If you have an ugly, old tree stump in your yard, you may have grown weary of having to look at it every time you go outside. If so, consider using one of the two ideas below for camouflaging the eyesore and making it a functional part of your landscape.
Create A Raised Flower Bed Over The Stump
One way to camouflage the stump is to create a raised flower bed on top of it. For this idea, you will need topsoil, enough to make a mound about four inches around and above the stump. You will also need annual flowers to plant in your bed. When choosing your annuals, make sure you consider your location's planting zone to increase your plants survivability.
You may also want to use stones around the perimeter of the flower bed. These not only add a pleasing visual element, but the stones also help keep the dirt in place. You can also use short railroad ties or boards, especially if you wish your flower bed to have a rectangular or square shape.
As you mound the dirt over the stump, pack it slightly to create the shape you wish for it to form. Once you have positioned the dirt, encircle it with your border of choice, if desired. Then, plant your flowers according to the instructions and water thoroughly.
Make The Stump Into An Outdoor Table
A functional idea for camouflaging your old stump is to make it into an outdoor table. However, this only works if the stump is tall enough for your purposes and wide enough to either use the top as the tabletop or large enough to place a board on it. The tree stump should be at least a foot tall and a couple of feet wide.
The stump should also be free of rotting wood, which could attract insects to your table. It can also make your tabletop unstable.
For this project, you will need an outdoor paint in the color of your choice. If you wish to use the stump's top as the tabletop, you will also need sandpaper. To complete this type of table, lightly sand the top of the stump. Then, paint it and the sides. Allow the paint to dry, then give it a second coat.
If you do not want to use the stump's top, you will need a piece of plywood cut to the size you want your table to be. Center the plywood on the stump, and drive a four-inch nail through the center to keep it in place. If desired, use more nails around the stump's edges. Once this is done, paint as described above.
The two ideas above are meant to cover up an old stump. However, if you decide you want to get rid of it completely to minimize bugs in your yard or to keep from having to mow around it, you may want to speak to a tree stump removal service about your options.
Share6 November 2015
After we moved into our house, we knew that something had to be done about our trees. The branches looked off-kilter, and we could tell that someone had pruned them incorrectly at one time or another. Unfortunately, we weren't really sure how to repair the damage. A family friend talked with us about hiring a professional tree trimmer, and so we called them the next day. The difference that they made was astounding. They removed dead branches, trimmed up the shape, and let more sunlight through. My blog is all about improving the look of your trees by hiring a professional.