By Anna Thayer

We have seen a growing trend among our clients who are choosing to leave their stumps high. When our clients need to take down a tree in their yard, they are then faced with an important decision: we either cut the tree down as low as possible or we use our stump grinder machine to completely remove the stump. Most of the time our clients like for us to grind the stump and leave the stump grindings so they can use it as mulch in their garden beds. Talk about repurposing! We love that.

However, we have seen others in the area deciding to leave their sumps ranging from a couple of feet high to very tall — like 10 to 15 feet high! We have seen people do many things with their stumps, including hiring artists to carve beautiful designs into them; while others have turned them into gnome, fairy, or mystical homes; and still others have been turned into planters. We love all the creative ways people are using their stumps as yard art!

Did you know that while keeping your stump can add some artistic flair to your yard, it can also provides a home and nourishment to our local fauna? Bugs, birds, fungus, amphibians, small mammals, you name it…thrive when stumps are left high. It provides the same environmental benefits as dead and decaying trees when it comes to the local ecosystem. [1] All these creatures use the stumps as homes and food storage. [2] Jim was able to take a photo of a native Eastern Hercules Beetle Dynastes tityus. This native beetle can grow up to 2.4 inches and it feeds on grubs and decaying wood. Good find Jim!

*Photo taken by Jim Donegan on July 6, 2022 – Donegan’s Tree Service shop location*

No matter the reason you removed your tree — perhaps it was dying or no longer healthy — if you decide to keep the stump the most important thing to remember is your safety. Be sure that the stump poses no hazards to you or anyone that will be around it. If it has no to minimal hazards, then create away — or let nature take over — and watch the beautiful transformation. You can also reach out to us and we can help you identify any hazards.

Have some stump yard art of your own? Send us some photos of your stump creations or the wildlife thriving on your stumps. We would love to see them!

References:

1 - https://www.nwf.org/Trees-for-Wildlife/Wildlife-Benefits

2 - https://www.wildbirdscoop.com/dead-trees.html

Great Links and Ideas:

https://balconygardenweb.com/creative-things-to-do-with-tree-stumps/

https://digginginthegarden.com/decorate-or-hide-a-tree-stump-in-your-yard/