Dirt Under Pine Trees

Question

We had a blue spruce removed. It was a very old and diseased tree. Many plants we put there have died. A dogwood and crape myrtle both died.  A rose and ornamental grass lived, and the lilac bush is doing well. Any ideas on other plants that would grow good there? Did the pine cause the soil to be acidic?

Answer 1

I would have the soil tested. Pine trees can make the soil acidic, but more likely there is a disease (which killed the blue spruce) that is lingering in the soil that affects trees.