Normally, when a tree in your landscape falls down, you’ll want to remove the stump so that it doesn’t hurt your home’s curb appeal. However, a tree stump can also bring new utility to your home’s outdoor living space.
Assuming it’s at least 1 foot tall and has a smooth, even surface, for example, you can use it as a chair. But to do this, you’ll need to prevent the stump from decaying.
All Tree Stumps Decompose
In their natural state, all tree stumps will decompose. It’s not a fast process. Rather, it can take a stump anywhere from two to 10 years to completely decompose. As this process happens, the stump will gradually rot while turning into a fine, sawdust-like material.
The rotting and decomposition of a stump is the result of fungi. Fungal organisms feast on the cellulose and lignin within wood – a process that breaks down the stump. Therefore, to prevent a tree stump from rotting, you’ll need to protect it from fungi.
Although there are fungicides that can protect against rot-causing fungi, the best way to preserve a stump is to seal the surface with a finish.
Clean the Surface
Start by cleaning the surface of the stump. If there’s any lingering bark or lumps, remove them so that there’s only a smooth wooden surface remaining. You should then go back over the stump’s surface with a damp, clean washcloth to remove any dirt and small debris.
Sand the Surface
Although this is optional, sanding your stump will result in a smoother surface that’s easier to seal. Start by buffing the surface with a high-grit paper and gradually work your way to a fine-grit paper. The surface should feel smooth and even. When finished, clean the surface once more with a damp, clean washcloth.
Apply a Wood Sealant Product
Now it’s time to seal the stump. Using a small- to medium-sized brush, apply two or three coats of polyurethane wood sealant over the surface of the stump. Be sure to get the top and all sides. When finished, allow at least 48 hours for the sealant to dry, at which point the stump should be preserved.
Sealing a stump is a great alternative to burning or digging it up. And if you take the time to clean and polish it, a stump can add a new, natural chair to your home’s outdoor living space.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
Interesting article. I never would have thought of utilizing an old stump like this. I know that rotting stumps can attract pests, but it makes sense that you could avoid this by sealing the stump.
Leaving a tree stump in rotten condition can be harmful to the overall health of your lawn. Really informative post on taking care of the tree stump in your backyard. Keep up the nice work. Helped me a lot.
Is this the same process for a palm tree (Washingtonia filifera)? It is starting to ooze sap on the top and particles of some white substance have appeared. We plan on using it as a plant stand with a large heavy pot, 28” across.
Hi Kate. Thanks for your question.
I do not know if this same process would work on a palm tree stump but it’s very likely.
Does this work if the stump is still in the ground? When you say remove the bark, is that all over the whole stump? We have three stumps we want to make into a bench, but they are still in the ground.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reading. Yes, this works if the stump is still in the ground but as long as it is in the ground it will still be susceptible to pests and fungi.
If you remove the stump from the ground completely, cut off the root structure, removed the bark from the sides, and seal the entire stump you will have a stand-alone stool that you can move around and use for many years to come.
Hi, I have today had a tall pine felled in my garden and asked for the lower 1m to be left in the ground to use as a ‘natural’ table. I will follow your advice regarding the cut cross section however the aged bark looks great ( as in your header image ). What is the risk of early decay if I leave the bark on? Also, sorry for the questions, I had discs cut from the trunk. What is your advice regarding seasoning them before using them as table tops?
Hi Steve. Thanks for reading. I asked our in-house arborist to answer your question.
Here is his response: The risk of decay is high this time of year due to insects and climate. That will slow down during the winter (dormant season).
And the rule of thumb is to season wood before using it as a tabletop but that is really a preference.
I hope this helps.
2 weeks ago had a large (90ft) Hickory tree cut down. Has left a beautiful star shaped stump I would like to leave in situ. Live in North Central Florida. Humidity/termites etc. Can I treat it well enough to leave in the ground ?
Hi Carol. Thanks for reading. Hickory is the hardest of hardwoods so it will take longer for it to decompose than other types of tree stumps. You could treat it and get many, many years of enjoyment out of it, but it will eventually begin to decay, simply because of the climate where you live.
Why not cut the tree off as straight as you can, bore 4-5 1″ diameter by 1-2′ deep holes in the stump, and fill them with a liquid mixture of propylene glycol antifreeze and either boric acid or borax? The solution should seep down into the trunk and root system which should protect the stump for decades. Now and then go back and retreat. You probably should power wash the bark off and surface treat it too. You could put plugs in the holes and sand it down if you want a flush seating area.
Hi John. Thanks for your comment.
ethylene glycol not propylene glycol is best:
Boat Builders/Restorers are the experts on wood rot! My old friend, now passed, Dave Carnell researched this extensively: QUOTES:
There are two commonly available inexpensive materials that will kill rot in wood and prevent its recurrence. First, there are borates (borax-boric acid mixtures) which have an established record in preventing rot in new wood and in killing rot organisms and wood-destroying insects in infested wood. Second, there is ethylene glycol, most readily available as auto antifreeze-coolant. Glycol is toxic to the whole spectrum of organisms from staphylococcus bacteria to mammals. All of the published material on its effectiveness against wood-destroying fungi and insects that I am aware of is the result of my investigations over the past 15 years.
—–
Home-Brew Glycol Solution of Borates: 50% glycol antifreeze, 28% borax, 22% boric acid. To make a stable solution you mix the ingredients and heat till boiling gently. Boil off water until a candy thermometer shows 260°F. (This removes most of the water of crystallization in the borax.) This solution is stable at 40°F and has a borate content of 26%. With antifreeze at $6/gal. and borax and boric acid prices as above, this costs about $15/gal.
I have saved my 40 year old boat with this knowledge!
Regards, Terry King
…In The Woods In Vermont
The one who dies with the most Parts LOSES! WHAT DO YOU NEED??
what if a red oak stump that has 10′ ? Will this prevent the rot? And if it will how much of the solution should i let the stump to seep?
Hi,
I just had a totem carved into a pine tree stump that stands 6′ tall.
I would love for it to last a long time. I live in Whistler in Canada. We get a lot of rain and snow in the winter.
Would you recommend applying lint seed oil? Some other treatment?
Or perhaps cutting it down, drying it out and then trying to re-erect it?
Hi Michael. Thanks for reading. Since we are not familiar with the climate or trees in your area we’re unable to answer your question.
Thank you for the article… my question is much different than all of the above.
First, the previous owner of our property cut off a 14″ diameter Douglas Fir at about 7.5′ tall. They used this “tall stump” as the center pillar in a woodshed. It is completely from weather and seems to be holding up well.
I am interested in cutting another stump elsewhere on the property and use it as an anchor point. This Fir is about 36″ diameter. I am considering cutting it off at 5 to 10 feet tall and building a small roof on the top of it so that no water runs down it. of course, it is still in the earth so the roots will rot eventually. A wood sealant, too, is a good idea to apply to the top.
My question is if anyone has experience or seen a stump that was preserved in this way (from the top) and how many years it lasted.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Christopher. Thanks for reading. We don’t deal with Fir evergreen stumps that much so I would not be a good source for examples of overall reliability and longevity of the stump with regards to maintaining a structure as you describe.
Hi Christopher, I deal with a very similar question, and am located in the West-Kootenays. I wonder if you found any answers to your question? I have a fresly cut fir stump of 12′ high (it was alive) and I want to attach benches on it with wall mount brackets & looong lag bolts.
I’m looking to try something similar to what Christopher described, but with Loblolly Pine in SE Georgia. The soil is somewhat sandy. I’m curious, though, if the resin that accumulates in the trunk, once it’s been cut, can help slow the decay…? The fat lighter wood that results from this accumulation is said to take about 3-5 years to set in good, but once it has, it is super hard.
I welcome advice from anyone who has experience with pine resin/fat lighter wood and if topping a pine about 15 feet from the ground might allow for the resin to build and reduce rate of decay below the suface.
I have a ficus tree in Key West. It is indoors and over 100 years old. Due to a recent hurricane the top split off above the roof line. The trunk now is totally enclosed in the building and rotting. Because it is a part of the interior of the building I would like to know how I can save the trunk so people can still appreciate it. The trunk sits in the ground approximately 8 feet high and 5 feet in circumference. The bark is currently falling off and tree is starting to hollow. Do I need to somehow fill the inside of the tree with a preserver? Thank you so much for your help!!!
Hi Joseph. Thanks for reading. I spoke with our in-house arborist and your question is outside of his area of expertise. He recommends you contact a botanical garden and ask to speak to the maintenance staff.
Great info here. Glad I found this site.
I just had 4 out of 5 large oaks cut down. I left the largest, center oak. Two others were joined to it at the base, “sharing” a stump. Where the other two oaks “forked” off from the base, we left those stumps about 2’ high. Should I polyurethane those stumps that are still connected to the tree that was left? Also, will it hurt the live tree to grind stumps that are very close to it?
Hi Kevin. Thanks for reading. I personally wouldn’t recommend putting polyurethane on the stumps if they are still attached to the main trunk of the tree. That could create a problem for the main part of the tree that is still living. As far as grinding nearby stumps, it just depends on how close they are. If you are talking about the stumps that are still connected to the base of the tree I wouldn’t recommend that either.
Hi there, we have a stump that was given to us (so is not in the ground) should we seal all four sides (root side included) any recommendations how to go about that?
Thanks!
Hi Christina. Thanks for reading. You don’t mention whether the roots are still attached to the stump, but I will assume they are not. In which case you can just follow the instructions in this post to seal the stump completely on all sides.
Hi
A very detailed and good article.
i have 8 stumps left in our shed which are three years old…. they are out of shape and dirty…..can still follow the above process.
Thanks
Hi Mary. Thanks for reading. If the stumps have been in your shed and they haven’t begun to decompose very much, then yes, you can follow the steps outlined in this article. I wouldn’t try to preserve the stumps if there is too much decomposition taking place already.
How can you tell if there has been too much decomposition to seal it?
Hi Ann. If there are any significant signs of decomposition such as large cracks in the wood, or if it appears to have a lot of sawdust in and around it (evidence that bugs or termites have already begun eating away at it), then it may be too decomposed to try to seal it.
I have a stump table that was varnished. It’s an outside table and all the varnish has come away. There are now fungi growing on the stump which I like. Could I preserve the table leaving the fungi on? [edited by admin for formatting]
Hi Alyson. Thanks for reading. Personally, I don’t think that would work well.
Will the roots definitely still die after sealing the stump? That’s what I want.
Hi Karyn. That’s difficult to tell, but not necessarily.
Hi, does this process still require the tree stump to be dried out for 4-6 months? Im in UK, its been pretty hot the last 4 weeks, but last week we had 2-3 days of rain, I hadn’t picked up the stump yet so it had been on the floor. I then bought it home and stupidly de-barked and sanded without drying it out- there were a few pretty pests but not many and after removing the layer of bark I noticed one wet patch, though obviously this says nothing the condition inside etc. Thanks agin for this great post x
About ten years ago, I read that an in-ground stump could be preserved from rot and pests and left suitable for a work surface by letting it soak up quarts and quarts of linseed oil. Now above, I hear antifreeze and boric acid? I have a big pine tree that’s going to be removed shortly, and I want them to leave the stump in the ground as a table for general carpentry use or for splitting logs, so sealant on the cut top of the stump may not last very long. The root system is rather wide and goes near/under the foundations of the house. I don’t want the stump or the roots to become a termite HQ, and I’d prefer to avoid a lot of digging for root removal. What’s the best way to preserve my particular stump?
Furthermore, if I have them leave me a six-foot log from just above the stump, what’s the best way to turn that into a thick, solid table top? Split it into planks and let them season for a year or two, or leave the whole log intact for drying out and then afterwards start cutting it apart?
Thanks.
Hi Dave. Thanks for reading. I am really not able to answer your questions on this. Our expertise is in removing stumps, not preserving them.
Hi Dave W.
I have a similar situation, did you find any answers to your question? Thank you!
Hi,
We have very old swamp maple is what they are referred to in New Jersey ( it’s a maple tree) that was on the property when they build our development 70 years ago. It is the size of a 2 or 3 story building and we are having it cut down. We would like to keep the stump in the ground about 2 feet high and put finish it off with polyurethane and then put a wood carving on it, that we are going to purchase. Please tell us what we have to do to keep it beautiful. The tree is 14 feet around so this will be a large stump, what do we have to do to it to keep it forever.. Thanking you in advance. Our tree is going to be cut down on June 7th 2020.
Hi Faye. Thanks for reading. I really don’t have any more information for you than what is in this post as far as preserving your tree stump.
Hi!
This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the post. I have four Oak stumps that have been removed and they have been outside in the elements. They appear very strong and heavy and I thought that I would use these stumps as corners for a box garden I ma building. Problem is I am wondering if this is wise since I can’t preserve (seal) the stumps because I don’t want to use chemicals near my garden.
Any suggestions on what I could do?
Thank- you in advance.
Ann
Hi Ann. You can still use these stumps as corners for your box garden, just don’t use a sealant on them. They will eventually decompose but depending on the size, they could last for many years.
Hi. We have an tree stump in the ground that’s about 2 to 3 ft around. We live in Denver, CO. I’ve treated it with termite and carpenter pesticide as we saw a LOT of sawdust at the base. There are now significant gaps around the stump in addition to a few holes. We want to seal the holes before applying a polyurethane wood sealant over the surface of the stump. What can we use to seal the gaps?
Hi Jill. Thanks for reading. I got in touch with our in-house Arborist and here is his response to your inquiry. “Those holes, along with sawdust, is evidence of wood borers that can harbor in dead or decayed wood and exit to feed on good wood (i.e healthy trees). So, applying a coating will not protect against wood borers exiting and therefore, for the sake of surrounding trees and good wood, I would not recommend keeping that stump around. Especially if there is evidence of wood borers and possible termites. Cut it down and dispose of the stump and consider another object for your landscaped aesthetics.”
Should we use an oil based or water based sealant if still in the ground? Thanks.
I recently had about 12 trees lopped that grow around the perimiter of my garden. They ranged from 30 to 50 feet tall and were considered dangerous to nearby walls, buildings, etc. Most were left at about 8 to 10 feet tall, in the hope that they will grow new branches.
But some are just 3 or 4 feet high and I was wondering if there was anything I should put on these stumps to protect them from pests, e.g. termites. I don’t want to stop them growing new branches, if they are able to.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SSCfez7r4sfwoer3A
Thanks for any help you can give.
Hi Khun. Thanks for reading. I got in touch with our in-house Arborist and here is his response to your comment. “If you are attempting to encourage new growth by way of sucker shoots and you want to protect against insects, apply a root stimulator, Super Thrive, and Tree & Shrub. Drench all according to label instructions. That combination is fertilizer, vitamins & systemic insecticide. That should encourage growth and protect your trees. But again, read the labels and follow directions. Thank you”
Thank you for this article! We cut down a spruce and left a 2ft tall stump in the ground to make a table. The stump is producing sap which will make the sanding process tricky. Should we wait to seal the stump? And if so, how long?
Hi Jessica. Thanks for reading. I spoke with our in-house Arborist and his response is as follows: “Sap is an indicator of stress or infection from inside the tree. There is no guarantee that when the sap dries (and eventually it will) that it will not return. So if you seal when it dries then know bubbles underneath the sealant could form or cause sealant not to seal effectively. So roll the dice or pick a stump that does not show signs of internal stressors.”
We are in Northern Ohio and recently cut most of a Siberian Elm tree down but left about 20 feet standing to build a tree fort on top. Actually the main trunk splits into three trunks about 10 feet up . This gives us 3 vertical supports at 20 feet to build a platform on top of. The three tree trunks are all solid and range from 18 to 24 inches in diameter at the cuts. There were no limbs below the 20 foot point where these were sawn. Before beginning construction, what should we do on the tops of the cut trunks to prolong their use? We were going to use 6×6 timbers sitting on the tops of the trunks and spanning between them as the foundation of the platform. Any other suggestions overall on best approach to using the tree in this fashion?
Thank you, Bob H
Hi Bob. Thanks for reading. I would recommend taking the same steps outlined in the article to seal the cut tops. This will help, but may not completely alleviate, bugs and disease from entering the supporting trunks.
I am planning a similar project with some red oaks in my yard! How did it work out for you? I want the fort to last a long time!
We have a large black walnut tree that we plan to have cut down. I have asked for a 6 foot stump to remain so a treehouse can be added on top. Can we remove the bark and successfully seal that much of the tree along with needing to drill in support beams?
Hi Rebecca. Thanks for asking. However, I don’t really know the answer to your question. I would recommend you run that question by the company you hire to cut down the tree.
I have a huge pine tree that I’m going to have cut down because it is too close to the house. I want to leave a large stump and make a gnome house out of it. The polyurethane idea is a great tip that I will try. My question is, can it be polyurethaned immediately after cutting, or should I wait a while for it to dry out before sealing? (I have a new wood deck and was told to wait a couple months before sealing the new wood).
Hi Betsy. Thanks for reading. Yes, you should wait at least six months before sealing, and maybe longer. No moisture is critical to proper
Sealing.
Hi, I live in central Florida and had a large water oak taken down and left about 6′ of stump left in the ground. I grow a large variety of Vines, aroids, bromeliads & Tillandsias and other epiphytes. I want to cover the stump with a variety of these plants to make a naturalistic environment for them to grow & be mounted on . I would prefer not to remove all the bark but want to slow down decomposition as much as possible. Can you seal the trunk with bark intact? Are there any fungicides that can be applied/injected into the trunk to slow things down? Of course I need to use something that won’t harm the plants I grow or attach to it. If I plant rooted plants in areas near branching points were some of the tree has already rotted, any ideas on sealing that and preventing to decomp from progressing? I was thinking if the thicker epoxy sealant but not sure how drainage would work. This might be a more complex use I want the trunk for but believe it will be a fantastic addition to the front yard. Any ideas, or sources you can recommend on the subject would be great appreciated.
David
I read all the questions and comments. I have a tree stump made to fairy house. What I did was what I thought might work but need to wait and see. First I sprayed high concentration of insecticide to keep away attacks by the insects. Then I sprayed polyurethane as much as I can to prevent water entering the bark and from the top. Not sure whether this will work, but hoping to keep doing the same next year.
I have to take down a large honey locust in Maryland with a 4-ft wide trunk at its base. If I want to leave the stump in the ground and use it as a tabletop with the treatment you prescribe above, what happens to its roots that are in the ground spread over a large area? Also, it wasn’t clear to me whether you are saying that the bark on the sides of the stump should be stripped off and the bare sides treated with the sealant as well? Thanks.
Hi Everyone,
We have an almost dead Live Oak (That’s the Species) tree on our small lot on the Withlacoochee River in northern Florida. We will take down the top (with its few remaining leaves) and dead upper limbs, and plan to cut it flat at about 10 feet. We will bore down into it and apply ethylene glycol / borate preservative into it. Later we will build a small platform / treehouse atop it. We’ve built other live-tree treehouses and a tiny house so we have a clue.
QUESTION: The bark is now largely intact. I have heard we should strip it off and use preservative on the solid wood. Live Oak is rated high in rot resistance but I’d like to have this survive a long time for my Grand and Great-GrandChildren. What is your-all opinion?
OTHER: What about boring some long diagonal 1″ holes near the roots and also apply the preservative.?
HHMMMM… (My usual Engineering term)..
Regards, Terry King
…In The Woods In Vermont
The one who dies with the most Parts LOSES! WHAT DO YOU NEED??
I actually have a number of trunk sections (each two feet tall) that I would like to seal and secure to the ground, I’m working on cleaning and sanding the bare wood, but want to secure them to the ground so that people safely sit on them. They are one foot to 19 inches in diameter.
Thank you for this article. I am a new homeowner and have a large Oak tree very very close to the house. I want to have it cut down due to issues its already causing to the structure of the home not to mention all the critters its attracting which is causing additional problems.
If I cut down the tree, I am afraid it will cause other issues with the stump there – can I prevent infestations and any other issues by just sealing the tree stump?
Hello, Thank you for your post.
I live in Massachusetts. I want to preserve two large stumps about 3 feet tall from two large sugar maples we had to cut down in Oct 2020. They had a lovely pattern and fresh orangey color on the top. Over the year they grayed and blackened. Recently white fungus (?) started growing on them. We scraped off some and then planed off the rest so the color became fresh again. Applied 2 coats of Mineral Oil. (Didn’t try polyurethane as concerned about toxicity.) After about one week the white growth is coming back. I can scrub it off with water. But want to have something more permanent. Also, I don’t want to be attracting insects, etc by keeping the stumps. Any suggestions? Thanks. Sonja
I have a 60 foot Italian cypress it is dying. I’m having it cut down and was wondering how long does Stump would last with the bark intact if I seal it. Also what is the best sealant? I want to incorporate it into my fairy garden. Also can I save some of the branches on the bottom?
I am making chair stools from tree slices,, if I arrange the seats on pea gravel, will that be keeping off the ground to slow decomposition?
We have a cluster of three Queen Palms in our front yard. One of the trees died subsequent possibly due to overly aggressive trimming of the fronds. We now have one stump and two living palms. I would Like to preserve the stump. I have Read to use the black sealer, polyurethane, or maybe just let nature run its course. Any thoughts. We live in Irvine, CA.
We have a clevland pear tree.ove it. It has a deep hole in the center and may be causing rot. What can I do to prevent this? Thank you
Just came into 2 tree stump slices? I think thats what I would call them. Relatively freshly cut. I live in north Houston so its humid and I dont know how to dry out without cracking or if it even will dry out in all this humidity. Im wanting to preserve with bark on if at all.possible so I can use them inside as decor. How would I go about drying and sealing?
What a joke website
Love the website and all the information. Im in Houston and got a 4″ sweet gum disc cut from the tree harvested today. I want to build a table with it. How long would you season it? I know some about epoxys and polyurethane, do you have recommendations as to which way to go? Also I want to leave the bark on. Do you foresee problems? Any comments or ideas are welcome. Thanks.