You can, but we wouldn’t recommend it! If a previous tree was removed because of a pest or disease, it may spread to a new tree planted in the same spot. The roots from the removed tree can make it hard for a new tree to grow, as space, oxygen, and water are limited. There tends to be more nitrogen in the soil around the roots of a removed tree, which can harm a new tree planted in the same spot. The area close to where a tree used to be will probably have fewer nutrients available in the soil, as the tree would have used those nutrients to grow. If you had your stump ground, many of the roots will still be intact and the woodchips and sawdust can add additional nitrogen to the soil, making it difficult for a new tree to grow.