This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Planting into a hollow stump
Three years ago I had to have my lovely mature laburnum cut down because the heartwood was decayed. The tree man said if it wasn't cut down it was likely to fall down before long. The stump is still in the ground, with a deep hollow at the centre. I'm thinking of filling it with soil and planting something in it, maybe another laburnum. Is that a daft idea? Would whatever was killing the old one kill the new one?
0
Posts
Did the old tree die a natural death ? i.e.:- old age , or was a fungal attack responsible ? It is normal for the heartwood of many a tree species to decay ; maybe a new one would find difficulty gaining a 'foothold' . Being rich in organic matter , why not try a different approach ? Have you considered ferns ?
Polystichum aculeatum (Hard Shield fern) is a semi-evergreen species attaining substantial proportions over time . If you want a smaller species , the very attractive Asplenium trichomanes would be a good choice .
Perhaps you're not interested in ferns , but if mine I would consider the option .
PS
"did the old tree die a natural death" ? ......Duh ; misread your thread ;obviously your tree was still alive when you regrettably had to have it felled ; my apologies for the error .
It was very much alive and looked healthy, but was infested with woodworm which had spread to the roof timbers of the neighbour's garage just behind it, so it had to go. It would look good full of ferns. It's not far from a beech tree, and I'm thinking of a woodland glade sort of planting for that area so it would fit in.
Sounds like you had major problems with that one ; a woodland glade would look good .
I'd agree with Paul - some ferns or similar would be ideal. I had a tree which had to be taken out, and I had no chance of getting the stump out without help. As it's where I wanted my little pond and a new lawn etc, I left it and rejigged the design to incorporate it.
I live in there now.....
The wider view
The stump is gradually rotting down and feeding the soil.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Here it is, with ivy and a dahlia. But I think I'll swap the dahlia for a fern.