When Tree Stumps Become Art (10 Photos)

Tree stumps with a second life

Not every felled tree is ground down to nothing. In these ten examples, from Baltimore to Kensington Gardens, carvers turned the stump itself into faces, animals, a castle and a tiny village.

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🌳 Druid Hill Park Stump Sculpture — By Mark Acton in Baltimore, Maryland, USA 🇺🇸

Chainsaw artist Mark Acton turned this weathered stump into a druid-like figure, with the old roots still spreading into the park.

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsThe Green ManMark Acton · 2012 · Druid Hill Park, BaltimoreWest end of Druid LakeChainsaw carvingRed oak (Baltimore Sun)1The city cut the red oak down because of termite damage, so Acton had to hollow out the stump, according to the Baltimore Sun.Baltimore Sun2According to Baltimore Fishbowl, Acton was enlisted by the Friends of Druid Hill Park, and his first sculpture was inspired by the Green Man.Baltimore Fishbowl201228 NovBaltimore Fishbowl on the new carvings201220 DecBaltimore Sun, day before dedication201319 OctBlog photo of the fresh carving201610 Jul3D scan published201724 MarBaltimore Heritage photo201726 MarChuck Ditzler’s photosRead the full file →

Photo: Baltimore Heritage / Eli Pousson, Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).

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🧚 The Elfin Oak — By Ivor Innes in London, UK 🇬🇧

Illustrator Ivor Innes filled the old oak stump with tiny fairytale characters. It has been Grade II listed since 1997 and stands behind protective railings in Kensington Gardens.

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsThe Elfin OakIvor Innes · 1930 · Kensington Gardens, LondonUnveiled 25 July 1930Oak from Richmond ParkGrade II listed 19971Spike Milligan offered in 1964 to restore it free of charge, and later launched a campaign to raise £100,000 for a full restoration.The Royal Parks2According to The Royal Parks, 97 figurines were repaired in 2026 and the mesh lining was removed from the protective cage.The Royal Parks193010 JulArchive photo: Innes at work193025 JulUnveiled by the Mayoress199712 JunRestored oak unveiled199719 DecGrade II listed200421 JulCommons photo, camera date201123 OctFlickr photo, on Commons201414 JunGeograph photo, on Commons202119 OctCommons photo (our photo)202623 JanGeograph photo, plaque read20263 JunRoyal Parks: restored20263 JunLondonist reports repairsRead the full file →

Photo: Ethan Doyle White, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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🏰 Carved Stump at Lincoln Castle — Lincoln, UK 🇬🇧

The trunk becomes a small castle above a robed figure, while the flared base keeps the sculpture unmistakably rooted to the ground.

Photo: Craig.starbuck, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

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🦉 Owl Sculptures in a Tree Stump — Near Rufforth, UK 🇬🇧

Owls peer from carved openings in a tall roadside stump beside the cycle path between Knapton and Rufforth.

Photo: DS Pugh, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

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🗿 Tree Stump Statue — Madison, Wisconsin, USA 🇺🇸

The old trunk keeps its bark and broad base while a long face emerges from the wood above it.

Photo: Corey Coyle, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

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🐦 Port Sunlight River Park Stump Sculpture — Wirral, UK 🇬🇧

A long-necked bird rises from the stump, with the original lower trunk still visible beneath the carving.

Photo: Rept0n1x, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

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🪢 Tree Sculpture — Marlborough Avenue, Hull, UK 🇬🇧

Interlaced forms climb the pale wood. Along Marlborough Avenue, tree stumps were left in the ground and carved with dragons, mermaids, crosses and abstract designs.

Photo: Peter Church, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

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🐦 Carved Stump and Chickadees — Surrey, Canada 🇨🇦

A human face settles into the low stump while small chickadees perch around it in Tynehead Regional Park.

Photo: waferboard, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).

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🐇 Sculpted Tree Stump — South Yorkshire, UK 🇬🇧

A compact animal head rises from the cut trunk on the approach to Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley, with the stump itself still forming the body below.

Photo: Nigel Homer, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

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🏘️ Intricately Carved Tree Stump — Newnham on Severn, UK 🇬🇧

This chainsaw carving at the play area by Station Road covers the rooted stump with miniature buildings, windows and figures, turning its bark and broken edges into a small carved settlement.

Photo: Jonathan Billinger, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).