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Creative Uses for Old Tree Stumps in the Garden

Published on March 24, 2021Last updated October 4, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

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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.

Examples of tree stumps used decoratively in the garden.

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.

Tree stump fairy home in the garden.

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.

Tree stump with ivy vines and garden gnomes.

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

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.

Old tree stump used as a flower planter stand in a garden.

Birdhouse Posts

Multiple birdhouses mounted on a tree stump.

Many branches calls for many birdhouses!

Church-like birdhouse on a tree stump in a garden.

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.

Rustic birdhouse on a tree stump in a garden.

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

Birdhouse on a tree stump in a garden.

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

Rustic wood birdhouse on tree stump.

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.

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!

Tree stump in garden with fountain.

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.

Tall white birdhouse with red roof on an old tree stump.

If you love creative garden ideas, be sure to sign up for the free newsletter here.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Examples of tree stumps used decoratively in the garden.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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