We have a very large pine tree that I am considering having cut down and leaving the stump. I know that the soil around a living pine tree is very acidic and makes it very difficult to grow anything around it - wondering if that is still the case once it is cut down? or how long would it take to be less acidic?
All generalizations are false. Unless the unimproved soil in your area is routinely acidic, what is more likely the soil where your pine was, has fairly low humus and comparatively low nitrogen. Burn--chip out the stump and manure the area well. Plant a cover crop and plan on planting flower or vegetables spring of '13.
You can also do a soil Ph test of this area. we have a tester that has probes you just push into the soil and it gives you a reading of the Ph.
I enjoy my stumps and the flora/fauna they attract. One is gone now from natural decay, but the other is still around after several years. I've used it for a bird/squirrel feeder, drilled it for mason bees and have gotten some terrific photos of bark/wood. Today some wood mushrooms were found growing around its base. I'd always had shade loving plants around the tree's base so some ferns took it unkindly that I removed the shade, but other perennials have enjoyed the change. The soil around the base of a tree would depend on the nature of the soil in your region, how much needles/leaves have been left to mulch the ground over the years and the amount of moisture in your locale and whether or not you watered under the large tree. I agree if you are concerned, soil testing would be the best way to find out what plants might do well. Never under estimate trial and error though. Micro climates and your gardening style will often determine how well plants survive and/or thrive. Happy gardening
That soil may be acidic...but--there are plants that LIKE "acidic". Plants like the edible blueberry bush, Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas, Kiwi fruit, some aquilegias, Arisaemas, Camellias to name a few. But you did not ask about this. I think that if you want to reverse the acidic state of your soil surrounding the tree stump, you may need to amend the soil some (if you want a quick reversal). I do not know how long the process will take naturally, but I suspect a long time.
I know this is an old topic, but I thought it was interesting. Pine trees are allelopathic. That is, they exude chemicals into the soil that are toxic to their competition.
Interesting. I had a big Austrian Pine taken down about one year ago. Underneath it, I grow Hosta, Heuchera, Ferns, Astilbe, Goatsbeard, Brunneras and Rhododendron. These plants did well under the tree, having chosen those that prefer acidic soil and shade. All of these plants have continued to grow and flourish. I did not have the big stump ground, as I knew it would do more damage than good and I do not plan to replant a tree in this space. The stump was cut flush and pretty even, so it makes a nice place to put three large planters.