How to Plant a New Tree in a Removed Tree Location
Dead tree removal, especially for a large tree, can be costly. Because of the high costs involved with a larger excavation, many homeowners choose to leave the lower portion of the trunk and the roots intact when hiring a tree removal service. But this does not mean that you are stuck with that unattractive stump forever. Once the stump begins to decay, plant a new tree in the removed tree's location. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a new tree for the old location. The root ball of the new tree must fit inside the decaying stump, with at least 6 inches of extra breathing room all around.
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Remove as much of the decaying wood from the center of the old stump as you can, using your hands and a sturdy shovel. Decaying wood should simply crumble and break off. Discard the decayed wood.
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Slip the new tree out of its nursery container and deposit it in the center of the decaying tree stump. Keep the root flare--the transition point where roots meet the trunk--above the soil line after planting.
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Backfill around the root ball with soil from your yard. Using the same type of soil that already exists in the location is essential to the health of the new tree.
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Water the tree generously immediately after planting. Use a soaker hose and provide the new tree with at least 1 inch of water per week, keeping the soil moist at a depth of 1 inch at all times. After the first growing season, established trees only require watering during droughts.
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Tips & Warnings
If the original tree died of disease, choose a species of tree that is resistant to that disease. A professional arborist can help you decide on a resistant species.
Do not over-water the new tree. If the soil already feels moist when you press your fingers down to a 1-inch depth, skip the watering and check the soil again in a day or so.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Inside a Tree Stump image by John Walsh from Fotolia.com
