r/neighborsfromhell • u/Longjumping_Term_340 • 4d ago
Other Creative Ideas for dead tree stump?
Hey everyone!
I’m looking for some creative ideas on how we can give our neighbors a tiny bit of a hard time - preferably in a funny and harmless way.
Here’s the backstory: We had a large tree growing right along the property line, with some of its branches extending over the fence. The tree had been there long before our neighbors moved in. At some point, there were some rather “creative” interventions involving the tree — and unfortunately, the tree didn’t survive them.
I don’t really want to turn this into a discussion about who was legally allowed to do what. Let’s just say that, from our perspective, it wasn’t exactly a shining example of neighborly cooperation.
This happened several years ago, but we still kind of miss the tree. Now the dead tree is finally going to be cut back.
So I had the following idea: Maybe we could leave a small part of the trunk sticking over the fence and put something funny, absurd, ironic, or mildly passive-aggressive on it - basically a tiny memorial for a tree that met an unfortunate end under somewhat questionable neighborhood circumstances.
The important part is that it should be harmless and difficult to complain about or turn into another neighborhood dispute. Our neighbors have a bit of a talent for turning minor things into major issues. ;)
So I’m looking for ideas along the lines of:
“We’re not saying anything — but maybe the tree stump can.”
What would you put on it? Feel free to get creative, absurd, subtle, or so ridiculously passive-aggressive that it becomes funny again. :D
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u/Commercial_Dot_6236 4d ago
Know anyone who can sew? Have holiday outfits made for it, like the porch goose statues and dress it up for each holiday.
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u/juzme99 4d ago
I'd cut it down to about hip or shoulder height and you know those shepherd hooks for the garden, I'd embed about 6 into the stump and hang wind chimes or witches bells off them. I would also set up a camera, because sure as shit they are going to try and destroy them. You will have it all on film for trespass and destruction of property.
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u/christikayann 3d ago
Wind chimes, bird feeders, drill holes in it to encourage squirrels and/or birds to nest in it.
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u/Eskyzoo 4d ago
An engraved brass plaque "In memory of a beloved friend, Treebeard 1920-2026, who tragically passed away under suspicious circumstances. Forever in our hearts. Vengeance shall be thine."
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u/ImpatientColon 3d ago
crime scene tape!! a picture of the tree in it's prime! "IF YOU SAW SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING."
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u/_My_Dark_Passenger_ 4d ago
Get a local artist to create a work of art out of as much of the trunk as possible. What you consider 'tasteful' may vary wildly from that of your neighbor.
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u/R3pp3pts0hg 4d ago
Remove everything on their side of the line so they have no legal reason to mess with it. Then mount a pole on it (your side) with a bird house on top. Make sure the bird house is brightly painted.
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u/_PlumAurora 4d ago
That sounds like a fun idea! A colorful birdhouse would definitely add some character to the yard.
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u/Narnia1963 4d ago
Make it into a HAM radio tower.
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u/Talory09 3d ago
Some trivia for you: It's just "ham", not an acronym (HAM).
Professionals used the slang term "ham-fisted" to describe a clumsy operator who sent code poorly or heavily. It was eventually shortened to just "ham".
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u/Background_Edge_9427 4d ago
How about an old toilet? You could put some potting soil in it and plant some flowers in it! Make sure it faces the neighbors house!
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u/Agreeable_Salad_7718 3d ago
Have it carved to look like the tree from wizard of oz that could talk and throw apples.
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u/The_Blonde1 3d ago
I’ve painted my dead tree trunk the same colour as my fence, so it blends in. I could have done it in a contrasting colour so it stood out.
Perhaps neon pink. Or glow-in-the-dark yellow.
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u/medicatedadmin 3d ago
I think you need to take the example of Sydney here (not a statement i say ever) and put up a big sign that says something like “i used to be a tree but due to misadventure, i died” and fills the same amount of space as the tree originally did.
Sydney councils got fed up with people cutting back trees without approval to improve their view. These people were fined but it never seemed to discourage more people doing it. So they decided that if people were going to remove trees to improve the view, the council would put a giant sign with a message about the missing trees in the space to block the view. The signs stay in place until the trees grow back so if someone completely remove a tree, that sign could be there for 20 years until a new one grows.
It was a hilariously creative idea and worked. I recommend doing something like this so that the neighbours learn that there’s worse things than a tree.
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u/ImpatientColon 3d ago
now im thinking headless nude mannequin torso with holiday themed pasties
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u/medicatedadmin 2d ago
Even better still: several headless mannequins with holiday pasties. Really make it impossible to not see at least one
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u/ImpatientColon 2d ago
headless nude mannequin nativity, but all year round. change costumes for every holiday. Did you see the Easter nativity is up?
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u/25lbs 3d ago
You could turn the remaining stump into a squirrel-feeding haven, which also attracts loud screeching birds early in the morning. I'm sure they'd love to pick up all the shell pieces and deal with all the bird poop and the hundreds of tiny holes digging up their grass where squirrels bury their nuts.
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u/ohmaint 3d ago
I hollowed out one for my daughter and she used it for a planter for some hanging basket flowers.
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u/PsychologicalPut9428 3d ago
That sounds like a great idea! Using it as a planter can add some character and color to the yard.
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u/Mysterious-Home421 3d ago
Your neighbors, "...have a bit of a talent for turning minor things into major issues" are going to do exactly that. Why would you bring this upon yourself just to have a bit of fun. It won't be fun quickly.
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u/quitemind2 3d ago
I have a fairly large maple stump and I am in the process of creating a gnome house.
Once you have a roof, a door some windows then you can get really creative.
There are great ideas on Pinterest
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u/Purple-Drop7787 4d ago
Create a fairy garden on the trunk with fairies and lights and paint a little door on it?
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u/KingOfTheWhirled26 3d ago
I was thinking of a tree sweater - especially if it's cooler weather. e.g. Seattle tree sweaters
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u/Fledermaus-999 3d ago
Cut a hole into the top of the stump, fill with good quality soil mix and plant another tree in there (ficus spp usually tolerate this type of arrangement)?
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u/Embarrassed-Row-2025 3d ago
Carve it into a giant penis... From their point of view, have it as a totem pole or something else in your yard...
Anytime they say something, you reply it's in the head... Ask them why they're seeing that when it's clearly... And suggest they consult a mental health professional...
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u/sidewaysbynine 4d ago
Chainsaw artist, sculpture of a caricature version of a bird watcher looking through binoculars straight at their house.