Turn An Old Tree Stump Into An Artsy Garden Feature You'll Love

It's always a shame when you have to remove an old tree, and the stump left behind can be a blight on your landscape. If you're not sure whether removing a tree stump is the right choice for you, there are alternatives. Rather than accepting the stump as an eyesore or spending several hundred dollars to remove it, try reimagining it as garden decor. Whether you recently lost a tree due to a storm or old age, you can still use the stump to elevate your yard. This simple DIY only requires three items: sandpaper, acrylic paint, and resin. You can paint the stump yourself or turn the DIY into a bonding experience for the whole family.

Steal creative inspiration from a colorful koi pond. Even if you don't have the space or budget to dig a real koi pond, you can turn your tree stump into a koi-style art piece. Grab several shades of acrylic paint. You can mix your own shades from primary colors, or purchase individual paints in blue, green, brown, orange, and yellow. The Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set is highly rated and offers a range of color options. Start by sanding down the top of your tree stump with 80-grit sandpaper. Then, paint your koi pond-inspired design. Once your painting is complete, you can seal the surface with a product like the Janchun Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit.

You can easily refresh your backyard landscape on a budget with this project, and there are several ways to take the painted surface a step further. For example, consider adding three-dimensional elements to make your fake koi pond pop. These Vkevoc Antique Koi Fish Statues can be set on top of your stump for visible texture. If you don't want your decor to protrude quite as much, these Rainflow Artificial Lily Pads are a fun option to glue directly onto your painted stump.

Decorative stones are another addition that can give your painting more depth. For an earthy look, go with Shizwu Natural Black River Rocks. If you want to create a more playful appearance, opt for a rainbow of flat glass marbles. To enhance the look of your two-dimensional koi pond, try surrounding the base of your stump with decorative red mulch. Although it might not be real, this koi pond idea might help you find inner peace while giving your yard an eye-catching upgrade.