So I thought my elm tree needed pruning and invited some estimates

[StClone]

26. Don't worry too much about old roots-here is what you do

If you are physically capable and have few tools (wheel burrow, tarp, spade, mattock/garden pick or Ax) you can pretty much resolve the"root of the problem." Or, you may hire it out.

Dig into the newly stump-free area about three foot wide hole and go two foot down. Extract only old roots you find within the space of that hole. Roots left farther out in the soil will decay and actually provide nutrients as they decay slowly (assisted by fungi, bacteria, etc.).

Two problems you may encounter in replanting after stump removal:

1). Often stump removal chews up the remnant tree stump and it is incorporated into the soil in which the new tree is to be planted. This saw dust may very rapidly decay and throw the soil PH, nutrients, but especially available nitrogen out of useful balance for a new tree. This can be resolved by removing a reasonable amount of this soil and replacing it (this is called amending) so to get a suitable growing medium.

2) Second problem is the soil is very disturbed and often needs to settle. You may have a problem if you were to plant a new tree without compacting or settling the soil. If unsettled and you plant, a sump area might develop and this may cause issues later in life of a tree as root system may too deep then in the ground. So compact the soil by some means as you layer the amended soil into place.

I will note than depth of planting is very important. Don't plant too deeply or too shallow and depending on species follow some of the on-line guides. My company had nearly a 98% survival rate after five years.