I think the best plant to climb up your tall stump would be a clematis - or several clematis. Be sure to plant the clematis on the north or shaded side of the stump digging a large hole at least 3 feet wide and removing any thick ree roots. Clematis like lots of organic matter in the planting hole and a mulch on top to seal in moisture. A fast grower like purple 'Polish Spirit' clematis or violet 'Jackmani' clematis will climb the stump in just a few years. You can also add an evergreen vine like small leaved variegated ivy to the front of the stump. The clematis will head toward the sun and grow up the same side of the stump as the ivy using the ivy for support. Do not use the aggressive English Ivy. I have clematis growing through ivy on my own ivy covered gazebo and I do need to trim the ivy each year and the clematis gets a dose of Osmocote plant food in the spring, some extra water if there is a summer drought and I prune the clematis vines back in early spring if they become too tall. You can even set a birdhouse on top of the stump as a garden focal point. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti P.S. To honor the WSU Cougars there is also a newer clematis with cardinal red petals called 'Rebecca'. Add some gray Dusty Miller at the base. Cougar colors!