How to Turn Unsightly Tree Stumps into Workable Garden and Outdoor Elements

Let’s face it: those unsightly tree stumps in the front or back yard are not doing much to enhance the natural beauty of your garden. Tree stumps can be an eyesore, and especially if you are set on having an eye-pleasing garden. Tree stumps can also be quite expensive and difficult to remove. If you are willing to work with the unsightly tree stumps in your yard, here are a few ideas for transforming these eyesores into workable garden and outdoor elements.

Disguising Unsightly Tree Stumps as Workable Outdoor Decor

Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to remove your tree stumps, why not simply work around them? Indeed, you can create several workable outdoor decor elements that revolve around your tree stumps, including a quaint old wishing well. This project works best if you only have one tree stump, or if your tree stumps are spread far enough apart throughout your out door space. You can build or buy a pre-made decorative yard wishing well to place around the perimeter of the tree stump. Pre-made decorative wishing wells can be purchased unfinished or finished in a variety of colors and designs. Most wishing wells are round enough that they will fit well around tree stumps. This is a charming outdoor decorative element that is an easy way to disguise unsightly tree stumps in your yard.

You can be as creative and artistic as you like, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. I hope the sculpture in this photo inspires you to think outside the box and really let your creative juices flow.

Working With Your Unsightly Tree Stumps to Create a Dazzling Display

Instead of trying to completely disguise your tree stumps, you can use them to create a dazzling container garden display. Use the tree stumps as pedestals on which to place your decorative pots and containers. You can choose a planter or container that is around the same size as your tree stump and use the stump as a plant pedestal. Use smaller planters to create a decorative ring around the tree stump. For this type of project, you can really unleash your creativity. Use coordinating and colorful decorative planters and containers to create a fun and creative tree stump garden display.

An alternative, that takes a bit more work but produces an even more natural and therefore beautiful result, is to turn the tree stump itself into a planter. This works really well with a stump that has started decaying and breaking down in the center. All you need to do is chisel or chop and scrape out a hollow in the center of the tree stump. If the wood you remove is well rotted it can be mixed into the soil that you fill the hole with. This is what would happen in nature, the tree would decompose and return to the soil. In the case of very large trees after they fall and start to decompose they become “nursery trees” as young seedlings began to grow from them.

Use Your Unsightly Tree Stumps as a Fountain or Statue Pedestal

You can also use your unsightly yard tree stumps to create an interesting statue or fountain garden display. Tree stumps work as natural pedestals. You can ring the tree stump with decorative yard displays, including coordinating flowerpots or containers. In the middle, you can place a decorative fountain or statue that stands as the centerpiece of your display. This is a fun and easy way to make the most of your tree stumps.

If you are artistically inclined, or know someone who is, you could carve the sculpture out of the trunk itself. Then you have the option of letting sculpture stand alone or incorporate it into the garden by planting around it in a way that enhances both the sculpture and the garden.

Use Unsightly Tree Stumps as Building Blocks to Your Garden Display

With a bit of work and ingenuity, you can turn those unsightly tree stumps into an integral part of your garden design and display. Using a saw or other tool (depending on the strength, size and location of your tree stumps), you can cut your tree stumps so that they can act as ‘stepping stones’ to your garden. Shave down each tree stump at intervals to create the effect of ‘building up’ to your main garden display. This is a fun and easy way of working with your tree stumps to create an unusual and eye-pleasing garden design. This is a great option even if your stumps have been cut quite close to the ground. You can either leave the tree stumps in their natural state, or paint on them to create a unique and beautiful accent.

Smooth Down Your Tree Stumps to Create Ready-Made Garden Seating

This is a fun and practical way to make use of those unsightly tree stumps. You can build a decorative garden display around the tree stumps, and then smooth down the stumps themselves into comfortable and smooth tree stump seats. Create your own meditative Zen garden, and use the tree stumps as well-worn meditating stoops where you can sit and take in the surrounding garden.

Related posts:

1. Adding Decorative Elements an Easy, Fast Way to Punch Up a Garden Do you suffer from boring, dull surroundings? Do you wish...