Russell
Founder and Level 3 arborist
Started the whole thing in 2005. Still the one leaning on the tractor while the tree hangs in the air.
Every tree tells a story
What started as a passion for Australia's breathtaking native beauty has grown into the nation's largest tree relocation business.
Trusted by everyone from Hollywood stars to suburban families across Queensland. Russell Clark and the Ace of Spades team are hardworking Queenslanders who believe that every magnificent tree deserves a chance to thrive, and every home deserves the beauty and value that comes with mature, established trees.
Our philosophy is simple. Why destroy when you can preserve? Why start from scratch when you can relocate perfection? Over two decades we have moved centuries old specimens, saved heritage trees from development, and helped create landscapes that would have taken decades to grow naturally.
Today, with our specialised equipment and unmatched expertise, we are not just moving trees. We are preserving Australia's natural heritage, one relocation at a time.
Russell Clark
Level 3 arborist and Queensland's tree relocation pioneer.
You have not met true passion for trees until you have met Russell Clark. He does not simply relocate trees, he reshapes the way people think about landscapes, trees and the environment through genuine, hands on dedication.
From timber to trees
Russell's journey began in 1994 as a qualified Wood Machinist and Joiner, where he developed a deep appreciation for working with timber. His passion soon evolved toward living trees, and by 1998 he had completed his trade and begun transitioning into arboriculture, driven by a desire to preserve, not process, Australia's remarkable tree species.
The Toowoomba years
From 2002 to 2005, Russell worked as a Senior Tree Surgeon with Toowoomba City Council. During this time he refined the specialist skills that would later transform large scale tree relocation across Queensland. It was here that he recognised a critical shift was needed. Trees deserved advocacy and long term protection, not just routine management.
A vision becomes reality
In late 2005, Russell founded Ace of Spades with a clear mission: to demonstrate that no tree is too large, too valuable or too complex to be successfully relocated.
Beyond Queensland
Russell's expertise has taken him from complex mine site bottle tree relocations to the design and installation of significant arboricultural works for the National Arboretum in Canberra. His specialist reporting has supported major infrastructure projects, including the Brisbane Tunnel Project and Airport Link. International clients, including organisations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, regularly seek his advice on complex and high risk arboricultural projects.
The human touch
Despite building one of Australia's most specialised tree relocation operations, Russell remains personally involved in community and residential projects, from backyard tree climbing to stump grinding. For Russell, every tree matters, regardless of scale.
The team
Small outfit. Everyone pulls their weight, one of them literally.
Aimee
Administration and customer care
Keeps the office running and the clients looked after. Also in charge of keeping Russell fed and clean.
Ace
Chief of Security and Bone QA
Guards the yard and personally quality checks every bone. None have passed inspection to date.
Our values
Passion for preservation
Every tree has value beyond measure. We do not just relocate trees, we rescue living heritage. Our genuine love for Australia's native species drives us to find creative solutions where others see only obstacles.
Expertise that delivers
Australia's largest fleet is not just for show. Our specialised equipment, combined with decades of hands on experience, means we can tackle relocations that others would not even attempt. When everyone else says impossible, we say interesting.
Relationships that grow
We are in this for the long haul. From initial consultation to watching your relocated trees flourish years later, we build partnerships, not transactions. Your success is our legacy.
See how professional tree relocation works
Discover our proven methodology for safely moving mature trees, and how expert relocation can transform your property.
See if we can move it→
