Tree Stump End Tables

DIY Tree Stump End Table: what wood to choose for tree stump end tables that will keep its bark, and not fall off as it dries, and how to paint them.

I’ve been wanting some tree stump end tables for ages. My problem has been that I live near the city, and don’t have access to things like trees and chainsaws anymore. There is a little place near my house though that sells firewood. One day I stopped in to see if they had any good stumps, and how much they’d be. I struck gold.

Materials:

• honey locust hardwood tree stumps
• sand paper
• primer that blocks heavy stains
• gloss white paint
• white felt 
• wood glue

How To Make Tree Stump End Tables

The guy who ran the place where I bought the wood was interested in my project, and when I told him I wanted the bark to stay on to add texture, he suggested some honey locust hard wood he had.  He said that honey locust was the only wood he knew of that kept its bark even after it’s dry.  Update:  after eight years the bark is still attached and looks great!

I went in for one stump, but the only thing better than one great stump is, of course, two. So I went for it and got two. He cut one to make it a little shorter for me, so I’d have two heights.

Next I headed to the hardware store and picked up a primer designed to cover the natural wood tannins, and some gloss white paint.

After letting them the wood dry out a bit for a few weeks, I sanded the tops of the them smooth, with some sandpaper.  Next I primed and painted them.

I also covered the bottom of the tree stumps with some white felt to help protect the floors from any scratches.

I love, love, love how they turned out. They’re even cooler than the West Elm version.

I set them up as little tables in my dining room, and love how they look with our woodland theme for Christmas. Perhaps after Christmas I’ll move them into the living room, or family room as a coffee table.

With my DIY tree stump end tables, life is really a party!

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