Tree Houses
Thread Starter
I don't have a Ferrari in
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Tree Houses
Not sure if this belongs in the Home and Garden, but here goes. Has anyone had experience building a tree house? I am looking to build one with an enclosed roof and enclosed sidings. If so, what kind of tree should I be looking for. I've heard that you need trees with V shaped branches. I have some plans drawn up, I just don't know how to set it up on top of the tree. It'd be great as a shed. I have enough woodwork and craft experience to build it, I am not exactly certain how to go about selecting a tree and how to mount it.
This is sort of just a project that I've always wanted as a kid. I am planning to put a TV, minifridge and a sofa in there. I understand that it might be too heavy, so we'll have to see how that works out. So if you have any experience in building one, it'd be greatly appreciated.
I'm sure there are some awesome engineers and architects here. And I know that deep down, many of you always wanted a tree house of your own
This is sort of just a project that I've always wanted as a kid. I am planning to put a TV, minifridge and a sofa in there. I understand that it might be too heavy, so we'll have to see how that works out. So if you have any experience in building one, it'd be greatly appreciated.
I'm sure there are some awesome engineers and architects here. And I know that deep down, many of you always wanted a tree house of your own
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 39
From: Virginia
Wow, sounds like a home and garden post, but here goes.
Anyone can nail boards to a tree, but the real question is will it be level, sturdy, and above all, safe. If you nail into a tree haphazardly, you leave it open for rot, insects, and death. And no, you dont need a tree with V trunks, but it does help with stability.
Check for codes in your neighborhood or county, some don't allow the building of tree houses, or have certain limits on height, stories, total square footage, what type of tree you can use, and distance from the road for asthetics.
Your gonna need a healthy tree. Look for rot/decay, insect infestation, etc.
Even with wood working experience, it might not hurt to run the plans by someone who knows a little about engineering.
You're gonna need to build this treehouse on a sturdy base, preferably on 2x6 or better. I would space the floor joist no further than 16in on center. The subframe is going to need to be anchored securly in the trunk(s) with bolts to hold the weight, and it's going to have to be centered to balance the weight of the whole treehouse.
From there, it should be straight forward, plywood subfloor with walls, not unlike a big shed.
I've only help build one, and i did the floor plan for it. We did it on a big oak, and the hardest part was building the base of it. We had to notch slightly in the tree to get the joists in place. We used anchor bolts and crossbraces to hold the weight.
If you still wanna do it, look online for projects like this. I've seen them out there.
Good luck, I wish I had a treehouse!
Anyone can nail boards to a tree, but the real question is will it be level, sturdy, and above all, safe. If you nail into a tree haphazardly, you leave it open for rot, insects, and death. And no, you dont need a tree with V trunks, but it does help with stability.
Check for codes in your neighborhood or county, some don't allow the building of tree houses, or have certain limits on height, stories, total square footage, what type of tree you can use, and distance from the road for asthetics.
Your gonna need a healthy tree. Look for rot/decay, insect infestation, etc.
Even with wood working experience, it might not hurt to run the plans by someone who knows a little about engineering.
You're gonna need to build this treehouse on a sturdy base, preferably on 2x6 or better. I would space the floor joist no further than 16in on center. The subframe is going to need to be anchored securly in the trunk(s) with bolts to hold the weight, and it's going to have to be centered to balance the weight of the whole treehouse.
From there, it should be straight forward, plywood subfloor with walls, not unlike a big shed.
I've only help build one, and i did the floor plan for it. We did it on a big oak, and the hardest part was building the base of it. We had to notch slightly in the tree to get the joists in place. We used anchor bolts and crossbraces to hold the weight.
If you still wanna do it, look online for projects like this. I've seen them out there.
Good luck, I wish I had a treehouse!
The Creator
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 37,950
Likes: 8
From: Albany, NY
most of the tree house plans i see these days aren't actually supported by the tree. they usually sit on posts/stilts, and just kind of hug the tree. it's been awhile since i've seen a treehouse that was elevated entirely by the tree.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,438
Likes: 1
Word to what soopa said. When my friend moved into his new house we kinda fudged a treehouse into a tree, about 15 feet up. It was a lot of fun as we just progressivly worked on it and nobody cared as it was in the woods.
Now, in terms of anchoring it to a tree, you are going to want to use more than just nails. We used those huge self tapping bolts from home depot, but Ideally you may want to drill through and put a threaded rod in. You will also need to seal it with something like silicon or great stuff to prevent rotting.
Based off the size of structure you want you will probably need additional supports. Whether you choose to use stilts, or to angle wood in from the corners and down to the trunk should be decided based on what the "field" looks like.
Show us some pics of the trees, and your design.
Mike
Now, in terms of anchoring it to a tree, you are going to want to use more than just nails. We used those huge self tapping bolts from home depot, but Ideally you may want to drill through and put a threaded rod in. You will also need to seal it with something like silicon or great stuff to prevent rotting.
Based off the size of structure you want you will probably need additional supports. Whether you choose to use stilts, or to angle wood in from the corners and down to the trunk should be decided based on what the "field" looks like.
Show us some pics of the trees, and your design.
Mike
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rp_guy
Member Cars for Sale
9
Jul 16, 2017 07:33 AM
CL-S progression 01
Car Parts for Sale
65
Jan 26, 2016 04:15 PM