Stump Pumpkin (log pumpkin)

Last year my friend spotted some really fun and rustic ‘stump pumpkins’ at Gardner Village in SLC. We decided that we could whip some up. After scouting around for logs or tree stumps, she found some perfect ones at the green waste part of our dump for $5 each. I later found a few in my sister’s firewood pile…for free (but don’t tell her husband 🙂 ).

A few great things about wood pumpkins: they don’t rot (well as fast) and no teenagers will be smashing your pumpkins!

Stump pumpkins are pretty simple and require minimal supplies, but you will need a chain saw. I was able to team up with my friends at Ryobi for a chainsaw for this project.

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Materials

tree stump
tree limb
orange paint
dark orange paint (optional)
green pain (optional)
Gorilla glue
sand paper

Tools

Chainsaw
Drill – optional or stump support
Sander – optional
Spray Shelter – optional

We made two different versions of the wood pumpkins. The first version is a simple chamfer pumpkin.

The second version adds ribs around the stump for a more detailed rustic pumpkin.

I’m still trying to decide which version I like better. Do you have a preference?

Here is a quick video tutorial on how to carve a stump pumpkin or log pumpkin.

Simple Chamfer Pumpkin Tutorial Summary

Use chainsaw to cut chamfer around the top and bottom of stump
Paint stump orange
Paint stem green (optional)
Glue stem onto stump with Gorilla Glue

All of the simple chamfer pumpkin pictures were taken at my friend’s cute house. My kid’s always ask me why we don’t have cool and scary decorations like her house! 🙂

DIY A-frame chalkboard plans found here.

Ribbed Stump Pumpkin Tutorial Summary

Use chainsaw to cut rib lines
Use chainsaw to cut chamfer around the top and bottom of stump
Use chainsaw to taper top and bottom of ribs
Use chainsaw to chamfer ribs
Paint stump orange (I would probably skip the paprika (dark orange color) next time, I don’t think it added much).