Making a seat from an oak stump

[Skobie]

Technically, garage-related, since the oak stump is near my garage (tree felled for garage project). It's on the edge of a little patio and I'm looking to turn the huge stump into a seat (its at a good height and plenty big - over 100 rings on the oak) but I'd like the top (end grain, I guess), with something that will allow it to stay dry and be wiped clean. I have NO idea how to proceed. Varnish? Polyurethane? Clear paint? Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Mustang51js]

Think you need to seal it then polyurethane. But you may have to store it so it drys out and doesn't discolor

 

[G_P]

The wood has to be dry before you can do any kind of finishing of it. If the tree was live when it was cut down the stump will likely start sprouting new saplings which would kinda ruin any plans to make furniture from it.

If its already dead and dry you can carve out your seat and then seal it with a good outdoor varnish.

 

[Skobie]

OP here. To clarify:
Stump is from a dead tree - totally dead.
Stump is still in ground and was (purposely) cut off at seat height.
I'm doing no carving - it'll be just a flat, horizontal surface.

 

[G_P]

OP here. To clarify:
Stump is from a dead tree - totally dead.
Stump is still in ground and was (purposely) cut off at seat height.
I'm doing no carving - it'll be just a flat, horizontal surface.

Strip off any remaining bark, remove any loose splinters/etc and seal it good with outdoor varnish.

Probably not a bad Idea to put some ant and termite killer around it or it will eventually become a nest.

 

[wnstwolf]

A few copper nails in it will make sure it stays dead.

 

[48fordnut]

copper nails will kill a tree?

 

[Spareparts]

When we prune trees at the golf course we use a aerosol can of sealer on the cut. This stuff is sold under the Spectricide brand name and looks, feels, and smells just like bed liner. What about spraying 2-3 coats of bed liner on it to seal it up.

 

[Angelfire]

The key here is to finish it with something that can be re-finished easily. Don't use polyurethane. Go with an oil based varnish and make sure it's formulated to be simply re-applied when needed vs. stripping the previous layer. In saying that, many of the waterbased products out there are starting to get some good performance. Personally, I'd go with a Marine Varnish as it should last longer than most....although if you have heavy UV, I'd think this will turn into a yearly application.

 

[Krodad]

Any single component coating you put on it will degrade and yellow. probably look bad in a short amount of time. If you want to keep it natural looking, just flood it with a clear acrylic penetrating sealer (like for siding or decks) or you could even go with a pigmented version either now or years from now as it will probably start to gray before too long.

I don't understand if this stump is still on the roots or if it's actually cut off and mobile. If it's still "in the ground" I'd consider cutting it at the ground and then wherever you want it at least set it on some kind of draining base like crushed limestone which packs well and gives a solid base as well. Stump in the ground is going to rot out eventually dependent on the conditions. Maybe not before you're gone but it might be something the grandkids want to pass along and tell stories about their grandad.

 

[rippered]

Here is your next project.....

 

[Lippyp]

Loving that bench, I've got a fallen over sweet chestnut that would make a nice bench like the one above but you'd need a big chainsaw to carve it as its 5' in diameter!

 

[ctb]

Teak oil is the easiest to apply and is used on outdoor patio furniture. When the surface starts to dry just re-apply.

 

[rsanter]

Linseed oil like from the big box store
Used on wood roofs to preserve them
Reapply every year or,so

Bob

 

[Inventive1]

It would be a good idea to make sure the top has a slight slope, so rain water will run off rather than puddle on it.

How long it will last will depend on what kind of oak tree. Some oaks will last for many years outdoors, other oaks will rot much faster.

Tinted paint will usually last longer than clear finishes. A colored stump would obviously look much different though!

 

[wnstwolf]

I thought the copper nail in a tree to kill it was an old mountain lore and nonsense. then a terrible golfer friend of mine, who hit the same tree every weekend said he will get revenge on that tree someday. Seems on one of the rounds he actually drove a bunch of copper roofing nails in that tree in sort of a ring pattern. Three years later tree was gone but have to say dude is still a terrible golfer and now has to live with us always wanting to turn him in for killing a perfectly nice tree!

Reminded of this over the weekend when mother nature took down the Eisenhower tree on the 17th at Augusta...

 

[pauls_workshop]

Agree with the posts above - do not use a polyurethane. That will eventually crack and flake off and look pretty bad. Much better are oil based finishes, like Tung Oil or Linseed Oil or oil based varnish. The Sealer idea isn't terrible either but not as tough as the other options above. - Paul

 

[onewaydave]

Hummm.

1. No pics.
2. Unsure what you are talking about.
3. If you want to make a stump seat of a tree stump that remains after cutting the tree, ie. the stump and roots are still in the ground, you are at the mercy of Mom. Mother nature will determine how long it will last and what will rot no matter what you do to try to prevent that.
4. If you are referring to removing the stump to another location, then you should look to preserve the wood as if you were planning to harvest it as lumber. Seal the ends and let it dry in a cool dry environment for a gizillion years. Well almost.
5. If still in ground, you might consider a cover to prevent moisture (rot) from coming in the roots. It won't work but it feels good to try.
6. Sorry to be the negative voice here, but I've tried this from both views.

Dave.

 

[RivennHewn]

PEG.
http://www.rockler.com/polyethylene-glycol-peg-green-wood-stabilizer

Followed by Epoxy coat on the end grain surfaces.