Hi,

2 years ago I had a large mugo pine cut down and the stump ground down. I don't know how deep they ground it down but it was a oversized bush with about a 16 inch stump.

I'd like to put a small tree where the pine was and the space isn't that large. Maybe 20'x15'. So, I wouldn't have much room to move around to put the tree. Getting to my question. How long does it take for the roots of the old bush/tree to start rotting were I can dig and put in a new tree? is there a way to tell?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

Shawn,

Plant the new tree wherever you want it to be placed (except for maybe the exact spot of the old stump). If you encounter some old roots, simply cut through them. It takes a few years for old roots to rot completely.
fred

 

Hi Shawn,

You're going to need a tree with a very small crown. Here's a site you can use to research the mature height and width of your new tree.

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/index.htm

Good luck,
Newt