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?


As the roots decay, your new plants will be somewhat N starved, so
be prepared to supplement. Otherwise, if you can get the new plants
in the ground and keep them watered, you should be fine.

Our property is a mostly clay soil with lots of rocks... lots and lots
and lots of rocks. I far prefer to plant smaller specimens (1 gallon
size and smaller) because otherwise I have to get the neighbor with
the backhoe to dig planting holes for me. Hope yours is not quite so
rocky. g I also often have to finish filling the hole with
compost or such, because when I remove a few rocks to get enough
room to plant, the soil volume isn't enough to refill the hole.
Because long term perennials (including shrubs and trees) do better
in the long run in un-amended soil, I do try to refill with as
much native soil as I can.


Kay