no signs of life since last spring = dead tree

tree with it's limbs cut off = worthless, topped tree that would need to be removed anyway

black knot fungus present = don't replace with another plant from the Prunus genus

How large is the tree? If it's small enough to remove completely (without grinding the stump) and I wanted to put a tree in that same spot, I'd try to remove the whole tree and not just grind down the stump. If the stump is too large and has to be ground down, you definitely should remove the sawdust/chips from the soil before planting a new tree (you don't have to get every last chip up, BTW). Don't try to replace the soil. Having different types of soil may cause drainage issues and encourage poor root system development of your new tree.

how about some exercise ????

i would suspect a few .. stubborn large roots ... and not much more ...

define a circle about 3 feet round.. with the trunk in the middle ... and just start digging towards the trunk ... it will not be easy.. just keep at it ... sharpening your shovel in advance.. might make the digging a bit easier ...

expose and cut the major roots with a tree saw out at the far edge of the hole ... just start cleaning out the hole .. and start wiggling the tree back and forth ... sooner or later it will start moving.. and as it moves.. it tells you where the next one is..

the only hard one.. might be the one that goes.. more or less straight down beneath the trunk ... just keep digging until you can expose it ...

by the time it is out.. you will have a new hole.. just about perfect for the new tree .. just reuse the native soil .... new post if you want planting instructions ...

it will be some good exercise.. if you can not handle it... find a grandson .. or a friends.. and flip him 20 bucks.. or a neighbor [dont flip beer ... lol ] .. etc ...

stay away from all plums as a replacement .... and be leery of anything in prunus as brandon notes ...

IMHO .... it is my opinion that stump grinding is overkill ... but then i have never seen a plum bigger than about a 6 inch trunk ...

i think black knot is wind borne.. therefore remnants in the soil is not an issue ... but i would defer on that ...

ken

If I loose some soil or need more soil to fill a hole after removing a stump or um, driving in the yard, I use the CHEAPEST top soil available at the hardware store. Theory is the cheapest one has the lowest amount of additives.

If a hoke must be filled back in and the property is suburban where you can not excavate elsewhere I believe this is the best option.

Any other suggestions?

Black Knot is an airborne disease and does not live in the soil. However, it can spread to your new tree by other Prunus Sp. in the area. Black knot is commonly spread when a landscaper prunes an uninfected tree after pruning an infected one without sterilizing the pruning tools. I would look for a tree you like that is not in the Prunus species. If you must have a Plum there are resistant varieties, but resistant does not mean immune.

Here is a link that might be useful: More about Black Knot

if you need more soil.. go dig a hole somewhere else.. and use the native soil for trees ...

then fill the other hole with soil brought in.. and plant annuals or perennials in the new soil ...

in other words.. steal it from a flower bed ... the flowers wont care about it .. or in the alternative.. you lose a few bucks in flowers.. rather than the money invested in the tree ...

ken

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'm actually going to have a tree company that gives free estimates come out and look at the situation and advise as well....

I do not have the tools to tackle this job myself (literally, I don't even own a shovel; although I suppose I will need to buy one, but I don't have anything tools to cut the roots with). I'm going to ask around work and my neighbors to see if anyone else has tools I can borrow, otherwise I'm not sure it's worth buying the tools when I can have someone else remove the tree for me.

But I very much appreciate the advice on the black knot and the soil issues....I was looking at the tree this AM and there are a few little white bumps on the trunk and limbs I don't remember being there before..knowing nothing about trees, I'd say it looks like some sort of fungus...there are also skinny red shoots coming out of some limbs....I don't know if that means it is trying to grow back or not....either way I think this tree is sickly and best put out of its misery :)

Thanks again!

If anyone cares to give more advice to a hapless newbie, I have another question over in the "new to gardening" forum that isn't getting any love....

how about linking it???

you should ask around at work for bhubbies, sons or grandsons willing to earn a bit of money .. it would be worht $50 to me ...

be very leery of snake oil tree guys.. for every good one .. there are two who need the boat payment ...

i still suggest you avoid grinding ... due to your small space ...

ken

Ken, ok here is the link for the other thread....I hope I did it right. I'm new around here, as well as to gardening :)

I contacted a tree company that got a very high rating in the local book that rates such things...I will still ask friends if they have anyone they know who could help, but the estimate is free, so I figure it won't hurt....

Why does the small space effect whether or not the stump should be ground? Does grinding damage a large portion of the ground or something?

Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: My post in the new gardeners forum needs some love :)