narrow, which allows problem weeds growing among wanted plants, to be extracted with minimal disturbance. The tool of the invention can be used for uprooting plants without a deep vertical root, such as roses or sapling trees, because the ball of soil can be loosened and the plant lifted. The tool of the invention can be used for removing large and small plants for re-planting or potting, since with practice, the gentle levering action of the tool can remove a whole plant undamaged, together with a small amount of the surrounding soil.

Preferably, the fulcrum member is arranged so the tool pivots about a region approximately 13 cm to approximately 15 cm, say 14 cm, below the soil surface. This gives an unexpected increase of the effectiveness of the tool. It aids vertical movement of the working part or blade to remove the root when it is wedged in the gap, together with loosening the soil around the root, enabling the removal of the whole root in one piece without leaving the base of the root in the ground.

Preferably, the fulcrum member provides a wedge, the thin end of the wedge being at the lower end thereof. This encourages pivoting below the surface of the soil, and helps to loosen the soil, because the fulcrum member can readily be pushed into the soil. Preferably, the wedge is arranged to enter the ground until the top of the wedge is roughly level with the ground surface. This results in the pivot point of the tool being as far below the surface of the soil as possible, so aiding the removal of the root.

The gap between the prongs is elongate, i.e. substantially larger than it is wide, the length preferably being at least about 10 or 15 times the width, say between about 16.7 and about 20 times - the length is preferably less than about 25 or 30 times its width. Preferably, the gap is at least 10 cm in length. It has been found that if the gap is shorter than this, the ground may not be sufficiently disturbed and lifted to easily remove the whole root. This length also reduces the possibility of the root being engaged and pulled sideways, which would increase the possibility of breaking the root.

It is not essential that the gap between the prongs should have a closed end, though it will in most convenient embodiments. Preferably, the gap is greater than about 2.5 or 5 mm wide, and preferably the gap is less than about 6 or 10 mm wide, at the closed end or narrowest part. More preferably, the gap is approximately 5.5 mm wide immediately adjacent the closed end or narrowest part. It has been found that this size of gap gives an unexpected result of being especially effective at removing weeds and all root plants, regardless of the thickness or depth of the root. Preferably, each prong is flared outwards at its tip. This gives advantages that the soil at either side of the root is disturbed and loosened as the tool is used and also aids smoothly easing the root between the prongs. Preferably, the elongate gap sides are parallel or slightly tapered outwardly from the closed end for a substantial portion of the length of the elongate gap. The broadened gap at the tip of the prongs gives a wide area to guide the root between the prongs into the elongate gap. The gentle narrowing sides or the parallel sides then engage the root and hold it through the upward motion of the working part to remove the root from the soil.

Preferably, the prongs bend forward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This aids in disturbing and lifting the soil in front of the root and means that the handle is above ground level when the prongs are horizontal.

Preferably, the inside faces of the tips of the prongs are between 40 mm and 50 mm apart. It has been found that this width gives good results for loosening soil and guiding the root into the elongate gap.

Preferably, the inner sides of the prongs are as in Claim 19. This aids gripping the root.

Preferred Embodiments

The embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a first tool according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the tool of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the tool of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tool of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of the blade and other parts of the tool of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a rear view corresponding to Figure 5, showing the fulcrum member;

Figure 7 is a side view corresponding to Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a section along the plane NIH-Niπ indicated in Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a side view corresponding to Figure 7, showing the first two positions of the tool in operation;

Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 9 but shows the tool in a further three positions in operation;

Figure 11 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 4, but showing a second tool according to the present invention;

Figure 12 is a section along the plane XII-XII indicated in Figure 11;

Figure 13 corresponds to Figure 6, but shows a third tool according to the present invention;

Figure 14 is a side view of the tool of Figure 13.

First Tool. Figures 1 to 10

The tool has a handle 1 (which is not essential), an elongate shaft 2, a working part or blade 3 and a leverage or fulcrum member 4.

The handle 1 forms a T with the shaft 2, and as shown can have its ends closed by plastic plugs 5.

As best seen in Figure 5, the blade 3 has two prongs 6, 7 which define between them an elongate longitudinal gap or slot 8 which is aligned with the shaft 2. The slot 8 has a closed end 9, a substantially parallel, narrow part extending for a substantial portion of the length of the slot 8 (say between about two fifths and about half of the total length of the slot 8), and a widening of the slot 8 at its lower end where the slot 8 flares out. The inside of each tip 10, 11 makes an angle α with the longitudinal axis. The blade 3 has parallel sides in its upper part which continue down to near the lower end of the prongs 6, 7, where they diverge so the outside of each tip 10,11 makes an angle β with the longitudinal axis. The prongs 6, 7 have squared-off tips 10, 11. The prongs 6, 7 are symmetrical about the centre line of the shaft 2, as seen looking in Figure 5. As can be seen in Figure 4, the front of the blade 3 is flat, apart from the lower ends of the prongs 6, 7.

As shown in Figure 7, the blade is curved forwards so that the tip is at an angle γ to the top of the blade 3; the angle γ may be in the range 10° to 15°, but is preferably greater, say up to 30° - if desired, the curve can be a smooth curve. The curvature begins at a point 12 which is below the closed end 9 of the slot 8.

The fulcrum member 4 is best seen in Figure 7. It has the shape of a V, having a soil- engaging part 13 which is inclined rearwardly and upwardly and a foot plate 14 which may be normal to the axis of the shaft 2. The lower end of the shaft 2 passes through a hole cut in the foot plate 14. The soil-engaging part 13 makes an angle δ with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 2. The soil-engaging part 13 and the upper part of the blade 3 form a wedge having its thin end directed downwards. The lower end 15 of the soil-engaging part 13 is the same width as the adjacent portion of the blade 3 (see Figure 6).

As indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7, the rear of the tips 10, 11 can be chamfered off at 10a, to give sharper points.

Operation

The length of the shaft 2 with its handle 1 is arranged such that a person using the tool may do so by standing upright, thus allowing the person to not only be comfortable whilst using the tool, but be able to exert their full bodily weight on the tool, if necessary, to remove the weed or plant. This gives a major leverage advantage. Figure 9 in position A shows the tool in-situ in the soil 16 behind a diagrammatically- represented weed root 17. The user stands behind the tool. The blade 3 is arranged such that when it is pushed into the soil 16, it can be held at an angle such that the lower curved section of the blade 3 enters the soil 16 nearly vertically, which means that the shaft 2 is held pointing away from the body. The tips 10, 11 of the prongs 6, 7 are placed on the either side of and from approximately 10 mm to approximately 50 mm, say approximately 25 mm, directly behind the root 17 to be removed. The user holds the handle 1 and places a foot on the foot plate 14, using his weight to force the blade 3 and the fulcrum member 4 into the soil 16. As shown in Figure 9, the foot plate 14 is approximately level with the top of the soil though it is not essential that all of the fulcrum member should be thrust beneath the top of the soil 16. However, even for small weeds, it is desirable to force the fulcrum member 4 into the soil 16 until the foot plate 14 is approximately level with the top of the soil 16, to give maximum effectiveness. If the soil 16 is hard, the tool can be lanced firmly into the ground, as many times as necessary, to shatter the soil 16 surrounding the root 17. The impact motion of the tool shatters the surrounding soil 16 in all directions, allowing the root 17 to be removed in its entirety, so it is substantially free from soil. To aid penetration of the tool head into the ground, the top of the shaft 2 may be moved in a side to side motion, while the foot is placed on the foot plate 14 urging the tool downwards. The shaft 2 may be pulled back and pushed forward in a reciprocating manner, as well as being rocked sideways, in order to disturb the soil fully before engaging the root 17. This helps to prevent the root 17 from breaking where the base of the root is still in solid soil. Once the foot plate 14 of the leverage member 3 is level with the ground, further gentle sideways movement of the shaft 2 further loosens the soil.

The precise positioning of the tool during the lifting procedure and the fulcrum point will vary according to the type of soil and also to whether the soil is firm and dry or soft and moist.

The blade 3 is arranged so that during the process of pushing it into the soil 16, the soil 16 around the side of the root is disturbed and loosened and as the shaft 2 is pulled backwards, the soil 16 is further disturbed, loosened and lifted around the root 17, thus further facilitating the removal of the root 17. This soil loosening ability is particularly useful when removing a plant for replanting because a sizable clod of soil can be lifted with the vast majority of the plant roots still intact within the clod, thus protecting them from damage. The exact area of disturbing and loosening the soil 16 is not shown in the drawings, as it will depend upon the nature of the soil.

The handle 1 is then tilted backwards (to the left in Figure 9), and the tool will pivot roughly about a point 18 which can be for instance roughly 170 mm below the surface of the soil 16. The point 18 is very roughly in or a bit below the region of the point 12 (see Figures 6 and 7). As shown in Figure 9, the tips 10, 11 of the prongs 6 will approach the root 17 (position B) and as shown in Figure 10 (position C), the prongs 6, 7 will pass either side of the root 17 and will engage the root 17 roughly at point 19.

As the movement of the tool continues, the flared ends of the elongate slot 8 gently guide the root 17 inwards towards the closed end 9 of the slot 8 where the shape of the sides of the prongs 6, 7 and the narrowing of the slot 8 cause the root 17 to be wedged and gripped between the prongs 6, 7 and, initially, pivoting about a fulcrum at point 18, the root 17 and the remainder of the plant are lifted vertically upwards as soil 16 is pushed away from the one side of the root 17 by the action of the upper region of the blade 3 being pulled backwards, which further facilitates the removal of the root 17. As the shaft 2 is pulled further back, the fulcrum point slowly moves towards the rear of the fulcrum member 4, thus maintaining a constant generally vertical pull on the root 17, which is important for the successful, complete removal of the root 17.

The major features of the preferred embodiment are: the shape and construction of the working blade 3 in that the forward curve of the blade 3 and the symmetrical widening of the elongate slot 8 allow the tool to engage, deform, wedge and grip the plant root 17 in a gentle but firm manner whilst pulling the root 17 generally vertically upwards from the earth. Straight or slightly bent blades and straight edged prongs tend to cut or rake or not grip the root at all; the symmetrical arcs where the elongate slot 8 widens can be shaped so that the slot 8 can easily accommodate and grip roots up to 35 mm in diameter; the blade 3 is also designed such that the plant roots 17 are engaged deep in the soil, e.g. approximately 170 mm deep, thus significantly increasing the tool's ability to firstly loosen the surrounding soil 16 around the root 17 and then pull up an entire root 17 or at least two thirds of the root 17, rendering the remaining root 17 incapable of re-growth; finally by the way in which the fulcrum member 4 and the curve of the working blade 3 are constructed and aligned, they work in combination with each other to assist in the vertical upwards pull imparted to the root 17 when the tool is operated, simultaneously imparting a vertical pulling/pushing force generally along the line of the root 17, thus even further enhancing the ability of the tool to pull an entire root structure from the ground. The combination of these features provides greatly improved operation.

Example

The entire tool is currently made from a combination of steel alloys but alternatively the tool may be manufactured from any other materials such as other metal alloys, ferrous or non-ferrous, plastics, composites or any other materials that may be developed in the future that have the necessary strength and qualities for the purposes in which this tool is used.

A preferred tool has the following:

Handle 1 - cylindrical steel tube, approximately 27 mm diameter, 900 mm long, attached to the top of the shaft 2 by welding.

Shaft 2 - extruded cylindrical steel tube, approximately 27 or 30 mm diameter, approximately 1000 mm length.

Blade 3 - approximately 8 mm thick high strength steel or stainless steel, cut, cast or forged to shape, welded to the shaft 2;

- approximately 210 mm long, approximately 40 mm wide in its parallel portion, flaring out to approximately 50 mm width at the outer edges of the tips 10, 11.

Elongate slot 8 - length approximately 100 mm, width approximately 5.5 mm at the closed end 9;

- length of parallel portion approximately 50 mm;

- widening portion widening in symmetrical circular arcs;

- gap between the tips 10, 11 approximately 40 mm; angle α - approximately 25°; angle β - approximately 23°; angle γ - approximately 38°;

- point 12 approximately 30 mm below point 15.

Fulcrum member 4 - formed from a single steel sheet of approximately 2 mm up to approximately 5 mm thickness, cut and bent as appropriate, welded to the shaft 2 where the shaft 2 passes through the foot plate 14 and at the base of the soil-engaging part 13;

- angle δ - approximately 37°;

- foot plate 14 - approximately 100 mm from front to rear, approximately 85 mm above the closed end 9 of the slot 8.

Second Tool, Figures 11 and 12

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate that the shelf 2 can be any suitable shape, indicated here as oval, considerably increasing its strength. In addition, the shaft 2 can be tapered as appropriate. Figures 11 and 12 also illustrate that the fulcrum member 4 can be formed with a notch 20, though this does not form part of the present invention.

Third Tool. Figures 13 and 14

The modifications illustrated by Figures 13 and 14 can be applied singularly to the tool of Figures 1 to 8, or altogether.

The tips 10, 11 of the prongs 6, 7 can be pointed.

The slot 8 can be slightly tapered outwardly and downwardly for a substantial portion of the length of the slot 8, say at a taper half angle of 1° to 3° (approximately 2° is shown).

The soil-engaging part 13 and the foot plate 14 can meet at a sharp angle.

The fulcrum member 4 can be secured to the lower end of the shaft 2 in any suitable manner, e.g. by welding as in the Example above, whilst the blade 3 is bolted to the lower end of the shaft 2. Figure 14 illustrates the use of two bolts 21, 22 having countersunk heads 23, 24 which are flush with the front surface of the blade 3 (or alternatively, coach bolts with domed surfaces could be used) and are secured by nuts 25, 26. The lower end 15 of the soil-engaging part 13 abuts the back of the blade 3 and reduces any tendency for the blade 3 to be twisted relative to the shaft 2, about the axis of the shaft 2.

The use of bolts 21, 22 means that, in the event of damage, the blade 3 may be replaced easily. Also, working blades 3 of various sizes may be attached for different jobs. For example, a larger blade 3 may be added for use with small trees or large shrubs etc. and a smaller working part for delicate plants or on a manicured lawn where minimal soil disturbance is required. For example, by roughly halving all the dimensions given in the Example for the blade 3 and fulcrum member 4 and having a shaft length of approximately 45 cm, one provides a tool suitable for use where minimal soil disturbance is required. Conversely, for large shrubs or small trees, roughly doubling the dimensions of the blade 3 and fulcrum member 4, and having a shaft length of approximately 1.8 m would produce a suitable tool.

General

If desired, a special scraper can be provided for removing soil from the slot 8, which in any case must be kept clear of obstruction in order to function properly.

Although the above embodiments of the tool relate to a rooting or uprooting device, it will apply equally to other botanical tools, including botanical replanting tools, as the whole root system is removed and gripped by the tool, and can be moved without touching the part of the flower, and it should be appreciated that further modifications and variations will suggest themselves to those versed in the art upon making reference to the foregoing description, which is given by way of example only and which is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention. The invention also consists in any individual features described or implicit herein or shown or implicit in the drawings or any combination of any such features or any generalisation of any such features or combination, which extends to equivalents thereof.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

For convenience, the tool is described and claimed herein as though it were in the upright position with the shaft 2 vertical. However, the invention extends to the tool in all other orientations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A horticultural or agricultural tool for uprooting plants, comprising: an elongate shaft; a working part on the lower portion of the shaft, the lower region of the working part comprising two prongs between which there is a narrow elongate central longitudinal gap which widens out towards its lower end, the prongs being arranged to engage on either side of a root of a plant; and a fulcrum member extending rearwardly in the region of the top of the working part and arranged so that the tool pivots about a region below the soil surface when tilted backwards; whereby the prongs can loosen soil above, below and on all sides of a region where the prongs engage the root, and the plant can be uprooted by thrusting the prongs and the fulcrum member below the soil surface adjacent the plant, tilting the tool backwards to pivot the tool about the region below the soil surface and to engage the root securely in the elongate gap, and further tilting the tool backwards to pull up the root in a generally vertical direction.

2. A tool according to Claim 1, wherein the fulcrum member comprises a soil- engaging surface which is inclined rearwardly and upwardly.

3. A horticultural or agricultural tool, comprising: an elongate shaft; a working part on the lower portion of the shaft, the lower region of the working part comprising two prongs between which is an elongate longitudinal gap, the prongs being arranged to engage on either side of a root of a plant; and a fulcrum member comprising a soil-engaging surface which is inclined rearwardly and upwardly from the working part, which fulcrum member is arranged so that the tool pivots about a region below the soil surface when tilted backwards; whereby the prongs can loosen soil above, below and on all sides of a region where the prongs engage the root, and the plant can be uprooted by thrusting the prongs and the fulcrum member below the soil surface adjacent the plant, tilting the tool backwards to pivot the tool about the region below the soil surface and to engage the root securely in the gap, and further tilting the tool backwards to pull up the root in a generally vertical direction.

4. A tool according to Claim 3, wherein the gap is a narrow elongate central longitudinal gap and widens out towards its lower end.

5. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the fulcrum member forms the rear surface of a wedge having a thin end which is directed downwards, above the prongs.

6. A tool according to Claim 5, wherein the working part forms the front surface of the wedge.

7. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the lower end of the fulcrum member soil-engaging surface is at least approximately the same width as the adjacent portion of the working part, as seen looking at the front of the tool.

8. A tool according to any preceding Claim, wherein the fulcrum member soil- engaging surface tapers outwardly from its lower part, as seen looking at the front of the tool.

9. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the fulcrum member is arranged so the tool pivots about a region approximately 13 cm to approximately 15 cm below the soil surface.

10. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the gap is at least 10 cm in length.

11. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the gap is between 5 mm and 6 mm wide immediately adjacent its narrowest part.

12. A tool according to Claim 11, wherein the gap is approximately 5.5 mm wide immediately adjacent its narrowest part.

13. A tool according to any of Claims 1, 2 and 4 to 12, wherein the sides of the gap are slightly tapered outwardly and downwardly for a substantial portion of the length of the gap, followed by a greater widening of the gap at its lower end.

14. A tool according to any of Claims 2, and 4 to 12, wherein the sides of the gap are substantially parallel for a substantial portion of the length of the gap, followed by a widening of the gap at its lower end.

15. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein in the lower part of the gap, the sides of the gap are arcuately flared outwards.

16. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the gap adjacent its upper end is narrower than either of the prongs at that level.

17. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the upper end of the gap is closed.

18. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein each prong is flared outwards at the tip.

19. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the inner sides of the prongs, on either side of the gap, as seen in horizontal section, are parallel and at substantially 90° to the plane bisecting both prongs.

20. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein as seen in horizontal section the prongs have a flat front surface.

21. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the prongs are curved or inclined forward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

22. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the insides of the tips of the prongs are less than about 55 mm apart.

23. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the insides of the tips of the prongs are more than about 35 mm apart.

24. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the working part is rigidly coupled to the shaft, and the fulcrum member extends rearwardly in the region adjacent the coupling of the shaft and the working part.

25. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the upper end of the gap is closed and is adjacent the level of the lowest part of the fulcrum member.

26. A tool according to any of the preceding Claims, and comprising a generally horizontal member connected to the top of the fulcrum member, upon which generally horizontal member the foot can be placed to thrust the fulcrum member below the soil surface.

27. A method of weeding, using a tool according to any of the preceding Claims.

28. A method of weeding, using a tool according to any of Claims 1 to 26, comprising thrusting the prongs and at least the lower part of the fulcrum member below the soil surface adjacent the root of the plant, tilting the tool backwards to pivot the tool about a region below the soil surface and to engage the root securely in the gap between the prongs of the tool, and a further tilting the tool backwards to pull up the root in a generally vertical direction.

29. A method according to Claim 29, wherein the root is engaged approximately 10 cms below the surface of the soil.

30. A method according to Claim 29 or 30, comprising loosening soil on all sides of, and above and below, the region at which the root of the plant is to be engaged, to a depth of approximately 20 cms below the soil surface.

31. A horticultural or agricultural tool, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 or Figures 11 and 12 or Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A method of uprooting a plant, substantially as herein described with reference o Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.