Amherst Homeowner Has Stump Removed, Wonders When to Replant
A homeowner in Amherst, NH contacted us about a large pine tree in his front yard. The tree was dead and needed to be taken down so that it didn’t pose a risk to the home. We removed the tree, along with the stump. With the tree gone, the homeowner just felt like something was missing. He was anxious to replant at that site, but sometimes replanting in the same location isn’t that always possible.
Underground Tree Roots May Present an Obstacle for Replanting
Even after the stump has been removed and ground up, there can be a labyrinth of roots underground still remaining. This is particularly true when larger trees have been removed. If you are determined to use this existing site for replanting, you will need to remove as many of these underground roots as possible before planting the new tree. You may need to use a pickaxe to chop these old roots, making this slow and labor intensive work. Leaving the root system in place can seriously impede the growth of a new tree’s roots.
Replanting to Give the New Tree Room to Grow
The best course of action is not to replant in the same location, but about three feet or more away from where the tree was originally. For larger trees, which have deeper and more elaborate root systems, you may need to give even more distance from this original location.
Instead of replanting on the exact site of the tree, a better option may be planting a shrub, flowers, or even grass where the tree was taken down. Stump removal can sometimes cause impressions in the ground, so the area may need to be leveled off first.
Taking into consideration our suggestions, the homeowner in Amherst opted to plant a new tree a safe six feet away, assuring that the new tree will thrive. As for the site of the stump removal, the family opted to go with a grassy area in its place.
