Tree Stump discussion

[RichardKing]

Looks very contrived.
Just leave woodlands alone & stop attempting to garden them.

[splodger]

we have many old stumps, roots, decaying stools etc in our wood - many have been lifted - and we spread them all over the wood - they are a great habitat for toads (we have a very healthy toad population) - other creatures use them too - so they are great wildlife habitat

we have also sold them - and they can fetch good money (for the right size/shape etc)

we have a couple of huge ones - and they are long term projects (massive chairs)

[splodger]

doubt very much that root stumps would be stable enough for hives to sit on

ocp - most of our root stumps are small enough to handle - for larger ones we have to rely on chain blocks (engine lifters) as we don't have a tractor

lots of people buy them - sculptors, furniture makers, gardeners as examples

for us - cleaning them is extremely time consuming (soil is sand on gravel - and the gravel gets everywhere - so can't use a saw on them)

attractive small pieces make great table decorations or pieces of natural art (for indoors) larger pieces for furniture and/or garden features - all of our roots / stumps are chestnut - and we have some stunners (sorry no pics)

[Binz]

woodturners may also be interested in them to turn shallow bowls and I've seen slices made into wall clocks too. Take a visit to a decent size craft fair and see what poeple are doing; and you may even find someone there to buy them. Also contact woodworking clubs and maybe florists too. Clean up with power washer (from distance)and wire brush, but protect your eyes from the flying soil etc

[Rich]

for us - cleaning them is extremely time consuming (soil is sand on gravel - and the gravel gets everywhere - so can't use a saw on them)

I think you can get them sand blasted professionally, obviously saves alot of time. One of our members sold a few to flower arrangers out the woodfair.

[Rich]

Yes, its amazing the cash bored ladies will part with to win a prize at the village show for their floral arrangement.

I think he sold them to bored 'man'!

[Alex]

Some people have no idea, £200 for a bit of fancy looking wood washed up on the coast!

[Terry]

Hi OCP

Have seen some stunning tables made from roots turned upside down.
Big and hefty which made them stable enough stood on the end of the trunk and a glass top supported by the roots.
No doubt a fair bit of work went into them to level off sufficient supporting points for the top, but they did look good.
No pics unfortunately

[Chunkymunky]

If any of you watch Saturday morning kitchen the table they sit at is actually made of a tree stump. Looks amazing. Very random and twisted.

For wood turning it would need a good seasoning time due to the thickness of the main body within the centre. The heart wood is valued for turning because its very dark and hard and interesting.

Any larger ones I would power wash and store upside down in a cool dry place. Give it a couple of years and a very light sand blast or even just a straight varnish and polish could be interesting.

[Chunkymunky]

Found this picture.

Seems a great idea. I always remember the chap on grand designs who used a particularly large tree stump as the base to a staircase in his hexagonal oak frame house.