I live in Troy and we have a garden bed that had four large pine trees that died and were removed last year. Underneath was all creeping myrtle which we have spent a lot of time removing by hand the last few weeks. (Photo attached below).
I’m hoping to plant a native pollinator garden along with a new tree, but I’m not sure what to consider when planting a tree given the soil condition from the previous pine trees and whether we need to consider the old roots that are still underground or if those will decompose to leave space for a new tree. I’m also not sure what kind of tree would be best in those conditions that is preferably native or pollinator-friendly (and deer resistant, our neighborhood has quite a herd!).
Thanks so much for any information you can provide!