What happens to tree stumps in Don't Starve?

When cutting trees in Don't Starve I don't want to reach a point in the game where my world is terrible and flat, without any trees in it. I usually leave the stumps and use the pine cones to build a forest around my own camp (to protect it, and the pigmen in it)

What happens to the stumps left behind after cutting a tree? Does a tree eventually grow from those stumps, or should I dig out the tree and plant a new one instead? I know the latter is more efficient but it also leaves me with less pine cones.

Solution 1:

Stumps do not regrow, your only option is to plant pine cones to replace them. If left they will simply remain as an obstacle on the map until you dig them up with a shovel or burn them.

Solution 2:

Aside from digging a stump with 1 use of a shovel, which would get you just 1 log, you can set the stump on fire and get 1 ash instead. That can save you a lot of time, but be sure to control the fire by first digging out the stumps in a desired perimeter. Wind will blow away an ash pile after 20 seconds of it lying on the ground.

Or don't bother limiting the fire zone and just set the world on fire to get some additional burned trees, each of which get you 1 charcoal and an occasional pinecone for just 1 axe hit.

Solution 3:

As far as I can tell, nothing happens to a stump over time. As you pointed out, you can remove stumps by digging them up with a shovel.