At times, it becomes essential to remove a tree. This might be due to an infestation of pests, significant damage to the tree, or just a desire to grow a different type of tree. Regardless of the reason for its removal, it’s highly recommended to replant soon afterward.
You should replant after tree removal in order to help reduce the rate of global warming. And since trees help to support the local ecosystem, replanting will also ensure that the local wildlife will eventually be supported. Add to this the fact that replanting can also help to restore the aesthetic appeal of your property, and it is easy to see why every homeowner is always advised to do so.
Here is what you should know about why you should replant after tree removal.
It is important to replant after tree removal because of the following reasons.
To reduce the rate of global warming
Trees play an important role in slowing down global warming1. This is because they are great at removing Carbon dioxide from the air.
Every tree plays a role in helping to stem the damaging effects of global warming. And so if you remove one tree, you are effectively accelerating the rate at which global warming takes place.
Therefore, to ensure that you play your role in at least not contributing to accelerating the rate at which it happens, it is important to ensure that you replant after removing a tree.
To support the local ecosystem
Trees are critical to the well-being of wildlife. They provide shade, food, and shelter for wildlife. This includes birds, native animals, insects, and other organisms that make up the local ecosystem.
Therefore, if you take away such a critical resource from the ecosystem, it is only right to ensure that you at least provide a replacement. Doing so minimizes the negative effects that tree removal usually has on the plants, animals, and other organisms in your area.
To boost your property’s aesthetic appeal
When trees become large and old, they can sometimes lose their aesthetic appeal. This is so especially in cases where they haven’t been properly taken care of. In such cases, tree removal is sometimes necessary in order to improve the home’s beauty.
After tree removal, the space that is left by the old tree will be an eyesore. Planting new trees and vegetation in the area will help to make it less unappealing.
To increase your property’s value
Some trees are more valuable than others. Therefore, if you have trees that have low value taking up space on your property, simply removing them is not enough.
You need to replace them with trees that can command a higher price. And even if you don’t intend to sell the trees, them existing in your property will increase your property’s value.
To improve air quality in your home
Trees do more than just take carbon dioxide from the environment. They produce oxygen, and when they release it, they help to improve the overall quality of air in their surroundings.
When you remove a tree, you indirectly affect the natural air purification in your home. The only way to restore its effectiveness is to replace the removed tree. This is something that replanting allows you to do.
Where is the best place to plant a new tree?
Trees need space, sunlight, moisture, and nutrients in order to thrive. Therefore, a good place to plant a tree should be a place that ensures that the tree can have easy access to these resources.
The following tips will come in handy in helping you choose the best place to plant a new tree on your property.
Examine the shading pattern in your property
Trees require sunlight in order to produce food. However, some need more hours of sunlight than others. How much shade a given section of your property is under, is something that will determine whether a given tree will thrive.
And so if you are planning on planting a tree that needs a minimum of at least 6 hours of sunlight, selecting an area that receives as little shade as possible is ideal. This typically means an area that is away from other trees and structures that may deny it easy access to sunlight.
Conduct a soil test
The best place to plant a tree is a place that has a soil chemistry that is conducive to planting the given tree.
Some trees love acidic soils, while others don’t. Some thrive in the presence of certain minerals, while others don’t.
As a result, conducting a soil test will help you to determine not only which tree to plant on your property, but also what you need to do in order to make the area more conducive for its growth. It can also help you to narrow down which section of your property is ideal for tree growth.
Consider the proximity to your house
Trees with aggressive root systems can damage foundations. These trees need to be planted a reasonable distance away from a home’s foundation.
Failure to do so may mean having to regularly cut the tree’s roots and install root barriers. This may interfere with the tree’s growth potential.
The proximity of the planting space also matters because tree canopies can sometimes destroy roof shingles. Overhanging branches can also break and not only cause property damage but also injure loved ones.
Therefore, if the tree that you are planting has a wide canopy, the best place to plant it is a safe distance away from your house. The same also applies in cases where it is likely to be too tall or to develop large branches.
Keep in mind the location of utilities
The best place to plant trees is as far away from utilities as possible. This is because tree roots can damage utilities, and this can cause unnecessary damage. It may also necessitate tree removal down the line, which is something that you want to avoid.
It is also advisable to plant tall trees away from powerlines. Doing so will reduce the need for regular pruning — which may sometimes be detrimental to the tree’s development.
Consider the location of future outdoor equipment or structures
When considering where to plant a tree, it is always advisable to choose a place that will help you to get the most value out of the tree. For example, if you plan on having a deck, building a playground, or setting up a grill area, planting a tree in such a way that it offers shading or privacy, is prudent.
How soon can you plant a tree after cutting one down?
If you want to plant a tree in the same spot as the one that you have cut down, then it is advisable that you wait at least a year before doing so. This is so as to give the soil in the area a chance to recover its fertility. Waiting also allows the organisms in the area to break down the roots of the removed tree.
Can you replant a tree that is uprooted?
Yes, you can replant a tree that is uprooted.
However, whether or not the replanting will be successful will depend mainly on the tree species, the root damage that the tree suffered, the length of the period that its roots remained exposed, and the post-transplant care that you give the tree. The similarities in environments from and to where it is being transplanted will also play a role in determining transplanting success.
How to have a successful tree replanting?
Replanting a tree is a delicate affair. It is generally stressful for the tree, so the chances of the tree dying or having poor health are high.
However, there are things that you can do to improve your odds of success. Here are tips on how to plant a tree that will come in handy in helping to ensure that you have a successful tree replanting.
Hydrating
The transplanting process is brutal on a tree’s root system. A significant portion of it ends up getting damaged or injured.
As a result, the tree is bound to have a compromised moisture absorption system. Therefore, ensuring it is appropriately watered before and after transplanting will help improve your odds of success.
Timing
Generally, it is advisable to transplant a tree at a point where it is dormant. This ensures that it has seasons of growth and development activity ahead of it right after transplanting.
As a result, you should ensure that you time your transplanting activity appropriately. This will depend on the tree species you intend to transplant.
Tying and wrapping
Tying up a tree’s crown will help reduce the damage its crown will suffer when moving it from one place to the next. Wrapping its roots will protect them from physical damage. It will also keep them from drying out.
Therefore, tying and wrapping the tree will go a long way towards reducing the stress that the tree has to overcome once it has been transplanted.
Fertilization
Given the damage to the root system and the amount of healing that the tree has to do in order to survive, it is always a good idea to ensure that it has all the nutrients that it needs once it has been transplanted. Fertilizing it is thus advisable.
How can planting trees reduce global warming and help future generations?
Carbon dioxide usually accelerates global warming. This is because it absorbs heat. As a result, instead of the heat being released into the atmosphere, it becomes trapped around the surface. This in turn causes an increase in temperature.
Trees removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also help to store carbon. Therefore, they play a role in reducing the rate at which global warming happens.
This will help future generations by reducing incidences of severe weather. It will ensure less acidic seas and oceans, something that will go a long way toward preserving marine life for future generations.
DIY vs Hiring an Expert
As a homeowner, you have two options as far as replanting a tree is concerned.
You can choose to do it on your own, or you can hire an arborist. Both of these options have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is what you should know.
Do it Yourself
Pros
- It is affordable
- It saves time in that you don’t have to worry about searching for and vetting arborists near you
- It can be an exciting learning opportunity
- You get a sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a tree you planted thrive
Cons
- It features a higher chance of failure or poor tree health
- Lack of useful advice and guidance from a tree expert
Hiring an expert
Pros
- Higher chance of successful replanting and better tree health
- It doesn’t require your effort or time. This is ideal for homeowners who are busy
- You get the benefit of having expert advice and guidance as far as tree selection and tree care is concerned
Cons
- It is more expensive
- It requires time and effort to find a good arborist near you
FAQ's
It costs between $150 and $700 to remove a small to medium tree. Large trees can cost up to $2000 to remove. However, the actual cost of removal will depend on the location of the tree, how easy it is to access it, its canopy size, any special permits required for its removal, and the species of the tree.
As for the average cost of transplanting a tree, it usually ranges between $622 and $752.
No, we cannot live without trees. This is because they produce the oxygen that we need to survive. Their role in climate control also helps to ensure that we can grow the food that we need for sustenance.
Trees help us by:
- Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air and thus reducing the rate of global warming
- Supporting the natural ecosystem by providing food and shelter to different organisms
- Providing shade
- Supplying raw materials for building and manufacturing processes
- Purifying the air
- Providing privacy in homes
- Improving the beauty of our surroundings
- The Arbor Day Foundation, (2024) How Trees Fight Climate Change. <https://www.arborday.org/fighting-climate-change> Accessed: 01-03-2024.
