Question: I’d like to replace a poor quality tree that was in our landscape when we bought our house with a better shade tree, but I hate to give up the shade for those several years. Can I leave the old tree in place until my new tree takes hold? I could cut it down once the new tree is growing quickly.

Answer: Bad idea! Remove the old tree before you ever plant your new tree. Invariably, new trees grow contorted and misshapen when they’re planted near established trees. Plus, it’s difficult to fell an old tree when you have a new tree growing near it.