Beginner map

Tree Stump

Info

Tree Stump is one of the original Beginner maps from BTD6's launch, and it was featured in the game's original trailer. It is set in an autumn forest, with patches of fallen leaves on the grass and a huge tree stump in the middle of the track that gives the map its name. It is one of the Beginner maps always pinned near the front of the map menu.

Bloons follow a single winding path around the stump, with one entrance and one exit. At 44.27 RBS (about 1,217 range units) it is an average length for a Beginner map, very close to In The Loop, the other autumn-themed Beginner map.

Tree Stump was the first map to include objects that block line of sight, and it is one of the few maps with natural high ground. The stump in the centre is the high ground: a tower placed on top of it ignores obstacles, so a Sniper Monkey on the stump can see the whole track. The catch is that towers not on the stump cannot see through it, so the stump itself acts as a blocker for everything else. Large logs at the top left, bottom left and right of the map also block line of sight.

There is no water on Tree Stump, so water towers need a Portable Lake or Pontoon. There are no removable objects. Tapping the axe on the bottom-right logs or the mushrooms makes them shake, which is cosmetic.

The spaces between the logs are roomy, so the stump is helpful but not essential. Many towers and upgrades ignore line of sight completely, including Alchemists, Spike Factories, Heli Pilots, Monkey Aces, Mortars, a Wizard with Guided Magic and the hero Psi, and support buffs are not blocked either. Tree Stump plays a lot like Park Path, which shares its wide curves and open grass.

How to beat Tree Stump

Map overview for strategy

The basic plan on Tree Stump is simple: put the towers that need vision on the stump, and put towers that do not care about vision on the grass. The stump has limited space, so save it for the towers that benefit most, such as a Sniper, a Super Monkey, or a Tack Shooter at Blade Shooter, which can use all of its blades from the centre.

You do not have to use the stump to win. The areas between the logs are big enough for most strategies, and vision-blocked towers still work off the stump, just with less uptime. The important thing is to check each tower's range circle so you know which parts of the track a log or the stump hides.

A good rule of thumb: the stump is prime real estate, so do not fill it with cheap towers early and then have no room for your late-game anchor. Start with a Dart Monkey or a small Tack there if you need it, but plan for a Sniper or Super Monkey to take the best spot later. Everything that ignores vision, such as Alchemists, Mortars, Spike Factories, Heli Pilots and Villages, should go on the grass so it does not waste space on the stump.

Best towers

Sniper Monkey 4-0-2 or 2-0-4 on the stump, where it sees the whole track.
Tack Shooter 2-3-0 or 0-3-2 (Blade Shooter) on the stump for group popping.
Super Monkey on the stump later.
Ninja Monkey 4-0-1 and 2-0-4 beside the path.
Alchemist 4-2-0: potions are not blocked by logs.
Mortar Monkey, Heli Pilot and Monkey Ace: all ignore line of sight.
Spike Factory 2-0-5 (Perma-Spike) near the exit.
Monkey Village 2-2-0.

Best heroes

Psi: his attacks ignore line of sight, which is perfect for this map.
Quincy: cheap and reliable.
Striker Jones: great with Mortars and Bomb Shooters.
Obyn Greenfoot: good with a magic build.

Easy and Medium

Put a Dart Monkey or Tack Shooter on the stump and Quincy nearby. Add a Ninja for camo and a Mortar for leads. Fill the open grass with Banana Farms. A 4-0-1 Ninja and a Sniper on the stump win Medium.

Hard

Farm three Banana Farms. Build a Ninja and Alchemist beside the busiest stretch, a Tack or Sniper on the stump and a 2-2-0 Village. Add a Heli Pilot or Sticky Bombs for MOABs and a Perma-Spike near the exit.

CHIMPS

Rounds 1 to 6: hero beside the path and a Dart Monkey on the stump.
Rounds 7 to 18: a Ninja beside the busiest stretch, upgraded to 2-0-1 before round 24.
Rounds 19 to 30: an Alchemist next to the Ninja for the round 28 leads.
Rounds 31 to 45: Ninja to 4-0-1, Alchemist to 3-2-0. A Sniper on the stump towards 2-0-4 or 4-0-2.
Rounds 46 to 63: a 2-2-0 Village, a 4-2-0 Glaive, and a Sticky Bomb Ninja by round 60.
Rounds 64 to 80: Alchemist to 4-2-0, a Heli Pilot towards Apache Dartship, and a Spike Factory near the exit.
Rounds 81 to 100: a Sun Temple on the stump or an Apache Prime, plus more Sticky Bombs for 98 to 100.

Impoppable

Plenty of open grass means easy farming. Follow the CHIMPS core and use the stump for your most vision-dependent towers.

Other modes

Military Only: Snipers on the stump, Mortars, Heli Pilots and Aces anywhere.
Deflation: Ninja, Alchemist and a stump Sniper.
Half Cash: the open grass gives plenty of farm space.

Dangerous rounds on this map

Round 24: one camo green. Check your camo tower is not blocked by a log.
Round 28: six leads. Mortars and Alchemists handle them regardless of logs.
Round 40: the first MOAB.
Round 63: 122 dense ceramics. Logs can hide part of the rush from your towers.
Round 76: 60 regrow ceramics.
Round 78: camo ceramics and purples. Purples resist fire, energy and plasma.
Round 95: camo regrow purples and fortified leads, then MOABs and DDTs.
Round 98: 30 fortified BFBs and 8 ZOMGs.
Round 99: 60 MOABs and 9 fortified DDTs.
Round 100: one BAD that ignores slows.

The BTD6 Master YouTube channel has video guides for Tree Stump.

Frequently asked questions

What does the tree stump do on Tree Stump?

It is high ground. Towers placed on it can see the whole track over the logs. Towers not on it cannot see through it.

Which towers ignore line of sight on Tree Stump?

Alchemists, Spike Factories, Heli Pilots, Monkey Aces, Mortars, Wizards with Guided Magic and Psi.

What is the best tower to put on the stump?

A Sniper Monkey, since it can see the whole track from there. A Blade Shooter Tack is another good choice.

Does Tree Stump have water?

No. You need a Portable Lake or Pontoon power.

How much Monkey Money does Tree Stump give?

First-time medals pay 75, 125, 200 and 300 Monkey Money for the Easy, Medium, Hard and Impoppable/CHIMPS tiers. Replays pay one fifth.

What is the best hero for Tree Stump?

Psi, because his attacks ignore line of sight. Quincy and Striker Jones are also strong picks.

How do you beat Tree Stump CHIMPS?

Build a Ninja and Alchemist beside the path, a Sniper on the stump, then a Village, Glaive, Sticky Bombs and a Heli Pilot. Finish with a Sun Temple on the stump or Apache Prime.