How to Cover a Tree Stump

Using a measuring tape, measure the circumference of your tree stump, and then divide the number by 18 or 24. This gives you the number of English ivy plant cuttings you need. If your stump has a circumference of 4 feet, for instance, you would need two or three cuttings.

Locate the nodes, areas where the leaf and stem join, on an existing English ivy plant. Using pruning shears, pinch or cut underneath the plant nodes to get your ivy plant cuttings.

Place the ivy cuttings into a container of water, then put the container on a sunny windowsill.

When you see the formation of roots, transplant the English ivy cuttings by planting 2/3 of the bottom stems beneath the soil. Space the cuttings 18 to 24 inches apart around the tree stump. The English ivy will cling to the stump by its aerial rootlets and climb, using the stump as support, and growing around 3 feet during the first year.

Control the growth of the vine if necessary by cutting it a foot above the ground. This will cut down the size of the ivy dramatically and cause the new growth to branch out.