How Close Can You Plant A Tree To A Stump?

[TonySoprano]

What's the minimum distance I can plant a Crabapple tree away from a Sawtooth Oak tree stump ?. Ideally I'd of had someone come in and dig the stump , roots and all out , BUT it's hard to get anyone. My Father who lives next door has had two Excavators quote the "day rate" $850-$1000 to remove 8 stumps and a tree on his property and after giving them the job they never show up. Obviously they got a better paying job, BUT why even come out to give estimates when told on the phone it's for digging out stumps ?

I got a quote yesterday of $400 to grind three 20 year old Sawtooth oaks stumps , seemed a little high to me so I'm probably just going to leave them for now , since my trees should arrive tomorrow.

I did a google search and it said keep at least 3 feet away from the stump another said 6 to 8 foot ....just wanted to see what distance you'all recommend.

 

[H20fwler]

I've never had issues planting close to oak stumps, I would think staying at least 5'-6' away would help the digging go easier.

Now walnut stumps are a whole different cat...they will kill a fruit tree or conifer. Walnut puts out that juglone poison or something like that, the roots, leaves, nuts wood everything. I learned the hard way planting to close (within 20') to a fresh walnut stump maybe seven years ago. It killed a pear tree and a couple spruce. The only thing it didn't kill was a chestnut 6' away. That juglone stays in the ground a long time here with the clay.

 

[BrushyPines]

I've planted close to many pine stumps after they were thinned and have had no problems. A pine stump could be totally different than a hardwood stump due to the root system though. I would think over time the stump/roots would be free fertilizer once it's fully rotted and broken down.

 

[TonySoprano]

I've planted close to many pine stumps after they were thinned and have had no problems. A pine stump could be totally different than a hardwood stump due to the root system though. I would think over time the stump/roots would be free fertilizer once it's fully rotted and broken down.

I just texted the last Excavator who said he was going to remove stumps for my Father. That was only 3-4 weeks ago so I can understand he can be behind. BUT it's not unusual for them or any other business to ghost you around here after you give them a job lol. IF he does the job for my Father I would think he'd give me a deal and remove my 3 stumps for $300 or so . If he doesn't reply by tonight I found another guy who will come out to give an estimate.

So now I'm on the fence , I may plant one tree next to a stump....OR get a bag of potting soil and put the tree in a large pot until the stumps gone. Worst case I'm out $28 for the tree if it doesn't make it.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I've planted apple trees as close as I can get to the stump. Over time, that old stump will rot away and provide some food for your growing apple tree. You can sprinkle a little nitrogen fertilizer on top of the stump to expedite the rotting process.

Planting close to stumps does make it more difficult to run a brush hog next to the apple trees though.

 

[bigboreblr]

How big is the stump? Hand dig around the stump to get about 6 inches below the surface. Like 5-10 minutes with a garden hoe. Take a paddle bit and drill down and then connect another hole along the side. Make airflow get into the stump more. Put a nice pile of cut firewood ontop of it. Grab some beers and a radio. Got a piece on metal to put over the top of the fire, like a peeled open 55 gallon drum or old car hood. Put it ontop of the smoldering fire when the nights done. Plant the tree in a few days afterward.

 

[Bill]

I rented a stump grinder two weeks ago for a day. Ground 6 at my house and 3 at my sons. Anywhere you can rent one? Cost about $300.

 

[TonySoprano]

How big is the stump? Hand dig around the stump to get about 6 inches below the surface. Like 5-10 minutes with a garden hoe. Take a paddle bit and drill down and then connect another hole along the side. Make airflow get into the stump more. Put a nice pile of cut firewood ontop of it. Grab some beers and a radio. Got a piece on metal to put over the top of the fire, like a peeled open 55 gallon drum or old car hood. Put it ontop of the smoldering fire when the nights done. Plant the tree in a few days afterward.

It's right good sized , plus there are 3 of them. I have hand dug out plenty of stumps in the past with a pick , axe , shovel and pry bar . I started digging out a smaller sawtooth oak stump last year, I believe they have a long tap root. I think if I spend another hour working on it I can get that one out. However the other 3 stumps are much bigger. It's time to admit that in my mid 50's I'm not in shape like I use to be , and don't want to risk killing myself digging out 3 big stumps , although I'd probably still attempt some smaller ones to save a buck.

I got in touch with the Excavator that ghosted my Fathers stump job , he claims he lost my Fathers phone number, but drove up his driveway last week and "it didn't look like anyone was home" even though there is -always- one vehicle parked there at ALL times , so I think it's a BS story. The day he gave the estimate he said he was going to call the power company to mark the lines.... that never happened. So I don't know what to believe.

Anyway He said He'll be there Tomorrow or Friday. My Trees arrive tomorow, If the guy actually shows up I think the fastest and best solution would be to have him dig out the 3 stumps if he will do it for $300 . His day rate is $850 , I'd go up to that if he pushes 4 other big trees over stumps and all, and and puts them in a burn pile.

 

[TonySoprano]

I rented a stump grinder two weeks ago for a day. Ground 6 at my house and 3 at my sons. Anywhere you can rent one? Cost about $300.

Home Depot I believe , never checked the price though . The Excavator doing a stump job for my Father next door now claims to be coming Thursday or Friday. I'll get a price from him first .

 

[bigboreblr]

I rented a stump grinder two weeks ago for a day. Ground 6 at my house and 3 at my sons. Anywhere you can rent one? Cost about $300.

Which one you rent? The 25hp toro with tracks and swinging arm, or those 13hp ones you got to push around and sweep across the stump yourself?

 

[Bill]

The toro track machine with hydraulic swing arm. It was pretty impressive.

 

[bigboreblr]

You probably cant rent the machne for cheaper than the $300 quote.

I purchased a 13hp version over the winter. Haven't tried it yet. Was planning to use it for a few days then pass it along on marketplace.

I loose about 3-4 hours of work time at camp driving to the rental place.

 

[TonySoprano]

You probably cant rent the machne for cheaper than the $300 quote.

I purchased a 13hp version over the winter. Haven't tried it yet. Was planning to use it for a few days then pass it along on marketplace.

I loose about 3-4 hours of work time at camp driving to the rental place.

I never got a quote of $300 to dig them out , that was just me guessing . The stump guy said $400 to grind 3 stumps , and I had him give me a 2 nd estimate to include 3-4 more smaller stumps that I didn't mention before for a total of $600.00

The Excavator gave me a price of $850.00 ( The Max I was willing to pay) to dig out the 3 stumps , plus the 3-4 smaller stumps , knock over 2 large trees and dig the roots out and stack it all on a burn pile , cut two other big trees so they fall right on my burn pile but not dig out thier roots. He's going to knock down one more small dead tree , then grade it off with the blade on the back of his small Excavator.

I gave him the go ahead and he's just about done,He just has to cut the last two trees and level it off this morning.
I think for the extra $250 I made the right call by having the Excavator do the job . By him removing those trees It gives me room to plant 4 more crabapples in my tree plot next year .

My trees from Whitetail crabs arrived last night, so the timing worked out perfectly. I should have them in the ground today.