Posts Tagged tree houses
Posted on February 2, 2010 with No Comments
Most people, when building tree houses, never consider winter construction because they want to be inside when it’s cold outside. But there are a few good reasons to build during the winter. Building tree houses during winter may reduce construction induced stress on the host trees. Here’s 3 reasons why:
Building tree houses in winter is good for the trees and fun for us too!
1. If you need to wound a tree for building a tree house or general pruning, the dormant winter season is the best time of year to do it. The scent from tree wounds can attract insects that spread oak wilt or Dutch elm disease. We’re also concerned here in Pennsylvania about the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. But insect and fungal activity is at a minimum during the winter so the transmission risk is very low.
2. Building in winter, just previous to the growth season, will also permit the tree to direct its spring vigor toward responding to the attachment point injury and the weight and wind sail forces from the new tree house. The tree will grow reactive tissue around the attachment points which helps the tree compartmentalize or “wall off” the wound. This extra growth, over time, is beneficial for the strength of the tree house and resists spread of decay in the tree. Trees also grow more and thicker structural roots on an as needed basis, so they will grow more roots to respond to the added wind sail effect created by tree house walls and the overall weight of the structure. These factors immediately shock the tree, but it will likely regain balance over a couple growing seasons. A tree house built at the end of winter, just previous to the onset of the spring growing season, will have the full benefit of that year’s reactive growth to help the tree adjust to the new wounds and loading.
3. Soil disturbance, one of the most serious tree threats during tree house construction, is much reduced during winter when the ground is frozen. Foot prints and vehicle tires can seriously reduce the ongoing health & vigor of trees when they compact the soil. Trees need air spaces between soil particles to aid in absorbing nutrients. But frozen soil becomes rigid, protecting those tiny air spaces from compaction.
Winter can be a great time for building tree houses. It may not be when most humans would think of tackling an outdoor project, but when we consider the arboreal benefits, perhaps more of us will wear an extra layer and build our tree houses over the dormant winter season.
Posted on August 31, 2009 with 2 Comments
Question from Bill, Gloversville, NY
“Where can I find materials for my tree house? What do you suggest for roofing and siding?…”
Well, Bill, part of the fun in building tree houses is using some materials that you find yourself in your local area. Many simple kids tree houses use materials right off the shelf, such as pressure treated wood, T 1-11 siding, and a corrugated or asphalt shingle roof. These materials keep the cost of the tree houses down where more people can afford them. But, since you are building your tree house yourself and presumably not paying for any labor, then I’ll assume you have more time & money to track down some interesting materials.
Here are a few products for you to consider as a starting point for choosing roofing & siding materials.
T1-11 is strong, affordable, and takes stain well. It is much easier to stain before installing the sheets, and looks pretty decent if you put trim on the corners, rakes, & fasciae
this clear roofing is usually for greenhouses, but was chosen here so the red leaves would always be visible. Other corrugated roofing materials come in different colors, or sheet metal is yet another option.
This Adirondack siding is rough sawn, which is less expensive and has a rustic uneven look. It also looks great with a cedar shake roof, as shown. The windows are made by Pella, but you can get reused windows, custom designed pieces, or just staple screen over openings if you want to keep it simple.
Don’t forget to use your imagination with materials for tree houses. Find locally available materials, recycled materials, or home-made materials. If any of you readers come up with unique designs or materials for your tree houses, then please send me pictures. I may even feature your tree house in my next tree house book! Happy treehouse building and materials selecting! -Dan
Posted on July 7, 2009 with No Comments
Question from George, Glen Ridge, NJ:
“In your list of things not to do, you say not to “pin” a beam. What exactly does that mean?”
Well, “pinning” would mean any way of fastening a tree house beam directly against the bark of the trunk, such that the beam will not move independently from the trunk. This is typically done by buying the biggest lag bolts at the local hardware store (usually 1/2″), predrilling, and lagging right through the beam and into the tree. Some tree house builders in Japan used to pin two parallel beams to a tree by clamping them together with all-thread, washers, and nuts. They squeezed the tree so hard that it would actually hold some weight before slipping down. I still consider those beams pinned because they can’t move, and the tree must decide whether to push them away or grow around them - neither of which is good for the tree or the tree house.
Take a look at what is happening here to a tree house built by a “do it yourselfer” in Pennsylvania.
Unsafe method of attaching a tree house beam
This tree house was 3 years old at the time of the photo and one of the main beams has been pushed out over the head of the lag bolt about 7/8″ or more than half way off the 2×12. When will it fall down? Probably in another 3 years or so. Also note that these two yellow poplar trees are not looking very happy either, and it’s only been 3 years.
The better method is to “perch“, or set the beam on top of a much larger fastener some inches away from the trunk so that the tree can grow without constriction or rubbing due to wind movement. Thank you for the question… -Dan Wright
Posted on June 13, 2009 with 4 Comments
Introduction to Zip Lines from Tree Houses
Zip lines are great fun, but they can also be dangerous. Make sure that they are built properly, along with the tree houses that serve as the zip line launching platforms. There is a lot of variety in zip lines, and this post will serve as an introduction to the many choices out there.
Are Harnesses & Helmets Necessary?
Life involves a lot of risks. Only you can decide which ones to accept for you, your kids, and your guests who will inevitably be using the zip lines and tree houses. That being said, some zip lines are less than 100 feet and the rider is never more than 7 feet off the ground. Most people on this style do not wear harnesses or helmets. But other zip lines are hundreds of feet long and start in tree houses that are 30′ high, where a fall could be fatal. We strongly recommend requiring harness and helmet use in such cases as a precaution.
What about Grade?
If the bottom tree is on significantly lower ground than the tree house, you have two choices: 1) raise the end cable, or 2) use a braking system. Raising the end cable to a higher point in the tree will slow the ride down and account for the grade difference. Braking systems are questionable because they can fail, especially when not properly installed and regularly inspected. In short, gravity stopping is safer, but using a brake allows the zip line to be faster.
How to get off the Zip Line
Zip lines are properly installed with a sagging cable to minimize tension when the zip line is loaded. As you jump from the tree house and proceed down the cable, you should install the zip line so that after you stop via gravity and/or braking system, you then coast back to a point that is not too high off the ground for an easy dismount. This typically stops about 60 to 80% of the way from the tree house to the bottom tree. Alternatively, in canopy tours, or zip lines that connect several tree houses, you will need a braking system that allows you to come to a stop at the far tree house without hitting the end tree at 30 mph or so, which really hurts you, although the tree will hardly notice it.
Be Careful…
Zip Lines and Tree Houses are potentially difficult and/or dangerous to install. Please make sure that you use proper safety equipment while working on ropes or ladders, and please do adequate research to determine the proper sizes of cable and get professional grade hardware so that you don’t have to worry, just have fun! Tree Top Builders is available to install zip lines and tree houses. We will also attempt to answer all zip line and tree house building questions posted to this blog as a service to built-it-yourselfers, so please ask away!
Posted on June 1, 2009 with 1 Comment
Top 7 Reasons People Build Tree Houses
1.Tree Houses are Escapes from the “Normal.”
To many, the appeal of tree houses is that you don’t see them every day. True tree houses, that is, structures supported by trees or built closely around them, are less common than pools, boats, play sets, gazebos, or fancy flower beds. Many who build tree houses are simply seeking something different from what everyone else has.
2. Nicely Finished Tree Houses Expand the Borders of the Home.
Some tree houses are connected to a ground house by a bridge or stairway from a deck. But even if it’s a short walk down a wooded path, tree houses practically extend the use of the home. As guest rooms, tree houses are unmatched in novelty. As a result, as bed & breakfast units, they generate higher than average rental rates. Well built tree houses can have all modern comforts of ground houses and some tree houses are even built as permanent homes.
3. Tree Houses are Iconic Imaginative Places.
You don’t have to look far into kids culture to find tree houses. Cartoon and book characters have disproportionately more tree houses than the average real kids who want to be like them. Tree Houses are homes for Ewoks, and Elves if your imagination takes you into the world of fiction.
4. Tree Houses get the Kids out of the House
Most tree houses are kids tree houses, and many parents build aerial retreats to get the kids outside in the fresh air rather than in front of the computer or television. Active play is good for kids of all ages. Tree houses, with their climbing features, swings, zip lines, and places to play and hide definetely fall into the category of “active play.”
5. Playsets are not as cool as Tree Houses.
Playsets may call themselves “tree houses,” but they have a completely different function and appearance. Playsets are typically only 4-6 feet high, have notoriously small square footage (to make them cheaper) and kids grow out of the plastic slides and small features by age 9 if not earlier. Tree Houses, on the other hand, can be built to appeal to the whole family.
6.Tree Houses make Fantastic Gifts or Special Rewards.
Many Tree Houses are birthday or holiday gifts. Sometimes grandparents build tree houses to make their yards more fun for the grandkids. The most popular time to build tree houses is the beginning of summer, which is where graduation events coincide with outdoor weather.
7.We all Innately Want to Build Tree Houses!
The desire to build tree houses comes from our instinct to create our own space. As small children, we love to hide under blankets. Next, we are moving furniture around to make walls. Before long, we are grabbing hammers and nails to start building tree houses. Why fight nature? Come on, you know you want to!
Now it’s your turn: Not that the above aren’t sufficient, but what other reasons can you all think of for building tree houses?
