From the Garden

California's seemingly endless drought has not been kind to local gardeners. As if water restrictions and golden lawns weren't bad enough, many gardeners had to bid a fond farewell to a favorite tree or two that just didn't get enough water. But leave it to local gardeners to find beauty in a dead tree or stump.

Before discussing artful ways to enhance that dead tree or stump in your yard or garden, a word of caution. A dead tree that is not a danger to people or a structure on your property can be left where it is. It's important to note, however, that limbs from dead trees may eventually fall onto your house, car, a person, or neighbor's house, so take that into consideration when deciding whether to keep or remove it. Any trees that may fall on your home (or a neighbor's home) should be removed. And never allow dead wood to rest against your home.

That being said, trees can go on “living” even after they are dead. As is, dead trees can still provide vital habitat for all kinds of species, according to the National Wildlife Federation. It may look like a dead tree to you, but birds, bugs, and other creatures will make it a home because it will offer protective cover and a place for raising offspring. Woodpeckers and songbirds may perch on dead trees, and overwintering butterflies will also take refuge in the crevices and cracks.

There is even a name for dead trees that are left upright to decompose naturally. They are known as snags.

Dead trees and stumps can add beauty and even whimsy to a home garden. Use your imagination to create your own yard art from that dead tree in your yard or garden. Here are a few suggestions:

Tree trunks as planters: Plant right inside the rotted out stumps or hollow them out to hold pots that you can change throughout the season.

Decorate it: If it's safe to keep the tree where it is, turn it into yard art by painting the entire tree with one or many colors or hang colored lights or other decorations from it.

Feed the birds on a stump:A trunk cross-section can be used as a seed platform for ground-feeding birds like Mourning Doves. The platform prevents spilled seeds from germinating in your garden bed or lawn. Be sure to drill holes so rainwater can drain off. 

Hanging bird feeder: Create a hanging feeder with a small branch. Put a nail through it and hang it from a branch. Drill three holes around the outside edge and attach short lengths of chain to hang it with. You can even nail apples or oranges on a branch for the fruit-loving birds to eat.

Birdbath: Hollow a shallow indentation into a stump or a big section of trunk with a hammer and chisel. Let it dry then seal with a layer of concrete. Allow it to cure before filling with water as a birdbath.

Pathways: Use cut sections of the trunk to create a garden pathway.

Build a seat: Leave the tree stump where it is and carve it into a seat.

Make a funny face:Make a whimsical "face" with a cross section of trunk, adding small pieces of other trees or yard material as facial features.

Create art: Carve the stump or a large section of the trunk into a sculpture, releasing the “art” inside the wood.

Fairy Garden House: Turn your tree stump into a whimsical fairy garden house.

These are just a few suggestions. Just because a tree dies doesn't mean we have to discard it. Use your creativity and think of ways that you can give your tree a new life in your home and garden.