Tree Stump Bird Bath

Repurpose tree stumps into bird bath pedestals. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Tree Stump Bird Bath

Thanks to an infestation of emerald ash borers, I have had to cut down some of the ash trees on my Missouri limestone hillside garden.

Since I have several stumps I continue to trip over, I decided this time I would leave some of the tree stumps as short pedestals. While I considered what I could put on top of them, I have found lizards sunning themselves; squirrels eating nuts and, a couple of times, a hive tool I rested on the stump then forgot where I put it.

This time of year I have a lot of songbirds nesting around my garden so I decided to add a bird bath to one of the stump pedestals. The idea to attach a bird bath to one of these tree stumps was inspired by this make shift bee bar. It’s the green plastic pot bottom that has now sat on this old tree stump for a couple of years while providing nearby honey bee colonies with water.

This make shift bee bar inspired me to try a bird bath on another tree stump. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Since the destination tree stump was much smaller, I took inspiration from another garden item, this very old hanging bird bath.

The hanging birth bath has a wooden base and plastic shallow bowl that sits inside.

These hanging bird baths can easily be repurposed on tree stumps. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The hanging bird bath cost around $11. I made sure the plastic insert was tied down to the wooden part by wearing galvanized wire through the hanging holes.

Tie down the blue plastic birdbath to the bottom. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The galvanized wire was woven through the bottom and into the next plastic insert hole.

After wiring, don’t forget to level the bird bath. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The wooden piece was nailed into place before I wove the galvanized wire. Once the blue insert was tied down, the new bird bath was done.

Once weathered, the cedar surround will turn grey. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Now to find an interesting rock to place in the middle but it has to be small. Not sure birds will want to take a bath in something that takes up space!

Charlotte