3 DIY Tree Stump Fairy House Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
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Ed Malaker
- Last updated:
Trees are a great addition to any property because they offer shade. Unfortunately, trees also die, and you will need to cut them down, often leaving an exposed stump that can be unsightly. Removing the stump can be expensive, so many people look for other options. One of the best ways to transform an old stump is to turn it into a fairy house, so keep reading as we provide you with several plans that show you how to do just that.
The Top 3 DIY Tree Stump Fairy House Plans
1. Gnome Tree Home by Instructables
| Materials: | Plywood wood, shingles, screws, nails |
| Tools: | Screwdriver, saw, hammer |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
The gnome tree home is a fantastic project that’s good for beginners and intermediate builders. The finished product looks amazing partly due to the intricate roof that looks complex but is only carpenter shims and felt paper. The easy-to-follow plan also shows you how to make windows and doors, and the higher your skill level, the more intricate you can make these parts for the house.
2. Gnome Tree Stump House by Gregg’s Miniature Imaginations
| Materials: | Papier-mâché, leaves, doll toys |
| Tools: | Paintbrush, glue gun |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The gnome tree stump house is different than the other plans on this list because it’s not a plan for recycling an old tree stump. Instead, this plan involves creating a fake tree stump out of papier-mâché. We included it here because it’s packed with information on how you can decorate a fairy house. There are several great ideas for using old doll furniture and even handcrafted models to create the interior of the home. This plan works especially well if your tree trunk has a large hole in it or if you have the tools to make one.
3. Tree Stump Gnome Home by HubPages
| Materials: | Plywood |
| Tools: | Screwdriver, glue gun |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The tree stump gnome home is a great project that walks you through the various parts of building a fairy house. It covers different ways to make the doors and windows and even discusses the landscape around the house so you can achieve a full effect. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for something that provides ideas instead of a step-by-step plan.
Tips for Creating a Tree Stump Fairy House
Safety Equipment
When working on any project, the most important thing is to protect your health and safety, so before you get started, ensure that you have the proper safety equipment. For example, if you are cutting or carving into the stump, you must protect your eyes and hands from flying debris, so safety goggles and work gloves are necessary. Anything that creates dust, like cutting wood, will require eye protection and a safety mask, and anything that produces a strong vapor, like glue or paint, will require plenty of ventilation and a safety mask. Don’t skimp on safety equipment — you can reuse most of it, and an accident can cause permanent damage.
Roof
The roof is likely the most difficult part of a fairy house project because it’s large and has to sit right. Inexpensive plywood is a good option because it’s easy to cut and make into the shape of a standard rooftop. A beginner can make something simple, while an experienced woodworker can make something complex. You can also use a large piece of bark from an old tree or purchase a ready-made roof at your local hobby shop.
Windows and Doors
The windows and doors are what will turn your old tree stump into a fairy house. It’s easy to purchase these items at your local hobby shop if you’re not skilled at crafts. However, these items are easy to create using old popsicle sticks, small twigs, and similar items, and building them from scratch can help you make something unique to your personality.
Interior
If the stump is quite large and in good shape, you might be able to carve out interior rooms. Adding an interior to your fairy house can push the illusion even further, and you can decorate it with miniature toys that you can purchase at the dollar store or might even have lying around the house if you have children.
Exterior
Another way to make your fairy house look more realistic is to create a small landscape around it so the tiny people who live there can have a wonderful yard to play in. Small colored rocks like those you might put in a fish tank work quite well, but you can also use dirt, mulch, or anything else that looks good.
Summary
Creating a fairy house is a great way to repurpose an ugly tree stump. It’s easy to create, and we think that you’ll be surprised at how impressive it can be. It can be difficult to find detailed plans, but we’re confident that if you start with the gnome home or gnome tree house, you’ll get a good sense of what you need to do, and your imagination will take over to help you create something that inspires others.
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Featured Image Credit: Justine Meyer, Unsplash
