Question
I am having a tree service cut down an old pine tree in my backyard.  It is probably at least 60 years old.  I also have another pine tree growing right next to my house that is about 10 years old.
After the old pine tree is cut down and the stump grinded, can I move the 10 year old pine and plant it in the same exact spot as the old pine?  Would there be any problem with the old roots decomposing and the new pine tree roots trying to grow?

Answer
You will not be able to plant it in the exact same spot as the old tree. The grinding just removed the stump down below the soil surface and there is still a great deal of wood under the ground that will block the digging in the same spot. You can move say 5 feet away from the old stump and you should be able to dig there. The composing roots will not harm the new trees roots from growing. The place where the old stump was may sink as it decays over the years.


Deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the time when new foliage is partly unfurled. In the fall, they may be planted once the leaves start to turn color up until the ground freezes.

Although all trees and shrubs can be moved in either spring or fall, there are some which establish themselves better when moved in the spring, such as the softwoods (willows, poplars, birches).

Evergreens should be moved earlier in the fall than deciduous plants so they have time to form new roots. They need at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes. In the spring, Evergreens can be planted up to 4 weeks after deciduous trees have opened their leaves, providing that the newly planted trees receive adequate water.

Digging the root ball:

When you want to dig up a tree or shrub for transplanting, retain as much of the root system as possible.  

All ages of evergreens, can be successfully moved only if a ball of soil is left around the roots. The exposed roots should be protected with moist burlap or newspaper or with polyethylene sheeting. Every effort should be made to reduce root exposure to wind and sun, keeping the ball as moist as possible. It's best to prepare the hole before digging up the tree you wish to move.

Size of the root ball and size of the hole:

The soil ball should be:

Width = 9-12 in. in diameter/every 1 in. of tree diameter
Depth = 6 in./every 1 in. of tree diameter

For example: A tree trunk 2 inches wide would need a soil ball of 18-24 inches wide and 12 inches deep.

Dig the new hole twice the size of the rootball and as deep and fill with good top soil or potting soil. Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk.

As you can tell this maybe a large job depending on the trees size.