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6 DIY Tree Stumps Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Tree Stump

Tree stumps are both an eyesore and difficult to remove, but did you know there are many practical ways you can make use of them? From planters, sculptures, tables, and more, there are tons of ways you can turn that ugly stump into a beautiful, natural crafting project. Let’s check out some ways you can give your tree stump a new lease on life.

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The 6 DIY Tree Stumps Plans

1. Make a Stump Planter by The Shingled House

diy stump planter
Image Credit: The Shingled House

One of the easiest things you can do with a stump is hollow out the center and use it as a planter for your favorite flowers, plants, and foliage. The simplest way is to just take an axe or mattock and chop in a circular shape, but power tools might make the job less strenuous. Fill the hollow with soil, and the plants will receive nutrients from the stump as it decays. Sounds like a win-win to us.


2. Turn It Into a Table by Holland Avenue Home

diy tree stump coffee tables
Image Credit: Holland Avenue Home

If you enjoy rustic scenery, why not repurpose that large tree stump into a table? Simply sand the top down until it’s level, and perhaps trim any jagged bark or roots that may be hanging about. When you’re finished, you can plop that bad boy in front of your fire pit, on the porch, or even in the living room. Tree stump tables are a timeless and charming addition to any country home.


3. Craft or Commission a Sculpture by Wayfair

diy odin tree stump statue table
Image Credit: Way Fair

Stumps make the perfect blank canvas for a gorgeous sculpture, although they’re very difficult to make yourself. If you have a chainsaw and a lot of experience using it, you can try your hand at making stump art, but we’d recommend hiring a chainsaw artist. They may not be cheap, but their skills are unparalleled, and they can make just about anything you can imagine.


4. Turn It Into a Tic-Tac-Toe Board by Sewmanyways

diy tic tac toe tree stump
Image Credit: Sew Many Ways

For a more fun addition to the yard or firepit area, you can convert a stump into a fun tic-tac-toe game board. Just sand down the top and draw some lines with a marker, or tack on lengths of ribbon, as illustrated in the link above. Instead of drawing to play, use stones, pine cones, or other small natural objects. If you have checkers, you can line up a checkers board instead!


5. Add Bird Amenities to Attract Wildlife by Yard and Garage

diy tree stump decorating ideas
Image Credit: Yard And Garage

Depending on the size of your stump, you can simply sprinkle seed on top of it to attract birds or you can go all out with larger stumps and attach bird feeders. If you have multiple stumps, consider mounting a bird bath on top of one and nailing some birdhouses to another. With enough stumps, you could have more wildlife in your yard than Snow White!


6. Put a Treehouse on Top by Flickr

diy stump tree house
Image Credit: Flickr

For larger stumps that are firmly attached to the ground, consider using them as the foundation for a treehouse or playhouse. As you can see in the photo, you can add slides or opt for ladders in higher structures. This is a relatively advanced idea, but if you have some tools and know your way around wood it’s doable in a weekend. You can surprise the kids for the summer with a fully decked-out treehouse near other trees for shade or put a mini playhouse in the yard.

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Conclusion

Tree stumps are typically seen as eye sores and space hogs, but they can be turned into beautiful art, bird neighborhoods, furniture, or even treehouses for your kids. Stumps are an awesome way to use nature’s leftovers to your advantage instead of letting them, well, sit there like a log.

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Featured Image Credit: darius bashar, unsplash

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