Home / Can you plant grass or a new tree after stump grinding?
Can you plant grass or a new tree after stump grinding?
Grass, yes, once the chips are dealt with. A new tree in the exact same spot needs a deeper grind and fresh soil, or you plant a few feet away.
Putting grass back
- Rake out most of the chips, or pay the crew to haul them away.
- Fill the hole with topsoil, mounded slightly, since it will settle.
- Firm it down with your feet or a roller.
- Seed or lay sod, and water it regularly until it roots.
Planting a new tree
A normal lawn grind goes a few inches below the surface. That leaves old roots and a lot of decaying chips that settle and compete with a young tree. If you want a tree in the same spot, ask for a deeper grind and have the chips replaced with fresh soil. Or plant a few feet away and skip the problem.
- Tell the crew you plan to replant when you request the quote.
- Ask about removing the chips from the hole, not just leaving them.
- Choose a species that suits Oklahoma clay, and avoid replanting a tree that failed in that spot.
Water and soil quality matter more than anything else for a new tree. Check with a local nursery about species and planting depth.
Send the form and a crew that works your part of town will call with a price. Free, and you can say no.
Questions
How long before I can plant?
Grass can go in right after the chips are cleared and the hole is filled. For a tree, plant as soon as the soil is prepared, usually within days.
Will the ground sink?
A little. Chips and roots keep decomposing, so top up the soil after the first season.