Is There Something That Needs To Be Done To The…
Susan Asked
Is there something that needs to be done to the ground after an evergreen has been pulled out, before a tree is planted in the same spot?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Susan in Wyoming: When it comes to replacing a tree in the landscape, there needs to be some consideration taken into account before you replant. If you want to plant in the exact spot where the evergreen was, you will need to hire an arborist, preferably a certified one, to completely grind out the stump, remove the chips, and refill with new soil. Be sure to let the arborist know what your plans are in terms of replanting so they can be certain to remove all the chips. If all these steps are not taken, it is not going to be a healthy environment for any new tree to thrive. If you are not going to have the stump ground out and want to plant in the same area, that is fine, but you want to make sure you are far enough away from where the evergreen was growing that the roots of the new planting have ample space to grow. In most cases 6 to 8 feet away from the stump is sufficient. You can contact your county Extension service for recommendations for certified arborists in your area. It is also important to determine why the original evergreen declined in health. Some diseases can persist in the soil for decades, so getting a proper diagnosis is important in terms of the health of your new planting. This way you can choose a disease-resistant variety if needed and know that it will be fine to plant in the space.
