How to Dress up a Tree Stump

Question

We will be getting a tree cut down in a couple of months. The process already started and the poor thing is now denuded of all branches and foliage. The tree surgeons will be back in couple of months to finish the job. The reason: it overhung the neighbours place and as it was prone to dropping the odd stick, the council saw fit to request it's removal. Anyhoo...... does anyone have any ideas on how to dress up the stump as we won't be getting stump grinding done upon removal. We will have thrown enough money at it by then already! Here is what is left of our poor tree. Any suggestions for when this is going to be 'stumpy'?

Marlene Jansma · Answer

leave it about 5 ft tall and plant a pretty vine at the base to grow up it, (clematis) and get some pot hangers and hang pots with flowers staggered all around it

Kathleen M · Answer

Poor tree, poor you for having to bear the cost, hope the neighbors miss the cooling shade it offered up to them. 
How about finding some one gifted with chain saw carving? do a google search for 'stump carving' there are some beautiful examples ( not all bears lol ) I remember driving thru Biloxi and on the median strip some of the huge old Oaks that were destroyed by Katrina had been carved in the most lovely ways... or what @Marlene Jansma said makes sense too tho... I just almost always think of art first lol...

Julie J · Answer

@Carole here's what I did this year, and it's doing great!

Carole · Answer

I would love to do that but as it is a gum tree, if we leave more than a stump it is likely to try to grow back! The council wanted it removed close to the ground. A pity as I think this idea is a good one.

Chris aka monkey · Answer

geesh sounds like the council needs to get their head out of their rumps...i think i would put a tombstone sign say rip old friend lol council would probably choke xx

Nancy Dearinger · Answer

place an over-sized bird bath basin on it, with plantings around the basin.

Julie J · Answer

Coleus is in the middle with Kennilworth Ivy (be careful - it's a spreader), strawberries and some other groundcover that I can't remember. It's all doing great. I didn't round out the top, just added soil and some extra bark around the sides so it was deep enough.

Chris aka monkey · Answer

so true and enuff bad feelings are already out there sorry xx

Carole · Answer

As coincidence would have it - a friend just sent me this photo of the stump that was left when council removed a tree that overhangs their verandah. As this council land abuts bushland, my friend and her hubby get to use it as part of their back yard. Lucky them as the council paid for the trees removal - so no cost to them. Here is what my friend did to dress up their tree stump. I love it but I don't think our budget will run to orchids!

Kathleen M · Answer

Hi @Carole if the chess board is un~doable because of cost of pieces how about checkers? Heck you could paint rocks red and black or use plastic jar lids..... good luck with it what ever you decide to do:)

Frankie Laney · Answer

I would just get a nice plant, put in a pot and sit it on the tree stump

Laura · Answer

Cut it off at table hight. Add a table top and chairs. Drill a hole for an umbrella.

Joyce · Answer

you can leave it a little taller and have one of these guys with chain saw designs carve it into something nice for your garden, totum pole ,bear, or animals or just a design, or decorated fountain coming off of it....beautiful, will last a life time....there are companies that do these, I got one right down the road...

Carole · Answer

For the moment I have decided to put an oval metal drinks cooler/ice bucket on legs on the stump. This is planted up with yellow carnations which are flowering well. It does not fill the space, but it looks fine and better than nothing. The tree guys made a good job of the removal and told us it was probably the biggest eucalypt (gum tree) they had cut down so far this year. Given that we are now in October, that is really something! When the tree surgeon was up the tree - he looked very small from the ground and it gave a good indication of the trees size. I might change the look of it at a later date. The stumps has been levelled off nicely and given neat bevelled edges. Overall, quite happy with the result.

Bab · Answer

I think that's a great idea.

Plant Care · Answer

https://plantcaretoday.com/12-old-tree-stumps-transformed-into-beautiful-flower-planters.html

Kim Tanti · Answer

Do little platforms with fairy garden scenes on each platform.

Redtumley · Answer

You can add a tree face!

Here's a helplful guide to them, Tree Faces: The Easiest Way To Add Personality To Your Yard

How to Dress up a Tree Stump

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How to Dress up a Tree Stump

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