What to Plant After Tree Removal

Removed your tree? Now confused with a bald patch of dirt? Well, good news is you are off to a fresh start. But there is bad news as well. If you plant the wrong thing or skip the preparatory part, then you end up with a dead garden, patchy grass or even worse. 

No one wants that. So let’s fix it together. In this comprehensive guide, we will tell you what exactly you could plant in your gardens after removing a tree and how you can prepare your soil to make your plants survive in the long run. 

 What Happens to Soil After Tree Removal

Before we learn what plants you could plant in your dwellings, understand what happens to your soil after a tree removal. You are not just take away the shade but changing everything under the surface. 

• Compacted soil

Removal crews use heavy equipment that presses the soil down. This makes it harder for new roots to spread and reduce air pockets.

• Troublesome roots 

Your old tree left a tangled underground mess. Despite stump removal, the roots are still there, destabilizing the soil and attracting pests and fungus.

•  The soil might be too acidic

Some trees—especially pine and oak—leave acidic soil behind. This makes it harder for other vegetation like flowers, grass to take root.

• Wood chips steal nutrients

If you used stump grinding, you’ve probably got sawdust or chips all over. This is bad for your soil as they break down, they suck nitrogen and will make your new plants starve. 

How to Prepare the Area Before Planting

Don’t plant anything right away. Prepare the area first! 

1. Remove the stump + grind the roots

If the stump is still there, get rid of it. You can hire a pro or rent a stump grinder, but don’t skip this step, as it is harmful and looks ugly. 

•  Test your soil

You don’t need to be a scientist.

Just buy a $10 soil test kit at your garden center.

Look for:

• pH level (acidic vs. alkaline)
  
  
• Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels
  
  
• Drainage (does water pool or soak in?)
  
  

If the pH is too low (acidic), just add lime to balance it.

If low in nitrogen, you can add compost or aged manure.

• Aerate the soil

This is simple. Just get a shovel and break the top 6–8 inches of soil.

Then mix in:

• Compost
  
  
• Topsoil (if the area sank)
  
  
• Slow-release fertilizer 

4. Let the soil rest (optional but smart)

If you can wait 4–6 weeks, do it.

This gives time for:

• Soil to settle
  
  
• Microbes to break down sawdust
  
  
• Nutrients to rebalance
  
  

Best Ground Covers and Grasses to Plant After Tree Removal

Once soil is prepared, reclaim your space with ground covers and grasses. Why so? They grow fast, hold your soil, and make your yard look whole again.

Grass Options

If the area gets full sun, plant these:

• Fescue – cool-season, grows well even with some shade
  
  
• Kentucky Bluegrass – lush, soft, but you need to water them properly.
  
  
• Zoysia – warm-season, low-maintenance, great for southern zones.
  
  

If the area gets partial shade, go for:

• Fine fescue – drought-tolerant, handles low light
  
  
• Ryegrass – quick to establish, great for overseeding
  
  

Ground Covers

You can even try ground covers. They need low maintenance and look great year-round.

• Creeping thyme – smells amazing, handles foot traffic
  
  
• Ajuga (Bugleweed) – purple blooms, spreads fast
  
  
• Sedum – hardy, colorful, and drought-tolerant
  
  

Flower Options That Thrive After Tree Removal

Flowers are a great choice. They brighten up the spot, break compacted soil and attract pollinators.

Full Sun Flowers

If your area gets full sunlight, plant these wildflower-style blooms: 

• Black-eyed Susans – tough, golden blooms all summer
  
  
• Coneflowers (Echinacea) – drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly
  
  
• Coreopsis – bright yellow, easy to grow

 Partial Shade Flowers

If your area gets limited sunlight, go for:

• Hostas – leafy and lush, great for cooler climates
  
  
• Astilbe – fluffy plumes in pinks and reds
  
  
• Ferns – especially if the soil stays moist
  
  

Shade-loving plants can be great in northern or tree-dense neighborhoods. 

Shrubs to Plant in Old Tree Spots

Shrubs are like the unsung heroes of landscaping. They are perfect for covering bare spots after removing trees and are easy to maintain. 

Evergreen Shrubs

Want green all year round, even in winter? 

Try these:

• Boxwood – neat and compact, great for borders
  
  
• Yew – dense, dark green, tolerates shade
  
  
• Holly – glossy leaves, some varieties have berries

 Flowering Shrubs

Need more flair?

Go with:

• Hydrangea – massive blooms in pink, blue, or white
  
  
• Azaleas – gorgeous spring flowers, partial shade lovers
  
  
• Spirea – fluffy blooms and super tough
  
  

These shrubs are beginner-friendly and bounce back well even in disturbed soil. Just water them regularly in the first season and make sure they get sunlight Tree Removal. 

Can You Plant Another Tree in the Same Spot?

Short answer: It’s not ideal.

That old tree left more than a hole—it left a legacy.

• Old roots are still there means there is less room for new ones
  
  
• Soil nutrients may be depleted
  
  
• Pathogens or fungus from the old tree could infect the new one
  
  
• The soil structure might still be compacted
  
  

Sure, it’s possible. But it’s a lot of work.

What to do instead

You can move your new tree 3 to 5 feet away from the old spot, giving a fresh patch of soil to grow in.

Use:

• Fresh topsoil + compost mix
• Plant hole 2–3x wider than the root ball
• Mulch around the base.

Some great tree choices for replanting:

• Serviceberry – native, blooms early, great for birds
  
  
• Dogwood – ornamental with spring flowers
  
  
• Redbud – small, beautiful purple blooms
  
  
• Crabapple – tough and pollinator-friendly
  
  

Avoid replanting the same species, especially if your tree  removal died from pests or disease.

Plants That Help Restore Soil Health

Before you go full landscape mode, heal the soil first, as some plants don’t just grow, they fix problems underground.

Nitrogen-Fixers

These pull nitrogen from the air and add it back into the soil. For example, clover, lupines, or even beans or peas, which are ideal for gardens.Use them as a cover crop for a season, then plant other things next year.

Deep-rooted soil breakers

They help loosen compacted soil and bring nutrients up from underground. Examples include comfrey, dandelion, and chicory. Let these grow for a season, then till them into the soil for extra nutrients. It’s a natural way, requiring no chemicals.

Landscaping Ideas for Where a Tree Was Removed

That bare spot doesn’t have to stay boring. You can opt for some amazing ideas:

 1. Create a garden bed

Just add mulch or wood chips then line it with stones and bricks. Plant some flowers, herbs, or low shrubs and add solar lights for a perfect nighttime glow up.

2. Build a raised bed

If your soil is too rough or acidic, use fresh soil and compost. Then grow veggies, flowers or native plants. 

3. Install a small seating area

Make a reading nook by simply adding a bench or a bistro table. Surround it with low-growing flowers for a perfect look.

4. Add a water feature

Add a bird bath, small pond, or fountain and watch how your place becomes full of wildlife.

The Wrap Up

In a nutshell, before you plant anything, prepare the area first. Remove the stump, test the soil, and let it rest, then choose plants according to your surroundings. Want a professional arborist to transform your landscape? Contact our arborists at Tree Service Bronx to make your land full of life again. We provide reliable and efficient solutions to cater to your green needs.