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While you can leave roots in the ground, if you don’t want the shrub to regrow again over time, it’s best not to leave any roots behind. Ensure you remove as much of the shrub as possible, including the root ball and any main roots you can see, to prevent new growth. Some gardeners opt for using a chemical treatment to prevent the stump from growing back, but this can kill beneficial microorganisms living in your soil.

The best time to plant a tree is in the spring, so the roots have time to grow into the surrounding soil before winter sets in. Some people recommend planting in the late fall. However, planting in the spring reduces the stress on the tree, as it will be emerging from dormancy, giving it the full spring and summer ahead to acclimate and put down roots into the soil.

Yes, you can landscape in the rain, but you should take some precautions to keep yourself and your tools safe. Avoid using electric landscaping tools during rainfall, and don’t mow, thatch, aerate, or rake in the rain, as your tools can more easily tear out roots in the loose soil. Be careful when working on wet grass, and take your time to avoid slipping. Avoid putting in new plants before a particularly bad storm, as heavy rain and strong winds can damage or uproot plants that aren’t yet established.

It depends. Smaller, younger trees take longer to mature, but they're more resilient, their roots don't get as damaged during transplanting, and they recover faster. Plus, they're much more affordable to plant, and it's possible to DIY the planting. 

On the other hand, mature trees produce fruit faster and provide more shade and privacy immediately. Ideally, a small or medium tree is the better choice if you can wait a few years for it to mature. But if you need immediate maturity, a larger tree is the only option.