Then apply two or three coats of polyurethane wood sealant over the surface of the stump. That’s O.K. You can use all 4 legs or just 3. Chris – You can dry it inside and seal it and everything, but if you’re leaving the tree outside, personally, I wold probably just remove the bark and leave it natural. You’d have to look for vintage barnboard that’s around 100 years old to come across something like that. Here in this instructable we’re taking an old tree stump that we removed out of our yard with a backhoe. I’m so glad you finally posted about this- I’ve been waiting… let’s go with patiently… since you mentioned you were going to tell us all about it way back when you first shared your house! Years my farmer step-father tells me. NO, you absolutely do not have to put legs on it. You *could* peel away the outer bark and hope for nice bark underneath. beautiful Harvest Table…the top was 34″ wide,92″long,2 1/2″ Thick….White pine I believe..still being used daily….a great piece of furniture..teach me how to send you a picture They advertise a lot during this time of year so they’ll be easy to find. Always try green first! Superbly cool. Good luck! The problem with not removing the bark is it will eventually come off by itself as the wood dries and shrinks. I think I am going to go right out to the nearest plot of trees and find a fallen one just to make a table like yours! This post shares how to make a tree stump table and originally appeared on Simply Designing. I mostly use water based – hardly any odor, and does a wonderful job. LOVE IT…so timely, my husband wants one…but I’m not DIY gal…you think I could do first time round? 1.) Does that seem right?? Can’t wait to find me a stump and a boyfriend and get to work! i have alot of experince in that area. Thanks for the stump table instructions. there was a piece of truck that was so different i wanted to keep it but not for the house. Handily my backyard happens to be full of stumps. HOW TO MAKE A TREE TUMP TABLE: MAKING THE TOADSTOOLS FOR THE TREE TRUNK TABLE: You’ll first need to source some tree stumps – 3 to be exact. You guys, we made a table from a slice of tree stump, no joke! Good luck! I love your table – but I LUUUUUV what you have going on with your furry chair. ~ karen. I am in love with the rustic-modern look of this table. You can dig around (dig the rotted wood out) to see how far it goes. Beautiful work! And the commentary is priceless. Would love to try to make my own, just have to figure out where to get a stump. Hey I have the same problem, great suggestion. I’ve actually been looking for an appropriate stump for about a year now, but it never even occurred to me to ask at a firewood place, I believe there’s even one of those right around the corner from my house! I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. Or you can find the same sort of legs on Amazon. Best of all, the bark’ll come off a lot easier. To make my tree trunk table, I asked the guy at my local nursery if I could buy one of the cut sections of logs that he was chopping up to make firewood to sell. Why do people think that only something that will kill you is needed to get rid of tiny bugs? Aug 13, 2017 - Explore Carol Little's board "Tree Trunk Tables" on Pinterest. I started following your blog because of that article! Thanks Karen! I would advise waiting a day or two before you sand down your tree stump, just to make sure the epoxy is as hard as it can be. Thanks for the comment. The tree trunk stump table works perfectly to hold a plant or plate to place an afternoon snack on when I find myself needing a break and want to relax outside. It kinda scares me. My swears fall all over the place–especially in my kids’ rooms. Over 20 years ago when I bought my home I found most of my furnishings at garage sales or at the side of the road. Also, the bark holds moisture that will lead to rot slowly and attracts bugs – or at least gives them a foothold to hide away from predators while they attack your stump from relative safety. :) ~ karen. You’re so inspirational! And I love how you have nail varnish on in the photos, makes you a glamorous workwoman in my book! He sold me this chunk of trunk for $ 10. InMyOwnStyle.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If your sofa has arms at 25″ and you want it to be around level with the arms, then you need a stump that’s 18″ tall. Cut the top square to the trunk and do it as straight as possible. First things first. It’s also nice to try to get a stump with a knot, or some bumps where branches were coming out of it. Happy New Year! ~ karen, Regarding the wide board for a table top…Almost Love the table! The ads rotate so I’m not sure which one you mean. However …. ~ karen. Amazing project! My weekend project just extended by a few years:/. We live across the road from a golf course in Sydney, Australia and there are constant big thing chunks of wood like this on the side of our street as they cut down the huge trees lining the course… and I’ve always wanted to make one into a coffee table! I like the look of legs. ~ karen. I live in the Hamilton area too, so I’m wondering if you can share where you bought yours and the approximate price. You have to remove the bark. As one does when they’re poor and stores rudely refuse to price anything at $0. Be careful not to hack into the wood with the chisel though. Equipment needed to make the make a similar table: Power sander - I have a random orbital sander. What more could I ask for? If it’s a brand new tree that’s *just* been chopped down, it’ll take at least 2 months to dry out. Just wipe it onto the light portion of your wood with some paper towel. I may attempt this as soon as I’m done butchering the repurposed fur coats in the living room. Do you know how to attach a picture to an email? However, this free thing didn’t require that I scrape dried cigarette butts off of it, so it was bound to work out better. Karen, your table is just gorgeous. I’m glad you found my site. Any chance you could share what you did there? My husband can’t change a lightbulb and is no help either. Not only are the majority of them constructed from reclaimed or sustainable wood, but they are eye-catching and sure to start a conversation. Your legs will be 6 inches high, so figure out how tall your stump needs to be for where you want to put it. I love how you don’t just SAY, ‘Hmm, I could do that,’ but you go out and actually DO IT. Hey Pam’a! Written by Karen. I snapped in spectacular fashion, raining swear words and exasperation over everything. ~ karen. Place the wood it on its side (gravity is your friend) and let it dry (solidify) for a long while, and once done, it will look like smooth glass filled with sparklies. just with clear polish- and lower with longer legs. May 24, 2016 - Explore Beulah Laster's board "Tree trunk table", followed by 419 people on Pinterest. If you have a chair with a lower arm, or even just a corner, the stump with no legs will look great. After the first coat has dried, apply the grit sandpaper over the entire stump. Copyright © 2021 The Art of Doing Stuff. I have lots of big tree stumps but none of them are cut straight. Set the base of each leg into an L-shaped mortise and drill a pilot hole at each mounting hole in the leg base. googletag.enableServices(); Just thought you should know. NOW … you have a stump table or seat… with a CUBBY in it…. Just reading this… I would use a power-sander. Coincidentally if you allow yourself to dry out for a month you’ll lose several pounds too. Using a table saw, cut your tree trunk into strips. hi great work….just wondering…how do you know if the stump has termites? If you do want to seal or stain a tree trunk stump: Filed Under: Outdoor & Exterior, Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose, Summer & Patriotic Decorating. To stop your stump from drying out even more and to keep it from getting marked on top when you put things down on it you should seal your tree stump. It’ll lose several pounds and the bark will loosen, making step 2 easier. ~ karen! Once you have the legs positioned, mark the holes in the plates with either a pencil or a marker. JudithShakes Designs, I’m guessing? If you are cutting the piece yourself, chalk two parallel lines around the trunk and use a chainsaw to cut around the perimeter. All Rights Reserved. Look for stumps with a wide diameter and about 18″ – 22″ high. Again, the look and colour and grain will be different depending on what type of wood stump you’re working with. Use a very sharp chain and take your time. Thanks for hosting me, Ashley! Good luck and lemme know if you go though with it. I’m thinking of doing one in gold leaf next. do it myself. Blech. Miter saw (hand saw possible) Power drill ; Dusk mask or well vent space; I have left out a major step to this project - cutting the … Now it’s time to finish the table. Just do it. Now I`m looking forwart to do the next steps. Hi Chrodis. Good luck with the stool! Good luck. It got shared, copied and posted about so much it’s one of 3 posts that I consider to have kickstarted my blogging career (thanks in part to Design*Sponge loving it too.) And I have a “chucker” in the family…my daughter. Use them as tables in your living room, nestle them in a cozy corner or place them in the bedroom as bedside tables. Use a variety of sandpaper grits to sand it smooth. Grab a 200 grit sandpaper to smooth the tree stump. Send me a picture when you’re done! That’s right. I have three pine stumps that were cut fresh last September just for this purpose. I'm an Amazon affiliate some I get a few cents when you buy something I've linked to. ~ karen, This is brilliant! If I were to do one today, I’d do it with a greyish blue whitewash. I’ll post it on Facebook! Once all your holes are predrilled, place your legs and brackets back on and screw them into place. Jennifer, try Don at the Gold King Mine in Jerome. Hey Karen, Rona here in Canada has barn board. There are a huge variety of tables made using tree trunks available. (Other than it just looking cool), Thanks for comin’ on over from Design*Sponge Samantha! Your email address will not be published. Balls!!! It was a really beautiful old white oak tree, but unfortunately blocked out so much light that it put the entire front of their house in the shade and meant that they couldn’t grow a thing. I want to keep the beautiful bark in tact, do you think it would work? Learn how your comment data is processed. SEAL IT It was difficult to remove because it was Walnut. Be careful not to gouge the wood stump. The good news is I start a photography course tonight. Also, when the birch tree *does* get quite large, the bark tends to be icky. If you love animals then you will know how crucial it is for small birds to be able to eat seeds and fat during the year to stay healthy. Thanks Cheryl! Oak, probably is. And just for fun … weigh the stump before you start drying it and then after. They do vertical cuts there. Hi Emma. living in the mean streets of east london i dont come across abandoned tree-stumps like your one very often, but i really love this little guy and keep a special place in my heart for it. I’ve seen some lovely stumps and branches where spaces of dug-out wood are filled with bits of agate, or glass marbles, or other such interesting items… and the hole is then filled with resin. It is not enough just to put a glass top on a stump, as the wood may rot and leave you with a nasty stain on your carpet or floor. A few months ago, I noticed that our neighbors were having a tree removed from their front yard. two of my friends asked me to make one for them. can i cover it out side it is always raining and bigand heavy to drag in the house. I didn’t remove the bark or seal it with polyurethane. Locate a 30-42" diameter 8-10" depth tree trunk from a tree trimmer or clearing company. Thanks so much for this! Christ, I left an EXpensive down robe to be worn during the wet cold months in the Pacific NW, where the only heat in the house was by one measly fireplace. Heck no, you don’t have to put legs on it. It is just a STUMP!! How to Choose the Perfect Wind Chime For Your Outdoor Space. having said that, I did do my stump inside because it’s the middle of winter here in Southern Ontario. Love this! Since my tree trunk table is on my deck that is surrounded by trees, I wanted to keep it as natural as possible. Hi Ryan – Termites aren’t a huge problem around here, but to check for them I’d just see if the stump is much lighter than it should be. Also, on a side note it’s worth mentioning that three legs on anything makes it more stable on uneven surfaces. We mentioned tackling a DIY project we were pretty excited about weekend before last — well we finally got it finished and this is it. Does it need legs or could you just seal both ends? ~ karen! I even made it easy to move. Now I need to find a stump. I tend to be a big spilly and bangy. They are commonly used as tables shelves bar-tops and mantles. stump in the mail order catalog does not have legs! I make sure mine are dried for 2 years before starting work on it, since wood moves as it dries. ~ karen, Hmm. Another little thought to add to the stump idea is, if there is a significant spot of rot… but you REALLY like your stump… dig out the rot till you cant take any more out…. Others should work, but the random orbital will allow you to get a fine finish. For free. One that hasn’t been infested with aliens. ... With a less literal interpretation of trees, the Dining Table Angkor by Oliveir Dolle uses one of its legs as the tree trunk and continues the graphic across the tabletop. :) ~ karen. and when i rolled it over there was little bugs on it I don’t know what they were I threw water on them and they went away. And don't worry, no spam and you can unsubscribe anytime. Use a measuring tape to make sure they’re an equal distance apart. It’s tree stump season. ABSOLUTELY you can do t his as a first time DIYer! Oh yay! Use a small to medium-sized paint brush, apply stain, let dry. Thanks for the inspiration! ‘Hope that helps! The $199. Had to move it out into the hallway. I guess I just need to learn how to use my chain saw. Feel free to tell the rest of Australia about my site. And the only reason I designed it is because I’m a control freak. Or whitewashed! If you insist on leaving the bark on to use the stump outside, find a Walnut stump because (in my experience) the bark has more of a tendency to want to stay on the tree. But like you, I am too cheap to let loose with the cash. They contain no man-made seams, relying solely on the diameter of the tree for size. The bark was a nightmare to remove. ~ karen. jac, Jac – Here you go … https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/before-after-how-to-recover-a-chair-in-5-minutes Easy as pie. You’re very welcome Joselyn! How to Make a DIY Tree Slice Table. Love your blog and support it by supporting your advertisers! I am in LOVE. Once the stump has dried out remove the bark from it using a prybar and a hammer to chisel it away. If you let your stump dry outside, as opposed to inside you'll still need to let it dry out inside for another couple of weeks to acclimatize it. This is VERY cool, Karen. Once the bark is off, clean the stump well with a hose and scrub brush and let dry. No problem Tami! Before & After Exterior House Painting Reveal, Adding a Kitchen Island to My Small Kitchen, Why I Like To Decorate Using the SLOW Method, Copyright © 2020 In My Own Style, Diane Henkler, Invaluable Painting Tips For the Home Decorator, Paint Recommendations for the DIY Decorator, DIY Chalk Paint Recipes For Painting Furniture. Be sure to get the top and all sides. If your stump was already cut and dried from wherever you got it, you can just bring it inside for a couple of weeks. We had a tree down from the Sandy storm. This kills me. (it may darken/change the colour of the birch) If I were you, I’d try the poly. I guess I just inferred it from the combo of 1) the bark being hard to chip off, and 2) wanting to get it done in time for Christmas. It will rot eventually but it will be a long, longgggg time before that happens. I am going to get a log this weekend! Do I need to remove the bark before I seal it? Sand your stump to get it smooth and then run over it with a tack cloth or damp cloth to remove any sawdust. ~ karen! Fabulous work! Thanks! Cut the root ball off, establishing the foot of your table. If I wore jewelry while doing something like this, it would fall off into the varnish no doubt.). Hi Melissa – Thanks for visiting. Thanks for taking the time, effort and good humour to write such an entertaining DIY blog- certainly has inspired me to use a piece of birch that the previous owners left under our deck- except I shall leave the bark on- it’s beautiful. Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. Believe it or not this contemporary graphic was inspired by 12th century temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Pull over, ask them if you an have a section of a branch if they’re big or the stump. I really don’t want to throw the tree out. Walnut is NOT one of those woods. (LOVE your cuff and ring in the tack cloth demo photo — the sign of a true professional. It depends if you want your table to be on legs or sit directly on the floor. To seal the tree trunk stump: Use a small to medium-sized paint brush, apply stain, let dry. Slabs are cut perpendicular to the trunk of large trees, for tables, craft projects and specialty items. I’m mortified you’re seeing my awful photos by the way. If you do … send the pics. My husband and I made a birch stump a while back, but it’s not level :-\ and we left the bark on. Use a measuring tape to make sure they’re an equal distance apart. If you want to make a fun children's play table from a stump in your yard, sand and polish a stump that's still in the ground. The stump now needs to be sanded to get all the little hairs and slivers off it. I have been dreaming of the stump table at West Elm. It’s only certain types of woods that have a very stubborn bark. My table looks *almost* as good as it did when I first made it. Start by cleaning off any dirt or surface debris on the stump with a cloth. Making something out of nothing is always fun. 35 years ago while skiing in Vermont,Killington,…I stopped at at mill WEIRD WOOD something….and I picked a board,that they shipped to my house….lots ow work later..I had a Why bring your tree trunk inside and use it as part of your home décor when it can easily become part of your garden design instead? So I went over and asked if I could take some slices of the tree he was cutting; he said yes! Forget Wonder Woman, you are my hero. Walnut is one of them! Thanks for the tutorial. Seal the top, sides and bottom of the stump 2-3 times. karen! Your email address will not be published. On my first stump table I didn’t do it … on this one I did. ~ karen, Hi Karen, of course I will send you a picture. Your stump may need up to 6 coats on the top. I’m in Kitchener, and Hamilton isn’t too far away. Hi Katie! And it was probably just being mean. EGGS & TOAST. Oh dear God, Nancy. That’s what makes fall tree stump season! Once your stump is smooth wipe over it with a damp, lint free cloth or a tack cloth. With as much work as it took to get this tree stump out of the ground, it would be a shame to let this go to waste. Awesome!! If you’re keeping the stump outside, treat it the exact same way I’ve shown you in the post. ~ karen. on a small, dry, birch branch. That’s what got me into trouble with my house in the first place.Decorating it with things I had found at the side of the road. I let the stump dry for months. You can get the resin you need from most hardware or paint stores. There will still be a colour variation, just not quite as distinct. I have NO idea why! Remove the legs and fit your drill with the appropriate sized drill bit. My stump is 15″ across by 18″ high, with the 6″ legs it’s a total of 24″ high. One of your ads isn’t working properly. I have a million ideas but not the knowledge or skill with tools to do anything. Um, re: asking you who did your site. Drill pilot holes over each mark you made. Okay…gotta get me a stump first. Size at 516″Wx64″Dx30″W now I ` m so happy about it get large enough to into! I am assuming I can ( and will! run your hand the. The lighter and easier it ’ s recommended that you screw into the varnish no.. A glamorous workwoman in my home is as nice without little Cleo laying it! Wondering if you have nail varnish as opposed to nail polish time round see ideas. To start a conversation that is surrounded by trees, I am absolutely going to happen steps u to. Can steal a stump and it looks very good and really fits into livingroom... The repurposed fur coats in the Phoenix area, but 4 is definitely more stable on uneven surfaces burrows... All that hard work in a vertical section of a true professional few materials that you DIY it then! Until I hid the stump with no legs will look great up to 6 inches ; they are and... Sure to start a photography course tonight dry longer or carefully use a.! So my visiting niece wouldn ’ t want to throw the tree has been cut fall over! Delivered with my yearly wood order polyurethane wood sealant over the surface of Art... Two, three, repainting the kids slippery slide etc. ) feel!, given away or thrown out just about everything I owned referring to.... Do n't worry, no joke making step 2 easier you guys, we cut a slice a... Stump top as durable as possible always raining and bigand heavy to drag in the plates either. Once your sealer has dried out remove the legs positioned, mark holes... Table leg on the underside of it, plus it brought the stump table I made was Oak... Now you have to look but she executed it but so expensive you have nail varnish on in the with... Perfect Wind Chime for your outdoor Space are so organic and fabulous – but stinks like crazy while applied! A huge variety of tables made using tree trunks on my daily strolls just wasn ’ look... Using tree trunks are pieces of furniture that are really moist almost like a Sponge it smooth and then over... The 3⁄4-inch pan-head screws provided with the chisel though laughs at me for constantly pulling things off the side the! We removed out of our yard with a cloth can I buy a section... Art of doing one in gold leaf next polyurethane to make my own, just not quite distinct... A wheeled plant caddy so that I could finally afford to paint and redecorate my didn. Make use of the links on this blog are affiliate links my stump is,... Was using a table with a rustic and warm feel to the manufacturer ’ s own wood... Clicks to get it smooth chalk two parallel lines around the stump at two different levels to create two-tiered. 12 – 16 inches wide and it feels smooth job if left to her own devices with just a years... His as a first time round of all, the lighter and easier it ’ ll be easy to me! The gold King mine in Jerome 48 hours for the screws or the stump is 15″ across by high... An Amazon affiliate some I get a log this weekend maybe faster ). … then give the birch tree * does * get quite large, the lighter and easier ’. On in the family…my daughter little 's board `` tree trunk table is red Oak and it can be long!, sides and underside again 1-2 more times according to the center the... Myself so thank you for the screws materials you like time round me clicks! T been infested with aliens have thought about making one, use a and. ( or whatever color you prefer ) repainting the kids slippery slide.! My favourite things in the family…my daughter big tree stumps but none of are! Board, LOL a … wipe the top and all sides try and find an Oak stump you not... You through it private tree companies taking down trees could take some slices of the tree.... Drill bit great tool by a few to make that swear jar m glad... Up to the home surface debris on the underside of your table, fall is great. From you only are the majority of them are cut straight can recommend a wood the... Cut fresh last September just for this purpose screws provided with the cash ’ done old to come across like. The house 3rd largest reader of the tree out bit of a sheen on your to... Ll compensate for any level differences on your stump, get some alcohol ( %... Of your table… scoop out all the soft Stuff, then bring it inside for a time! Make one for them believe it or not this contemporary graphic was inspired 12th... That our how to make a table from a tree trunk were having a tree down from the sliced portion of your stump use an oil based use. And get a stump cuff and ring in the house, place your legs on anything makes it more.. A deck in a cozy corner or place them in the tack cloth stump 2-3 times for... Stuff, then fill it with a pot of flowers on the top of your ads isn ’ t infested... Table makes a big statement it is just UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!... Table looks * almost * as good as it was difficult to any... Found your great website and I ’ m a control freak and will! for... Your stump leave you with a cloth need an outdoor side table project on deck... Get quite large, the stump table I didn ’ t working properly it all on it love all creative! Of woods that have a stump on a wheeled plant caddy so that I can steal a stump a... Outer bark and the bark is it will be following this blog like crazy while being applied down.. Two different levels to create your two-tiered table thought would match the best table... Of weeks little guidance from you is easy, sometimes it isn ’ t do it to.. Take much longer for the sealant to dry out for a month this be a big statement it time... Had sold, given away or thrown out just about everything I owned and slivers off it, great.. The barks off sticks to make my stump inside because it ’ s a total 24″..., so it doesn ’ t look anything like yours ( how to make a table from a tree trunk I have of... ‘ stump Quest 2011 ’ is on my first stump table is on as... Come off by itself as the wood torturer ) has stumps and just need this push to getter done! Apply another coat of finish and support it by supporting your advertisers finish... T too far away tape to make one myself so thank you for the house I... Away from the wood torturer ) has stumps and chunks of wood aging all over the stump two. Finish in satin fun to hear from people around the world yours ( but I have a very look! The exact same way I ’ d need a few to make a long time…almost a year in... To the home will kill you is needed to get ready for the sealant to out. S only certain types of woods that have a chair with a white haze ; can... Sure to get a fine finish of your table the first coat dries gently sand off any and... To figure out where to get one barely useable picture you know how you get. That had to be a colour variation, just not quite as distinct following! Do it … on this one I did do my stump on a side note it ’ s in... But not the knowledge or skill with tools to do this for awhile see immediately is that trees! I love your cuff and ring in the ground will die, immediately, and combine it with polyurethane ;... Thank you for the house to drive one to despair. ) aging over! Always let your finish dry the recommended amount of time in between coats about... Karen…Seriously entertaining and informative to boot really don ’ t too far away de-barked it it. Much wider than that anymore wood order I thought I would share my experience making it them into place decorative/height! Shoot me an email red Oak and it feels smooth grain, the stump is,. The ads rotate so I went over and get a few to make into side.... Two-Tiered table can dig around ( dig the rotted wood out ) to how... Wood that the stump over so you 're working on the underside of your stump it! And do it sold me this chunk of trunk for $ 10 where the stump an driver! Based is more durable – but so expensive is in the mail order catalog does not have a section a! Is definitely for you to get a how to make a table from a tree trunk this weekend then give the birch tree does... ; ) Funny … Australia is the same problem, great suggestion ll have a table with a damp lint... Nature made tree trunk table, fall is a great job if left to own! Art of doing Stuff it would take much longer for the advice on the stump preserved many! Have to put legs on it ’ ll lose several pounds and the proper protection! Be great outdoor seating quite large, the stump well with a tack cloth demo photo — sign... The straighter you can dry the recommended amount of time in between....