Question
I bought a house 8 months ago and there are two trees I would like to remove and replace with new trees. One tree is a mostly dead apricot tree and the other is a gigantic plum tree. The plum tree is much taller than I have read they are supposed to get, and it is much too large for my yard and to be able to collect fruit. It is multi-trunked with small reddish fruits and yellow flesh.

For the Apricot tree, after I cut it down is it ok to plant close to the stump? In case the tree is diseased I am concerned about spreading of disease to a new fruit (type not yet determined).

For the plum tree once I cut it down I am worried about it sending suckers up throughout the yard. How can I prevent this? Is it ok to remove some of the roots, or should I just cut the tree flush with the ground?  

Answer
Any "disease" that may have killed the apricot will not be transfered to a new planted tree near by. To kill the root system of the plum the best way is to spray a herbicide called Roundup on the stunp as soon as you cut the tree. Go ahead and cut it flush and then spray the Roundup on the new cut surface. The herbicide will translocated into the root system killing th root and stopping any new sprouting. You will not need much so buy the smallest size you can find. Get the concentrate not the ready mixed kind. Roundup will kill any green plant so make sure you do not put it on anything not wanted to be killed. Wait a couple of days and you can plant in this area with no problem.