Planting a Tree Next to Old Stump?

I had a dead American Elm cut down last year; then I had the stump grinded down to just below ground level. The tree was dead for two years, but the problem is that what remains of the stump is hard as a rock. The trunk was about 36" in diameter. I have drilled holes in it and I burned several bags of charcoal over it, but I still can't remove much more of the stump yet. I want to plant another tree in the same spot ASAP. I think with an axe and a shovel, I can probably get a hole dug right next to the stump. Would it be OK to stick a new tree in there or will the decaying roots hurt the new tree or will the remaining stump and roots limit the new growth too much? I'm looking at planting an 8' Pin Oak, or some type of oak.

Thanks!

 

The key will be digging a proper hole for the new tree. The width of the hole should be at least three times the diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots if a bare root tree. The tree needs enough worked earth for its roots to become established.

 

To get a hole that big, I'll probably have to move pretty far from the original site, or spend a lot more time/money on this old stump. I guess I'll have to rethink that.

 

If it is imperative that your new tree be planted in exactly the same spot as the previous one then hire a backhoe and dig up the stump. Then you'll probably have to bring in some good quality soil to fill that big hole before you can replant.

Why don't you just get as close to the old stunp as you can and dig as big a hole as you can,plant the tree and go with it. The decaying stump will have no adverse impact on your new tree as it decomposes other than the soil will settle as the stump gradually rots away.

An old method of helping a new tree in a difficult spot is to dig as wide a hole as is practically possible then use post hole diggers to dig a much less wide but much deeper hole in the center of your new planting hole that you then refill with good soil. This allows the new tree to send roots down much deeper much sooner. This means that the tree will have access to water that is farther below the surface during times of drought in the future.

I learned this technique from a fine elderly gentleman who, while I was working on his property, pointed out that he and his brother-in-law who lived next door had each planted a willow oak in their front yards on the same day many years before. After explaining the double hole planting method to me I then understood why his tree was remarkably larger and healther looking than the one planted next door on the same day 30 years ago.

Best of luck with your tree, 38 years in the business and still learning...Greensboro_man

 

Thanks! I'll give that a shot. Moving over a few feet might actually be a better spot in terms of distance to the house and sidewalk, but it just means that I will need to move a lot of dirt around to keep an attractive grade. Basically, the lawn slopes down from the point of the old stump, so I might need to add a lot of soil to the planting area to extend the 'high ground'. There was a huge tree in this spot and I would like there to be another huge tree there some day. (I was told Pin Oaks are the fastest growing oaks.)

Next, I plan to plant a Norway Spruce close to where there was a big Mulberry tree. At least the grade is level there.

 

When you say pin oak do you mean the oak with the long slender leaf? If so this is a common mis-identafication of the willow oak. Pin oaks have your typical oak leaf appearence but with needle like tips at the leaf ends.

As far as wanting to plant a fast growing tree you are not limited to one or two trees. Many Trees are fast growing in their early years. Proper planting and watering along with regular feeding are the largest impactors on growth rate over time regardless of the variety of tree you plant.

Personally the willow oak, the one with ths slender leaf, woukd not be my first choice. It's not nearly as graceful as most other oaks and its' leaves are a pain to get up in the fall and in my area, central North Carolina, It's about the only oak tree anyone plants primarily because of it's fast growing reputation leading to over use of one variety of tree.

Your local agricultural agent would be an excellant resource for possible fast growing trees in your area. Their advise is free and in my experience they are quite knowlegeable.

Good luck with your planting ...... Greensboro_man