Question
QUESTION: I'm having some pines cut down due to disease.  The stumps will be ground.I've been told I cannot replant in the same spots. I will be replacing with a Serbian Spruce.  I have limited space on the berm so I was hoping to use the same holes.  Why would a professional tell me this?
ANSWER: Hey, Shirley.

It would depend on the type of pine and the specific disease. Some diseases live in the ground or roots and affect other species, especially if a young tree is planted directly in the same hole as the diseased tree that was removed.

Any idea what type of pines are being cut down and what the disease is? Knowing where you are located will also help me provide a better answer for you. I look forward to your answer.

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QUESTION: I'm removing Austrian Pines that have been affected by the Zimmerman Moth and Diplodia.

Answer
Diplodia blight is caused by a fungus, and the Austrian pine is an exotic species that is particularly susceptible to diplodia blight, especially if the site was poor or the trees were injured (such as children climbing in them) or otherwise subjected to abnormal stress, such as drought.

With diplodia, and any fungus, yes, if possible you should avoid planting new plants in the same holes. However, if you can dig the holes large enough and fill them with new soil, and then keep the spruces from experiencing excessive stress, you could use the old holes. However, if I were planting, I probably wouldn't take the chance. New seedlings will be more susceptible than an established plant, so I'd buy the largest trees I could afford.