Don't get stumped by those old tree stumps
Just left as-is, tree stumps may not fit your garden aesthetic. But because of their deep root systems, removing tree stumps may not be affordable or practical.
There are a few options for tree stump removal that may work for you, including DIY chainsaw tree stump removal or professional tree stump grinding, which costs around $320.
However, if you don’t want to worry about the hassle or cost, we've found some of the best examples of people making the most of their tree stumps to give you a little garden inspiration. Get creative and make that pesky tree stump an integral part of your outdoor space.
Lupe Haynes used a mixture of creeping moss, flowers, and succulents to decorate this old, rotting tree stump in her yard. The jagged nature and small diameter of this stump made using it a challenge, but she did a fantastic job in creating this beautiful fairy garden oasis. It's guaranteed to delight youngsters and bring a smile to anyone’s face who encounters it because it's so creatively unexpected.
If you've got a bit of artistic flair and the right tools, why not turn your hand to wood carving? The creators at M plus F Creations did exactly that, carving away at a large tree stump (which took four hours!) and turning it into a rocking guitar. While the creators of this piece focused on their love of music, there's no limit to what you can create if you can carve.
Another fantastic example of a wood carving, this red kite from Alan Wear does require a higher degree of skill and more time than the guitar above. This finish on this piece is awesome, with clever use of staining to bring realistic color and depth to the bird.
If you're not an expert but really love this way of repurposing a tree stump, it's a good idea to hire a pro, discuss your design goals, and then let them work their magic.
As you can see from the image, there's absolutely no need to get fancy to repurpose a tree stump. You can do something as simple as using it as a plant stand. If you do want to dress it up a little, add some creeping flowering vines or trailing plants like lobelia or sweet alyssum around the base of the stump, making it more of a focal point.
If you have a tree stump that's rotting from the center, you can hollow it out pretty easily with the right tools and a bit of elbow grease. Then, fill it with high-quality potting compost and your choice of flowering plants—and voila! You've elevated your tree stump to a charmingly rustic raised flower bed with a riot of colorful blooms.
If you're the sentimental type, then adding a commemorative carving to a tree stump is a beautiful way to celebrate and remember a specific event, like getting married, the birth of your babies, or the purchase of your home. You could also seal the stump to keep it in good condition for years to come.
There's just something ethereal and fantastical about a tree stump throne. You can imagine all sorts of mythical creatures taking their rest or holding court in this wonderfully rustic throne-like seat. It's a really simple yet highly effective idea that makes a decorative statement (that’s also functional!). Sealing the interior of the seat also helps preserve it for decades.
Unexpected and unique, this tree stump holds an acrylic or glass sphere that reflects the sky. This is another excellent example of how effective a simple design can be. It draws the eye and has a rather mysterious aesthetic. If you want to add color, it's easy enough to plant low-growing flowers like pansies or trailing plants that bloom in the spring and summer.
This tree stump seat requires a lot of time, patience, and creativity—but the results are stunning. Leveled, sanded, and sealed, the top of the tree stump has a mosaic design applied tile by tile to look like the growth rings inside a tree. And, if you look to the left, you can see the design has been carried down onto the paving slabs, depicting the tree's root.
Chess experts and other tabletop champions will love this creative way to turn a stubborn stump into an interactive gaming central. Much like making the previous mosaic tree stump seat, you can level, sand, paint, and then seal the top of your tree stump with a custom table game design like chess, checkers, tic-tac-toe, and more.
Get the kids involved by painting custom game pieces out of rocks for a natural vibe that will have you playing games for years to come.
Straight out of a fairytale, converting your tree stump into a table has a way of adding charm to any yard. After leveling the stump, you can add glass, wood, concrete, or metal to the top of the tree stump to easily transform it into a table.
While you’re at it, consider building a patio and some tree stump stools or chairs to match your new feature piece.
You’ve heard of birdhouses hanging from trees, but have you heard of birdhouses made of trees? Turning your tree stump into a birdhouse is a creative way to attract birds to your yard while hiding a painful eyesore like an old tree stump. This tree stump idea looks especially impressive when the birdhouse is placed on a tall tree stump—out of reach of pesky deer and other critters.
You can also use an in-ground tree stump as the top of a slide. To do this, install rock wall climbing pegs up the side of the stump that is opposite where you plan on installing the slide. Then, secure the slide to the top of the stump with screws, and voila—you have the coolest slide in the whole neighborhood.
Speaking of stepping stones, if you have multiple stumps close together, use this to your advantage by turning them into stepping stumps. Even if you only have one stump, you can also level it down and add stumps to your garden to make a charming pathway through your yard.
Avid bird watchers unite! Birds will flock to your old tree stump if you convert it to a bird bath, but it will take a bit more work than some other ideas on this list. First, you’ll want to cut the stump down to size using proper safety gear and a chainsaw (don’t attempt this if you’re uncomfortable using this heavy equipment). Then, level the base of the stump, secure the platform material of your choosing using silicone, place a basin in the center, secure it with more silicone, then seal the basin. Once it’s completely dry, add water.
To utilize more stylistic elements in your brand-new bird bath, consider placing river stones in the center of the bird bath. This step will also help birds feel like they’re at the spa as they splash away.
With a few supplies, your tree stump is the perfect base for making a large toadstool fit for garden gnomes. As with many of these other projects, all you need to do is level the tree stump and secure the top of the mushroom piece to the stump using silicone. Simply paint your toadstool red, add white spots, and your new garden accessory is good to go.
Add outdoor lighting to your yard with the subtle ambiance of a solar tree stump lamp. Not only does this lamp generate its own energy from the sun, but you also have a charming light come evening that brings character to what would otherwise be an ordinary tree stump.
You can either choose to attach a solar light to the top of the tree stump for an easy DIY project, or hollow out the stump and place the light inside so it shines through. No matter what you’ll have a stunning yard feature.
