
by Shannon Lawson Solis
(IC: )
Asked on Sep 06, 2016
Ideas for this 3 ft stump in my front yard



+97
Answered
My tree was knocked over by a storm and this is what we are left. I have no way of cutting it down any further and to me it's just an eyesore. My uncle set a couple of owls on top of it, just because. I'm sure there are some DIYers on here that could get me some suggestions and ideas of what to do. I've added a couple of pictures for you to see what I'm talking about. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I need to weed eat around it but you get the idea of what I'm talking about

Another view.

The concrete item you see leaning against it is a huge Texas with my address on it. It can be moved.
79 answers
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Janet Pizaro on Sep 06, 2016
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Teri Wilson on Sep 06, 2016
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Kayo Frazier on Sep 06, 2016
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Suz8365073 on Sep 06, 2016
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Lynne Forrestal on Sep 06, 2016
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Cindy Hagemann on Sep 06, 2016
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Carey on Sep 06, 2016
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Tim on Sep 06, 2016
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Jackie Byrd on Sep 07, 2016
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Sue Kiene on Sep 07, 2016
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Bonnieroot on Sep 07, 2016
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Jennifer on Sep 07, 2016
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JOHN on Sep 07, 2016
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Diane on Sep 07, 2016
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Sandra mg Donald on Sep 07, 2016
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EL Hoard on Sep 07, 2016
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Sherry H. on Sep 07, 2016
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Sherry H. on Sep 07, 2016
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Lori on Sep 07, 2016
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Sherry H. on Sep 07, 2016
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Cathy on Sep 07, 2016
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Sherry H. on Sep 07, 2016
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Robyn Osiecki on Sep 07, 2016
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Ann on Sep 07, 2016
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Lisa Terry Hann on Sep 07, 2016
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Cas6519225 on Sep 07, 2016
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Judy Morris on Sep 07, 2016
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Nancy Doucet on Sep 07, 2016
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Maren Macmillan on Sep 07, 2016
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Ela6604453 on Sep 07, 2016
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Rita Marie on Sep 07, 2016
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Susie Rufener on Sep 07, 2016
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Pka10042364 on Sep 07, 2016
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Lyn2398900 on Sep 07, 2016
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861650 on Sep 07, 2016
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Sheileagh Leens on Sep 08, 2016
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Shannon Lawson Solis on Sep 08, 2016
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UpState on Sep 08, 2016
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Patty on Sep 08, 2016
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Traci Fearing on Apr 19, 2018
I am sure someone has told you this but... there are people out there who wil take care of the stump find them on line or phone book. Yes it will cost some money but it will be gone. Spending money to decorate it is stupid.Helpful Reply -
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Linday on May 02, 2018
I purposely ask to leave a taller stump from a tree we had to take down because I wanted a Gnome house. I decorated it with windows and doors. Put up a twig and string ladder, a blue stone pool, and 3 gnomes. Flowers and little rustic tools also add to my Gnome estate. I love it.Helpful Reply -
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And11720182 on May 02, 2018
Make a bird feeder out of it.Helpful Reply -
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Ashleigh on May 02, 2018
Add a bird bath to the top! Or as many have said plant annuals on Top! This site give a simple take on going about that and at the end has “stump removal“ if you fear termites. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-create-tree-stump-planterkeep ya updated and good luck!Helpful Reply -
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Beth Gold Roccia on May 02, 2018
That would make a great fairy garden!Helpful Reply -
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27524803 on May 02, 2018
See if you can level off the top... then use a large ceramic or concrete planting bowel.... and plant things that would drip over the edge... put something tall in the center.....Helpful Reply -
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Debbie/Dragonfly Treasure on May 02, 2018
YES, perfect for a Fairy Garden!Helpful Reply -
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Alice Samaan on May 02, 2018
Drill holes in the stump. It will decompose on it own!! The more holes the better.Helpful Reply -
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Barbara-Denison Joy on May 02, 2018
A drill is all you need Any pawn shop usually has a few . Buy a drill bit the same size as a Shepard hook or seasonal flag ! A drill will also help you make a planting dip in the top and even angled holes in the sides . Petunias would be fantastic . Or strawberrys !Helpful Reply -
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Felecia R. Laury on May 03, 2018
I called the tree surgeons to grind the stump out.Helpful Reply -
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Elizabeth on May 03, 2018
You have a beautiful little garden around the stump, so a simple beautifying solution might be the basin of a bird bath that you fill with water or birdseed or trailing flowers. Actually ANY interesting, shallow basin would do the trick (an old porcelain one, etc)Another simple way to remove a tree stump is to line it with charcoal, let it burn and slowly, the stump disintegrates. Takes time but we've done this numerous times and always have marshmallows then too !Helpful Reply -
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Lisa S. on May 03, 2018
A birdbath top on top.Helpful Reply -
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F.h13582673 on May 04, 2018
I love the fairy garden idea because I have a large fairy garden of my own. But forthe top of the stump I would drill it out, I have done the same in my front yard. If I was home I would add a picture, but stumps have nutrients and you wouldntbelieve the tomatoes I get each year! So if I were you cut or drill a hole find a tomatoe plant you love and enjoy some tomatoes! 😃Helpful Reply -
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Susan K Mullins on May 04, 2018
Drill a hole and add a birdhouseHelpful Reply -
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Peter on May 05, 2018
Plenty of ideas that go 'round and 'round.... I'll add my first impression: create a spiral 'staircase' and develop a planter from that.BTW: Nothing wrong with leaving it as is... over time it will be easier to remove (excepting stump grinding) by just letting it stay long and decaying in place. I'd cut the roots as close to the trunk as possible so it will start to rot... chemicals can be added to speed that along... but do NOT shorten it, the length is a great lever to pull it over once it's weak enough. It may take quite some time, but there's little muscle needed to finish the removal. Meanwhile, decorate!Helpful Reply -
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Jeanette S on May 05, 2018
I had 6 large trees cut down from the storm damage and some were too close to the house.I did not have the stumps ground because I did not want sawdust around to be tracked in all summer so we are in the process of covering my stumps to decay over time.Covered with dirt, then black landscape cloth so they will stay wet, then black mulch. I am in the process of decorating the stumps with rocks, pots, junk! A fun project.This is going slow between chilly weather, rain and old aching bones only able to work a little at a time. All of this is happening while I am in the process of planting over 100 Caladium bulbs!Helpful Reply -
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Andrea on May 05, 2018
This is what I did with mine. its better looking than a dead stump!Helpful Reply -
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Smittie22 on May 05, 2018
Why can't you just dig it up?Helpful Reply -
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Tra1868165 on May 05, 2018
Hi, I have checked around and have heard lots of ideas. If finances are an issue (to hire someone) then the two that I like are Epsom salts mixed strong with water pour over roots repeatedly, or find copper screws and drill them throughout the stump...these are said to kill trees... I hope this helps...Helpful Reply -
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Marci J on May 06, 2018
We burned ours out one night. Put grill liter on it & sat around lawn chairs. You will loose the plants around it. But digging a soil ring around the stump for safety reasons & water hose available by stump. My husband sat up & watched it burn up until it was even with the ground. Put fresh soil around & plant grass. More plants If your incline.Helpful Reply -
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Linda Barrett Dirksen on May 07, 2018
Drill holes into it and pour stump remover into the holes, found at hardware or garden centers, I've read Epsom salt works too. It will take several months, but much cheaper than a stump grinder. I had 5 big stumps ground down yesterday, $900. Not a cheap way to go!Helpful Reply -
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Sandy Murray on May 07, 2018
My dear, you have the perfect opportunity for a stumpery. Add some of your logs from the fallen tree. Plants, rocks pots of plants. You can turn it into a delight. A stumpery is usually in the shade as those in England. But for mine I needed lots of sun for herbs and flowers....I share mine with the chickens and a pet pot belly.. .so sometimes I loose a bit! Dash I can't add a photo of mine.... Its gets better looking all the time! I have used painted cans from baked beans, jam etc all painted in cheerful colours! Have fun with it. Too much hard work to take stump out!Helpful Reply -
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Eloise on May 07, 2018
Some ideas on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+to+do+with+a+tree+stumpHelpful Reply -
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☘️ TxBella on May 07, 2018
Do a mosaic!Helpful Reply -
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Bnortheast on May 07, 2018
I also have a huge stump and we roughed up the top and sides and put wild flower seeds all over the stump to create a wild flower garden.or plant a vine that will flow down over the sides, Grape vines grow rapidly and they feed your family and the birds and are very pretty.Helpful Reply -
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Leslie Allison on May 07, 2018
I put an old tractor seat on one of mine.There is a product called stump removal, ask at the local garden shop. You drill a hole down the top of the stump and burns out the stumpHelpful Reply -
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Betty on May 07, 2018
I planted ivy on mine it has covered the whole stump .Helpful Reply -
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Reta Maynor on May 07, 2018
drill a hole in the center and put a pretty solar light or a double shepherds hook and and put a couple nice full hanging baskets or you might get a solar light on a pole that has 2 arms and have both light and planterHelpful Reply -
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Michelle Masterson on May 08, 2018
Here in Florida we call that plant a "purple heart" and it spreads but its beautiful. 25.00 you can call a tree service or someone with a "Stump grinder" to get rid of it. Or you could make it into a table. I also like the fairy garden ideas.Helpful Reply -
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Mary on May 10, 2018
If you want to remove the stump, find a friend or relative who has a chain saw. First: you dig a trench around the stump. The trench has to be lower than the ground/grass area. By digging a trench around the stump, then someone with a chainsaw can get the blade of the saw below ground level. Then when all is done, you have a nice flat area. (my dad taught me this trick and I've used it on 5 trees. I didn't know anyone with a chain saw, so I used an axe to chop the stump down)Helpful Reply -
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Teacup8885 on May 10, 2018
Maybe put a bird bath on the stump n plant some taller decorative grass closer to stump!!?Helpful Reply -
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Stj11490811 on May 10, 2018
Start digging a little each day. Soon you’ll have the eyesore out of your lawn. My husband dug several stumps of that size or larger each summer from our property, the biggest being a large Norway pine stump. You can do it.Helpful Reply -
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Jan Milner Pirtle on May 12, 2018
I googled “how to decorate a tree stump” and it gave me lots of ideas.Helpful Reply -
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Fiddledd224 on May 12, 2018
I would make getting the stump out a priority! One of my trees was felled by a noreaster 2 years ago and this winter a swarm of termites got INTO MY HOUSE because they used the stump for home and to multiply. Now I have a VERY COSTLY project on my hands.Helpful Reply -
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Den4659909 on May 13, 2018
I would hollow out stump and turn it into a planterHelpful Reply -
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Sue on May 14, 2018
add a birdbath to the top of it or a bird feederHelpful Reply -
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Psc28529732 on May 14, 2018
Hammering in Copper nails on the top. It will kill the rest of the treeHelpful Reply -
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Psc28529732 on May 14, 2018
trickMeantime a pot with ivy and geraniums does theHelpful Reply -
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Judy Brittenum on May 15, 2018
Planting things around any item you wish to disguise only draws attention to it! For example, Vines up telephone poles and guy wires, stumps or huge rocks. A professional designer would plant another tree within 6-10 feet or group of flowering trees within a large bed of ground cover and mulch. Ideally have the stump ground down by a professional. The error was in not doing proper removal to begin with.Helpful Reply -
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Tony Ive on May 22, 2018
Depends if you want to remodel or remove this trunk. You're comments indicate you want to remove. Just about the easiest and quickest way to do this is by burning the trunk out.Use a chainsaw to reduce the height, leave about 12" standing.Make two saw cuts at right angles to each other to finish as low down as you can. Cut four wedges and hammer these in to each section of saw cut. They serve to keep the cuts wide open. Make sure you clean all loose branches and other detritus away.Choose a dry still day and start reasonably early. Drop a firestarter down the centre of the cut. Pour some kerosene or other inflamatory liquid into the hole. Remove anything away to a very safe distance. Light the fire, it will initially flare up but will settle down to to an intense fire quite quickly.As long as it is burning don't interfere with it. Before too long the stump itself will have disappeared. However, if there are large roots these may carry on smouldering underground for some time, probably turning to charcoal.The only real effort in all of this is using the chainsaw, cutting and banging in the wedges. Then there's the clear upHelpful Reply -
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