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William Wagner[_2_] · 16-08-2007, 03:55 PM posted to rec.gardens

In article . com,
wrote:

I had 7 large pines removed because they were shading the plot for my
future vegetable garden and because they had lost most of the needles
from the lower third of the trees. I couldn't bring myself to pay an
additional small fortune to grind the stumps, so they were cut off
flush with the ground. I would like to plant a mixed shrub border in
this spot to provide some visual interest as well as a low windbreak.
Will I be able to get anything to grow here with the remains of the
pine roots still in place? Since the trees are gone they will
obviously not be competing with the new plants for water or nutrients,
but will the pine roots allow the new plants to spread their own roots
and become established?
The soil is clay/loam and somewhat rocky, in addition to the remains
of the pines. Other plantings outside of this root zone have done very
well since I bought the house 4 yrs. ago. The area does get full sun
in zone 5.

I do not know if a pine was ever coppiced. (sp?) By this do pines put
up suckers like holly or oak ? Anyway I'd drive a copper nail into the
stump if it shows interest in growing.
Flat stumps could provide a place for a few large pots or a place to
secure a mail box to keep frequently used hand tools.

Bill

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade

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