Can I plant a serviceberry tree over an area that has existing roots from a dead arborvitae?
Question:I'm adding two feet of humus and compost on top of the area first.
Answers:
Sure! The dead roots will decompose and feed the new plant. Even of you dug the arborvitae up, you'd never get all the roots out - so why bother? I've done stuff like that myself, and it's been fine.
Well just from a lay-person's opinion, if you had a plant/bush/tree die in that spot, I would dig up as many of the roots as possible before planting a new tree, if disease caused the pre-existing plant to die , you don't want to put a healthy plant in bad soil, plus you want the new plant to have plenty of room for their own roots to grow and form, keeping a new plant healthy is not going to happen if the roots have to struggle. it may mean some work but in the long run why waste money on a healthy plant that more than likely won't make it in a spot that isn't healthy to begin with.. once the roots are dug up, then turn over the soil and treat with fertilizers such as compost and other nutrient rich supplements. then once well turned over and mixed you want to make sure you water the new plant well in order to insure that the roots get a good establishment in the ground. Reading about the characteristics of this often overlooked flowering tree you most assuredly want to give it a healthy home so that it gives you lasting beauty year after year. Happy digging!!
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