--- title: "Can You Plant a Tree After Stump Grinding? Where and When" description: "Can you plant a tree after stump grinding? Purdue Extension advises against planting directly over the stump. Here is what to do instead, with ISA basics." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/can-you-plant-a-tree-after-stump-grinding publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # Can you plant a tree after stump grinding? Same spot or a new spot Yes, but not directly over the old stump. Purdue Extension says it does not want new trees planted immediately over existing stumps, because the spot has limited soil depth, settles, and the ground wood ties up nitrogen. Plant a short distance away, or fill the hole and wait. Locate underground utilities first. GuideUpdated October 26, 20264 min read ## Not directly over the stump Purdue Extension does not want new trees planted immediately over the top of existing stumps. ## Limited soil depth The stump spot has limited soil and rooting depth because of the wood that remains below ground. ## Years to decay Purdue Extension says it can take several years to fully decompose the stump unless it was ground very deeply. ## Call 811 first ISA says anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center's website. ## Can you plant a tree after stump grinding? Yes, but not directly over the old stump. Purdue Extension says: “We generally don’t want to plant new trees or turf immediately over the top of existing stumps in landscapes.” Choose a spot a short distance away, or fill the hole and let it settle first. This is a general rule in a Purdue Q&A that began as a question about grass. The same reasoning covers trees, and the answer names trees first. You can read the full text on the Purdue page linked in the sources. ## Why not plant a tree right over the stump? Three reasons, all from Purdue Extension. 1. Limited soil. “The stump location will have limited soil and rooting depth for nutrient uptake and structural stability due to its remaining below ground mass.” A young tree needs room to root and to anchor itself. 2. Low nitrogen. “The woody debris material created from stump grinding has a high carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio. This reduces nitrogen availability for the new tree or grass.” See [carbon to nitrogen ratio](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/carbon-to-nitrogen-ratio). 3. Settling. “there will be significant settling of the ground below the stump as it decays and loses its structural fiber.” A tree planted into ground that drops may end up too deep. Problem What it does to a new tree Plain fix Limited rooting depth Less room for roots and support Plant farther from the old stump High C:N ratio Less nitrogen for the tree Remove chips; use fresh topsoil Settling Tree sits lower as the ground drops Fill, wait, or choose a nearby spot ## How long should I wait to plant in the same spot? The sources give no exact date. Purdue Extension says “It can take several years to fully decompose the stump unless it was ground very deeply or removed with an excavation machine.” Depth matters. A stump ground deeper leaves less wood below ground. See [how deep stump grinding goes](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-deep-does-stump-grinding-go). If you cannot wait, plant nearby. A shift of a few feet puts the root ball in undisturbed soil. Also remove the chips from the hole first. Illinois Extension recommends hauling off the chipped debris and filling with quality [topsoil](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/topsoil). If you want the chips taken away and fresh topsoil put in, Cincinnati Stump Grinding says: “And if you’d like those wood chips hauled away and replaced with fresh topsoil, we offer those services too.” Ask about it when you request your free estimate. ## How do I plant the tree once I choose the spot? Follow the ISA planting steps. Here are the points most affected by a nearby stump hole. - Dig a shallow, broad hole. The ISA says the majority of a tree’s roots develop in the upper 12 inches of soil, and “Planting too deep can be harmful to the tree.” - Expose the [root flare](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/root-flare). The ISA says “Expose the trunk flare if necessary.” - Fill gently but firmly. The ISA says to “Fill the hole firmly to eliminate air pockets.” - Mulch the base. The ISA suggests mulch around the tree but not piled against the trunk. For stump chips as mulch, read [can I use stump grindings as mulch](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/can-i-use-stump-grindings-as-mulch). ## Do I need to call 811 before I dig? Check before you dig. The ISA says: “811 is the US national call-before-you-dig phone number. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website.” It also says “Never assume that utilities are buried deeper than you plan to dig.” Public utility marks cover public lines. Private lines such as a sprinkler, an invisible fence, a lamp post or a gas line to a grill are the owner’s to mark. Read [before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) for what OHIO811 and Kentucky 811 say. See also [OHIO811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/ohio811) and [Kentucky 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/kentucky-811). ## What about a tree in the tree lawn? Check city rules before you plant. A tree in the [tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) between sidewalk and street often sits in the public right of way. Some cities want a permit or limit what you can plant. Your city or county page, or the guide on [who owns the stump on the tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn), is the place to start. ## What should I do about leftover roots? Think about where the new roots will grow. Remaining wood from the old tree can sit under the soil and rot for years. If it sits where the new root ball goes, move the planting spot. For more on roots, read [should you remove roots after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/should-you-remove-roots-after-stump-grinding) and [what to do after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/after-stump-grinding). ## Next step If you need the stump ground before you replant, see the [stump grinding service](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/services/stump-grinding). Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### How soon can you plant a tree after stump grinding? Purdue Extension gives no date. It says to avoid planting a new tree immediately over the stump and that decay can take several years. Plant a short distance from the old spot, or fill and settle the hole before you plant in it. ### Can I plant a new tree in the same spot as the stump? Purdue Extension says it generally does not want new trees planted immediately over existing stumps. The spot has limited soil depth, the ground settles as wood decays, and the ground wood has a high carbon to nitrogen ratio. A nearby spot avoids these issues. ### How deep should I plant the new tree? Not deeper than the root ball. The ISA says to dig a shallow, broad hole and warns that planting too deep can be harmful. It adds that the majority of a tree's roots develop in the upper 12 inches of soil. ### Do I need to call 811 before planting? The ISA says anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center's website. This page does not say any law requires the call for grinding. Utility marks cover public lines. Private lines are yours to mark. ### Should I remove the roots before planting? Not always. The question is whether remaining wood sits where the new roots will go. Purdue Extension notes the stump spot has limited rooting depth because of wood below ground, so a nearby planting spot avoids the issue. See the guide on whether to remove roots after stump grinding. ## Terms on this page - [Excavation (Ohio law)](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/excavation-ohio-law) - [Stump grindings](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grindings) - [Kentucky 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/kentucky-811) - [Root flare](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/root-flare) - [Wood chips](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/wood-chips) - [Tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) - [OHIO811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/ohio811) - [Topsoil](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/topsoil) - [Mulch](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/mulch) ## Sources 1. [Purdue Extension: Question: Can I Plant Grass Over Newly Removed Stump](https://extension.purdue.edu/news/2021/06/Question-Can-I-Plant-Grass-Over-Newly-Removed-Stump.html) 2. [ISA Trees Are Good: Planting a Tree](https://www.treesaregood.org/Tree-Owner-Resources/Planting-a-Tree) Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [What to do after stump grinding: chips, topsoil, grass and new treesAfter stump grinding, a pile of wood chips stays in the hole. Extension sources advise hauling the chips away, filling the hole with quality topsoil, and adding a little extra soil because the ground settles as buried wood rots. Wait to plant a tree directly over the old stump.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/after-stump-grinding) - [Before you grind: 811, the tree lawn and street tree permitsThe Ohio and Kentucky statutes tell an excavator to notify 811 before excavation. The Ohio definition of excavation does not name stump grinding, so ask OHIO811 or Kentucky 811 if you are unsure. The call is free. A stump on the tree lawn follows city rules, and those rules differ by town.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) - [Should you remove the roots after stump grinding?Usually no. Iowa State Extension says a grinder removes the stump and large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches, and the rest decays over time. Remove roots only if they block a pipe, patio, footing or new planting. Digging is labor-intensive and needs utility marks first.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/should-you-remove-roots-after-stump-grinding) - [How deep does stump grinding go, and how deep should you ask for?Iowa State Extension says grinders typically take the stump and large lateral roots down 8 to 12 inches. The University of Illinois Extension says depth runs from flush with the soil line to over a foot deep. Deeper grinding often costs more, so choose the depth that fits your plan for the spot.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-deep-does-stump-grinding-go) - [Who owns the stump on the tree lawn, and who grinds it?It depends on the town. Cincinnati takes a 311 request for stumps of city-maintained trees. Wyoming says the city grinds them. Milford and Hamilton name the property owner. Covington and Fort Thomas require city permission to remove a street tree. Read your city page before you hire anyone.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn) - [Do tree roots die after stump grinding?Grinding removes the stump and large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches, per Iowa State Extension. The roots left behind break down over several years, per Purdue Extension. No extension page we found says all roots die, and some trees send up sprouts from roots that stay alive.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-roots-die-after-stump-grinding)