Question
QUESTION: Hi. My 36" Norway Maple was in major decline and had to be removed. It was in a tricky tight area, against a fence and in a row of 6' tall boxwood. The tree was ground down about 8"-12" as best as possible.
To fill in the gap, can I plant another large boxwood right on top of the remaining stump left below ground? Can this be done with any success or would the new boxwood be doomed.  Thanks, George.

ANSWER: You may not be able to plant right on top of the old stump since the stump will still be under the ground even though it was ground down. You can move slightly to the side--- the decaying stump will not effect the health of the boxwood.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. How long does it take a 36" maple stump, ground down to 12" below the surface, (I know there is a lot of stump and root still there) to decompose? There is no slightly to side space here.  If I put the boxwood rootball right on top of the remaining stump in the ground, (the only space in this tight area) and surround the sides with soil, what would happen?  I want to put a BIG plant here, but don't want to waste the hundreds it will cost if there is no chance of survival. Other than eventual slow settling, what are the complications for the boxwood.
Thanks again.
George.

Answer
The time depends on the location and the weather conditions. Here is the deep southern US a stump will rot in a couple of years but in the Western US it may take 10 years. You could cover the are with a berm of soil and plant the boxwood in on this berm. Make the berm about two feet tall and this should give enough soil for the root system of the boxwood to survive. mulch the area with not more then 3 inches of mulch. This will help hold moisture.
Over time as the stump roots I would think the berm and boxwood would sink and eventually be even with the ground surface.