Creative Uses for Old Tree Stumps in the Garden

If you have cut down—or partially cut down—a tree in your garden and the stump is doing no harm, it’s a good opportunity to turn it into a decorative element. Fairy gardens and mini treehouses, birdhouse stands and flower planter holders are all possibilities.

Grab more inspiration with these creative garden container ideas and vertical garden projects.

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Creative Uses for Tree Stumps

When life gives you a tree stump, make use of it! There are times where complete tree removal may be necessary, but, if your tree stump is causing no harm, they make great additions to the garden.

It can be really upsetting to lose a great tree that dominated the space but keeping the stump can at least retain some vertical interest.

These ideas come from local home garden tours where each gardener has made the best of their situation.

Gnome Homes

This first one was built by the gardener to enchant her grandchildren. The multiple stumps are perfect for a multi-level gnome complex.

If you want to buy a fairy garden door or windows, when you shop be sure to check the sizes. Some of them are intended for miniature gardens, others are gnome-size.

In the next photo the longest tree branches had to be removed but much of the tree is intact.

The gnomes are making good use of it.

If you have a keen eye you may have noticed the ground cover and vine are both invasive species. Oy!

These smaller tree stumps are perfect for creating a little village.

In this other garden, the tree stump was placed here to create a fairy garden scene.

Flower Planter Stand

This is a simple (and obvious) idea and looks really great. I think the key is to use a planter that is proportionate to the size of the stump.

Birdhouse Posts

Many branches calls for many birdhouses!

If you haven’t cut your old tree down yet (one that must be removed, of course), think about what stump height would work best.

When it goes right, the tree stump will gradually decompose over many years, providing important animal food and habitat all along the way.

This next one is multi-tasking, holding the birdhouse, anchoring the laundry drying line, and has a face!

These tree faces were all the rage a few years ago. You can buy them here at Amazon.

Love birdhouses? Browse the creative birdhouse idea gallery here.

See the face? Perhaps your tree stump is waiting for a local artist to come carve something wonderful.

Plain Old Tree Stump

Removing big old trees can be dangerous and expensive, best done by professionals. Here it appears they had the offending branches removed but kept the large trunk intact. Those flat surfaces are calling out for planters with trailing plants!

And finally, a decorative bird house on this big, old stump. It’s probably one of those tasks where they did what they could and eventually surrendered realizing grinding down that stump was just too big a job.

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~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛