Aarons Contracting Ltd is raising the standard for tree transplanting in NZ and has kicked off a new venture
In the lush, ever-changing landscapes of New Zealand, there’s a growing call for precision, care, and innovation in how we manage our green assets. Enter Aaron’s Contracting Ltd, a South Auckland-based contracting company with deep roots in vegetation management, earthworks, and increasingly, specialist tree transplanting services. With a decade of hands-on experience, Aaron Blackbourn and his team has quietly become one of the region’s go-to experts for moving trees big and small with skill, speed, and a keen respect for the natural environment.
A Roots-First Approach
Founded in 2008 and operating for over 15 years, Aaron’s Contracting is no stranger to Deals on Wheels readers, featuring here a couple of times over the last few years, mainly due to an innovative approach to their industry niche and a can-do attitude.
Recycling whatever they can is important for the company, and if they can’t save or shift a tree, they’ll make landscaping mulch, and they turn any other greenwaste into compost. Aaron’s can also remove any specimens that are destined for the chop free of charge, and even fill the hole.
What sets Aaron’s apart in a crowded contracting market isn’t just its breadth of services – it’s the quality of execution and the specialised machinery the team brings to each job. Whether mitigating overgrown land or delicately rescuing a treasured tree for relocation, they seem to easily combine heavy machinery with horticultural sensitivity.
“Our team are really skilled at what they do, and handles all our jobs with care and professionalism,” says Aaron.
The Art of Tree Transplanting
Tree transplanting – the process of moving a tree from one location to another while preserving its root system – used to be a back-breaking manual task, prone to damaging the tree and the surrounding land. Going along with that was the difficulty of moving larger trees. That all changed with the rise of mechanised transplanting tools known as tree spades.
Aaron’s Contracting’s transplanting service utilises truck-mounted tree spade machinery, including one of the largest units available in New Zealand. Mounted on an 8×4 truck, it can move specimen trees and even whole orchards, with remarkable efficiency. They’ve also got a smaller trailer-based tree spade in their arsenal.
“We used to see so many good, healthy trees go through the chipper that I decided there must be a better way to preserve them for future generations – and that is when we got serious about getting into transplanting,” says Aaron.
The principle is deceptively simple yet mechanically sophisticated: a set of hydraulic blades encircle the tree’s trunk underground, cutting around its root ball and lifting it – soil, roots, and all – so it can be transported and replanted with minimal shock to the plant. Typically used in larger landscaping projects, golf course renovations, orchard redesigns, or when a mature tree must be preserved through a subdivision build, mechanised tree spades turn what once took days into a matter of hours.
What makes the technology so compelling is not just speed, but the care for tree health. Modern tree spades can significantly reduce root disturbance, promoting higher survival rates after planting. For landowners who have invested decades into growing a tree, this means saving both time and plant health.
Mature Tree Nursery
Of course, in the real world, not all trees removed from properties have an immediate place to go, and that is why Aaron established a mature tree nursery, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s here that they transplant trees until a new home is found.
“My landlords, Cam and Beks Vernon (Vernon Developments), have been a huge help. I explained what we wanted to achieve, and they pointed to a piece of land and asked if that would do,” says Aaron.
“I think it’s great to be able to ensure healthy large tree specimens can be made available for reuse and instant shade.”
Beyond Transplanting
While the transplanting machinery often makes headlines, Aaron’s Contracting’s day-to-day work spans a wider contracting landscape. Whether clearing dense vegetation to prepare a site for development or pruning and removing problematic trees, the company functions as a one-stop solution for land and property maintenance.
This versatility is backed by a fleet of specialised equipment tailored to each task — from diggers and tip trucks to powerful chippers and mulchers, alongside the expertise to use them safely and effectively. That breadth lets the company serve rural, residential and commercial clients alike, adapting from large-scale site works to delicate arboriculture jobs.
Growing with the Market
As urban and rural landscapes evolve, so too does the demand for sophisticated vegetation management. The rapid growth of cities and provincial towns, coupled with heightened awareness about urban green spaces and native tree preservation, creates a niche where providers like Aaron’s Contracting can shine.
Clients today want more than clearance: they want planning, expert execution, and results that protect landscape health. The trend benefits companies that invest in high-end machinery and multi-disciplinary expertise – areas where Aaron and his team continue to expand their capabilities.
New Venture – Timberline
A recent venture for Aaron’s Contracting is the acquisition of Timberline Contracting and Landscape Supplies. Located in Drury, South Auckland, the well-established commercial and retail supplier of landscaping products now falls under Aaron’s ownership.
“I’ve admired the business for a long time, and when the opportunity came up to purchase it, I worked hard to ensure we could fit it into our existing structure and run as a sister company,” says Aaron.
“Timberline has a strong and loyal customer base, and the experienced staff ensures it always runs efficiently. With the two allied businesses running side by side, we’ve certainly entered 2026 on a roll.”
For more information, contact aarons.co.nz or Aaron Blackbourn 027 224 3846.
Images by David Lott