18 Outdoor Tree Stump Ideas
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Got an old tree stump in your yard? Don’t rush to remove it! Check out these 18 outdoor tree stump ideas that can turn that woody leftover into something useful and beautiful for your garden space.
Natural Side Table
You can easily transform a stump into a handy side table for your outdoor seating area.
Sand the top surface until it’s smooth and flat.
Add a coat of weather-resistant sealant to protect it from rain and sun.
Now you have the perfect spot to rest your drink while you enjoy your garden.
Bird Bath
Hollow out the center of your stump to create a natural bird bath.
You can use a chisel or power drill to form a bowl shape.
Make sure the hollow is about 2-3 inches deep.
Your feathered friends will love having a spot to splash around while you enjoy watching them from your patio.
Flower Planter
Turn your stump into a stunning planter by hollowing out the center.
Fill it with soil and your favorite flowers or plants.
The wood will gradually break down, adding nutrients to the soil.
Try planting cascading flowers like petunias or ivy that will drape over the edges for extra visual appeal.
Garden Gnome Home
Create a magical spot in your garden by turning your stump into a gnome home.
Carve a tiny door and windows into the side of the stump.
Add small decorations like miniature furniture, a pathway of pebbles, or tiny garden tools.
Kids and adults alike will be charmed by this whimsical addition.
Rustic Seating
Need extra seating for outdoor gatherings?
Sand down your tree stumps and arrange them in a circle.
For added comfort, attach cushions to the tops.
These natural seats are perfect for gathering around a fire pit or creating an outdoor classroom area for kids to enjoy nature.
Outdoor Chess Table
For game lovers, transform a wide stump into a chess or checkers table.
Sand the top smooth, then paint a checkerboard pattern.
You can use light and dark wood stain or weather-resistant paint.
Add a few smaller stumps around it for seating, and you’ve created a perfect spot for outdoor gaming.
Garden Art Display
Use your stump as a pedestal to show off garden art or sculptures.
Sand the top flat to create a stable display surface.
You might place a gazing ball, pottery piece, or metal sculpture on top.
The natural wood base makes a perfect contrast to man-made art objects.
Mushroom Growing Medium
Did you know you can grow edible mushrooms on your stump?
Drill holes in the stump, insert mushroom spawn plugs, and seal with wax.
Within months, you’ll have your own mushroom garden.
Oyster and shiitake mushrooms grow well on stumps and can provide tasty harvests for years.
Tree Stump Path
Create a charming garden path using several stump slices.
Cut your stump into 2-3 inch thick rounds.
Place these rounds in the ground so they’re level with the soil.
Space them comfortably for walking.
This creates a whimsical, natural pathway through your garden that’s both functional and eye-catching.
Wood Slice Wind Chimes
Make musical wind chimes from your stump.
Cut thin slices from branches or the stump itself.
Drill holes in each slice, thread with fishing line or wire, and hang from a branch.
When the wind blows, the wooden pieces will gently knock together, creating soft, natural music in your garden.
Bug Hotel
Help beneficial insects by turning your stump into a bug hotel.
Drill holes of different sizes into the sides of the stump.
These holes provide nesting spots for solitary bees and other helpful garden insects.
Place it in a sunny spot near your garden to attract pollinators to your flowers and vegetables.
Outdoor Clock
Transform your stump into a garden timepiece.
Sand the front surface smooth and paint it white or a light color.
Add clock numbers and hands, then seal with weather-resistant coating.
You can use a real clock mechanism or simply paint decorative hands for a whimsical touch to your outdoor space.
Carved Animal Figure
With some carving tools and creativity, you can turn your stump into an animal figure.
Owls, bears, and turtles are popular choices that work well with the natural shape of stumps.
Start with simple cuts to establish the basic shape before adding details.
Even simple carvings can become charming garden features.
Fairy Garden Base
Create an enchanted fairy garden using your stump as the base.
Add miniature houses, tiny furniture, small plants, and pebble pathways.
This magical mini garden will delight visitors of all ages.
Change the decorations with the seasons to keep your fairy garden fresh and interesting all year.
Outdoor Bar
For entertaining, convert your stump into a standing-height bar.
Attach a larger circular wood piece to the top of the stump to create more surface area.
Sand and seal it well.
Add hooks on the sides to hang bar towels or utensils.
This creates a perfect spot for serving drinks during backyard parties.
Solar Light Display
Drill holes in your stump and insert solar garden lights for a magical nighttime display.
Arrange the holes in patterns or random clusters.
The lights will charge during the day and automatically glow at night, creating a beautiful, sustainable lighting feature that highlights your garden after dark.
Rainwater Collector
Hollow out your stump deeply and seal the inside with waterproof material to create a rainwater collector.
Add a spigot near the bottom for easy access to the collected water.
This natural-looking rain barrel will help you conserve water while adding rustic charm to your garden space.
Natural Outdoor Sculpture
Sometimes the most beautiful option is to simply let your stump be a natural sculpture.
Strip away loose bark, but leave the natural shape and texture.
Position garden lights to highlight its interesting features at night.
Surround it with contrasting plants to make it a true garden focal point.
