A tine holder for holding a plurality of aerator tines has a plurality of substantially vertical, tapered bores. A tapered collar is adapted to be received in each bore with the collar being split so that the collar contracts as the collar is slid into the bore. The upper end of an aerator tine is inserted into each collar before the collar is inserted into the bore such that the contraction of the collar as the collar is thereafter slid into the bore will suffice to tightly grip and hold each tine in the tine holder. A tool is provided for providing enough leverage on the collar to slide the collar over final portions of its movement as the collar slides into the bore during tine installation or to slide the collar over beginning portions of its movement as the collar slides out of the bore during tine removal.