Our ISA-licensed arborists at Urban Jacks entertain many inquiries from business owners and residents every month about soil fertilization, replanting, and lawn care. We encounter questions like, “Can you plant a tree where one was removed?” and “Can you put another plant at the same spot after tree removal?” from many curious minds. We are proud to be Arkadelphia’s trusted tree service company with a five-star rating from HomeAdvisor, and our expert crew is always prepared to give dependable advice.
According to the National Association of State Foresters, private companies and individuals own over 445 million acres of woodland across America, where they plant, cut, and relocate millions of trees annually. Some cut down aging trees after discovering microbial infections and parasites that might spread to neighboring foliage, while some replant trees to a more convenient location for construction projects.
At Urban Jacks, we believe tree planting is always an excellent idea, even if you have to do it at the spot where a previous tree once stood. So, the short answer is yes, you could plant trees on second-hand real estate, but there are a few caveats.
Planning a Healthy Future for Your Tree
Potential Soil Problems
Planting a tree where a previous tree once stood is often the last resort for urban planners and tree service companies because it can lead to malnutrition, moisture deficiencies, and weakened immune systems.
The previous tree would have eliminated most of the nutrients from the soil, which your new one needs to live. You can replace lost minerals like potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen with an ordinary fertilizer, but nutrients like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, and amino acids must be inherent in the soil. An imbalance of these elements will cause your tree to grow stunted, prone to infestations, or have a shortened lifespan.
Tree Shavings and Sawdust
Whenever people ask us, “Can you plant a tree where one was removed?” we find that they are in a hurry to complete a manicured lawn, parking lot, or mini golf course. They often leave sawdust from stump grinding and cutting on the planting site, which alters the nutrient profile of the surrounding soil.
Sawdust contains too much oxygen, carbon, and acid compounds to support fertile soil for trees. Most farmers use it as mulch or fertilizer for acid-loving plants, like rhododendrons and a few vegetables.
Not Enough Room to Grow
Removing dead tree roots from your planting site is essential when replanting. Roots from neighboring tree stumps are also harmful as they might harbor fungal diseases and wood-eating pests. Other trees’ roots can suffocate your new tree and prevent its young roots from burrowing deep into the ground.
If you can not remove a tree stump or the old roots from a previous tree, we recommend planting your new seedling at least eight feet away.
What to Do Before Planting a New Tree in the Same Spot
Planting a new tree in the same spot takes a bit more legwork, but if you do it right, you will have a new tree with perfect placement.
- If your old tree died from disease, kill all pathogens with a fungicide before putting in your new one
- Let the roots of the old tree decompose for eight to twelve months before replanting
- Prepare your planting spot by eliminating sawdust from the previous stump and putting in new topsoil and compost
Contact Urban Jacks for More Advice
So, can you plant a tree where one was removed? Yes, but you have to prepare the site a bit more meticulously. For a beginner’s guide to tree trimming and pruning and more advice about replanting, contact Urban Jacks at (501) 547-4018.
