Description

5 Tips for Building the Ultimate Tree House

1. Allow the Trees to Grow

Trees grow and trees move in the wind. They’ll move togetherandapart and sideways—you have to allow for that movement. Thetreeswill win in that struggle. If you’re creating a tree housethatconnects to more than one tree, bolt the tree house to thelargesttree. Every other connection should use “floating brackets,”whichmove without being encumbered by the house.
2. Limit the Number of Holes in the Tree

That limits the amount of pathogens or funguses that can makethetree sick. Keep the penetrations about 18 inches away fromeachother and never situated in a straight line, which can causetheholes to grow together into a single, damaging wound.
3. Don’t Put Wood Against the Tree

If you have wood against the tree, that connection willcatchwater and the beams will rot. Try to keep the beams aboutthree tofour inches away from the tree using a TAB (tree-houseattachmentbolt).
4. Build for the Future

Think about how long you’re going to use the tree house andaddfive years to it. Then build with that time frame in mind asyouallocate space for growth. Depending on the scope of theproject,make the house adult size. The kids will leave someday, andthenyou’ll still have it in the tree.
5. Use Your Imagination.

We build a lot of climbing walls on tree houses. We onceevenbuilt a Japanese soaking tub in a tree house. Ziplines,customslides, portholes in the floor are also fun. (For the latter,carveout a hole and put heavy duty glass in the floor so you canlookstraight at the ground.) Have fun with the materials too.Think:salvaged lumber, sticks, branches. If you remove limbs fromthetree, keep them to use for railings. Allowing your imaginationtorun wild is what building a tree house is all about.