Question
Recently a neighbor dug out 4 tree stumps that were on his property, but close to our dividing line. He filled in the empty holes with dirt. Now, any time that it rains, a large amount of water pools near the area where the stumps used to be. I am wondering if tree stumps left in the ground continue to absorb water? and...what shrubs would be best planted in that area to absorb excess water?

Thank you for your assistance


Answer
Marcia,

The trees would have absorbed,  but the tree stumps?

Hmmm.  I guess, if the stumps were old enough, the roots would have been rotting, leaving channels down through the soil for the water to run down.   So if he pulls the stumps, and fills the holes, those channels are gone, and the water now has nowhere to go.  So yep, I think it's possible.  This change in drainage would be even more noticeable if the fill dirt were clay, subsoil junk, rather than topsoil, and would be exacerbated by the machines (truck?)  he used  compacting the soil in the area.

As far as plant recommendation...I'd need to know what area you live (generally), and how large the space is you are trying to fill, and if you are trying to turn these shrubs into a hedge, or just want them as stand alone space fillers.

For what it's worth,
Mark in Portland