Almost every child sees a tree house as a hiding place, a fortress, or a playground that has a magical appeal. The tree house is also a fun project for adults. Building a tree house requires careful planning and construction, but it is worth the results. If you take good care of your dream tree house, you will have a “wooden shelter” that you can enjoy for a long time.
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Part 1 of 5: Preparations to Build a Tree House
Step 1. Choose the right tree
Tree health is crucial to building the foundation of a tree house. Trees that are too old or too young will not qualify as tree houses; and anyone who goes in there will be very risky. Trees must be sturdy, mature, and still alive. Trees ideal for a treehouse include oak, maple, spruce, and apple. You should ask a tree specialist to inspect your tree before starting to build. An ideal tree has the following qualities:
- Sturdy and strong trunk and branches.
- The roots are deep and strong.
- There were no signs of parasites or diseases that could weaken the tree.
Step 2. Visit the city planning office in your area
Take the time to learn about any regulations or rules that may be related to a treehouse project, such as height restrictions. You may even need to have a build permit. If there are protected trees on your property, you may be prohibited from building there.
Step 3. Talk to your neighbors
As a courtesy, you should talk to your neighbors and let them know your plans. If your treehouse is visible from the neighbor's house, they will be happy to have your opinion considered. This simple step can prevent future complaints or lawsuits from arising. Although your neighbors are likely to agree, this will help them to be more supportive of your project.
Step 4. Talk to your insurance agent
Contact your insurance agent to determine if the tree house is covered under your home policy. Otherwise, all potential damage caused by the tree house will not be covered by insurance.
Part 2 of 5: Making Detailed Plans
Step 1. Select your tree
If you are building a tree house in your yard, you may have very few tree choices. After choosing a healthy tree, you can start thinking about a suitable home design; or you can take the opposite step of thinking about the design first and then choosing the right tree. Here are some things to think about when choosing a tree:
- For a standard 20x20 cm treehouse, choose a tree with a trunk at least 30 cm in diameter.
- To calculate the diameter of a tree, calculate its circumference by wrapping string or ribbon around the trunk at the point where you want the treehouse to stand. Divide the circumference by pi (3, 14) to get the diameter.
Step 2. Choose a tree house design
It's important to have a mature treehouse design before you start driving the first nails. You can search the internet for tree house designs, or if you have building knowledge, create your own. You will need to make accurate calculations to ensure your design fits the chosen tree.
- Making a small tree house model out of cardboard will help to see what problems will arise.
- In creating the design, do not forget about tree growth. Leave enough room for the tree trunk to grow. It's a good idea to research the species of a tree to determine its growth rate.
Step 3. Define the supports
There are many ways to support a tree house. Whichever method you choose, it's important to remember that the treehouse moves with the wind. Sliding bars or brackets are important to ensure the treehouse is not damaged by the wind. Here are the three main ways of supporting a tree house:
- Using a buffer. In this option, the support posts will be buried into the ground near the tree, instead of attaching them to the tree. This method has the least damaging effect on the tree.
- Using a lock. In this option, the support beams or floor base will be locked directly to the tree. This is the most traditional method, but the damaging effects are the most on the tree. You can minimize damage by using the right materials.
- Use suspension. In this way, the treehouse on strong, tall branches will be held in place using cables, ropes, or chains. This method does not work in all designs, and is not ideal for tree houses intended to carry heavy loads.
Step 4. Determine the login access
Before building a tree house, you must determine the access, such as stairs, which makes it easier for people to enter the tree house. Your way should be safe and solid, so forget the old way of using boards nailed to tree trunks. Here are more secure login options:
- Standard ladder. You can buy or build a regular ladder to climb up to the treehouse. Stairs on a bunk bed or bunk bed are also okay.
- Rope ladder. This is a ladder made of rope and short planks, suspended from the base of the tree house.
- Staircase. A small house staircase is the safest way of access, if it fits your image of a tree house. If you choose this method, make sure you build the handrails for safety.
Step 5. Find out what you are going to do to the branches that are interfering with the treehouse
How do you build when there are annoying branches? Will you cut them or combine them in a treehouse plan? Combined, would you build a treehouse around the branch or frame it in a window? Find solutions to these questions “before” starting to build. That way, your tree house will reflect the care and readiness of the maker.
Part 3 of 5: Building and Reinforcing the Tree House Base
Step 1. Put safety first
Before you start building a tree house, think about safety. Falling from above is one of the biggest risks of a tree house. There are several preventative steps you can take to ensure everyone who builds a treehouse is safe.
- Don't build too high. Building a tree house too tall can be dangerous. If your tree house will be used by many children, the base should not exceed 1, 8-2, 4 meters.
- Build a safety fence. The main function of the safety fence, of course, is to make sure people in the treehouse don't fall over. Make sure the fence that surrounds your treehouse is at least 90 centimeters, with no more than 10 centimeters between the posts.
- Make a fall arrest pad. Fill the area under the treehouse with a soft natural material such as wood mulch. This won't 100% prevent injury, but it will at least provide some cushioning in the event of a fall.
Step 2. Find a sturdy tree with two separate "V" branches
You will use this tree to install the tree house. The "V" shape will add extra strength and hold, so there are anchor points (start and end points of a line) in four places instead of just two.
Step 3. Drill the tree in four different sections, on each side of the "V"
Drill 0.95 cm in each "V" prong, making sure the holes are the same height. Otherwise, the structure may tilt and the supports will be disturbed.
Step 4. Measure the distance between the holes on each side of the "V"
Depending on the tree, the holes may be farther apart or closer together.
Step 5. Subtract 25 centimeters from the measurement result, divide the result by two, and mark the distance from one end measuring 5x25 cm
Make a mark on the other end using measuring the distance between the two holes in the tree. This will ensure that the 5x25 fits right in the center and bears a balanced load when you mount it on the “V”.
Step 6. Make a 10.16 cm hole in each 5x25 mark
This is so that the tree can sway in the wind and move without damaging the structure of the tree house. Do this by drilling two 1.6 cm, 5 cm holes on either side of the mark. Then use a saw to make a gap between the holes, creating a 10, 16 cm hole, with the mark right in the middle.
Now if the tree sways in the wind, the base will move slightly to follow the tree's movement. If the base of the treehouse is simply bolted/locked to the tree, the parts will move with the tree. This is not good for the base of the treehouse, as it can slowly or suddenly push in the opposite direction and begin to crack
Step 7. Attach the two main supports to the tree at the proper height
Choose two sturdy 5x25 cm (5x30 cm) boards and attach them to the tree. Install galvanized lag screws (15, 24 or 20, 32 cm long; 1.6 cm diameter) into the four 10.16 cm holes on the 5x25 board using a wrench, fixing the washers. Do the same for the other board on the opposite side of the rod, making sure both boards are the same height.
- Drill trees and 5x25 boards to make screwing in screws easier, and to minimize cracks in the boards.
- Cut the two supports each as decoration. Of course, do this before attaching the support to the rod with screws.
- Consider doubling the support with another 5x25 cm board for added strength. Install two 5x25 cm boards on each side of the rod, balanced against each other. In this way the support will be able to withstand more weight. If you do this, use a larger screw (at least 20.32 cm long and 2.54 cm in diameter).
Step 8. Lay four 5x15 cm boards, evenly spaced, perpendicular to the main support board
Instead of placing them flat on the main support, place them on the sides so that they stay 60 cm in the air. Lock with deck screws 7.6 cm.
Step 9. Glue the two 5x15 cm boards onto the previously bolted 5x15 cm boards
Attach the 5x15 cm board to the four ends of the previous 5x15 cm board and then nail it. The base of the tree house is now square and attached to the main support. Make sure the 5x15cm board is centered and square.
Step 10. Attach the base of the tree house to the main support with rafter tie
Use 8 galvanized rafter ties to attach all four 5x15 cm boards perpendicular to the main support.
Step 11. Attach the center of the house base to the sides with an easel hanger
Use 8 galvanized easel hangers to attach the ends of the 5x15cm planks perpendicular to the adjacent 5x15cm.
Step 12. Reinforce the base of the tree house with 5x10 cm planks
Now, the base of the tree house is still a bit wobbly. To be sturdier, you will need to add at least two reinforcements. The reinforcement will be affixed to the bottom of the tree and again to both edges of the base of the treehouse.
- Cut a 45 degree angle at each end of the 5x10 cm board. This will allow you to stick the 5x10 cm board into the base of the house.
- Form a “V” with a 5x10 cm plank so that the two planks overlap the straight side of the tree but also fit inside the base of the house.
- Glue the top of the reinforcement to the base of the house from the bottom and from the inside. Make sure the two reinforcing boards are level and balanced before nailing them.
- Screw 20.32cm lag screws through the 5x10cm reinforcing boards that overlap each other in a solid part of the tree. Install the washer between the 2x4 cm and the lag screw for best results.
Part 4 of 5: Installing Floors and Guardrails
Step 1. Figure out where you need to cut to make the floorboards fit into the tree
Measure where the tree penetrates the floor and cut around the trunk with a saw, leaving about 2.5-5 cm.
Step 2. Attach two screws to each end of the board with a deck screw of at least 10 cm
Once the floorboards have been cut to fit the tree trunk, it's time to screw in the screws. Use a ladder so you can climb to the base of the house and screw in with a drill. Give a little distance of about 0.5-1 cm between the boards that make up the floor.
Step 3. Create an entryway from the main support that goes through the base of the house
Add cover and verticals to the base of the house to make a rectangle. Now the odd part of the base of the house that previously dangled out had become a practical entryway.
Step 4. Give each corner two 5x10 cm boards to start making posts for the guardrail
Nail two 5x10 cm boards (must be at least 122 cm high) together, and secure them with screws to each corner of the house base.
Step 5. Glue the handrails to the posts
Also use a 5x10 cm board, and if you want to connect the ends of the handrails. Then, nail the pole. Next, screw in each of the corners that are connected.
Step 6. Glue the siding on the base of the house and the base of the handrails
Nail any existing wood (board or plywood is also fine) under the base of the house. Then nail it to the top of the guardrail so that it becomes an effective fence.
Use whatever you want to cover the walls with. You can also use a rope net if you want, as long as small children don't slip and fall. Safety should be a top priority, especially if there are small children
Part 5 of 5: Solution
Step 1. Make a ladder and connect it to the base of the treehouse
There are several ways to do this. Have fun with this one stage!
- Make a rope ladder.
- Make a ladder 3.65 meters high from a 5x10 cm plank and 2.44 meters from a 5x7.6 cm board. Place the 5x10 cm boards side by side in perfect symmetry, marking where each step should be. Cut 5x7.6 cm about 2.9 cm into both sides of the 5x10 cm board. Cut the notches of the 5x7.6 cm board to the appropriate length for the steps and glue them to the notches with wood glue. Secure the steps with deck screws and wait for the glue to dry. Paint your stairs to make them look good and last longer.
Step 2. Add a simple roof to the tree house
This roof is made of simple tarpaulin, although you can also design it and build a more complex roof. Attach one hook to the two rods about 2.4 meters above the base of the house. Tie an elastic (bungee cord) between the two hooks and place the tarp over it.
Next, build four outriggers a few meters and attach them to the four corners of the fence. Nail the tarpaulin to the four pillars. Now your roof is a little sturdier
Step 3. Paint or color the wood
To make your treehouse weatherproof or look more attractive, it's time to paint it. You can use a paint that will blend well with your treehouse.
Tips
- Try to keep the tree house structure as light as possible. The heavier the treehouse, the more support it will need, the more likely it is to damage the tree. If you are going to put furniture in a tree house, buy the lightest furniture.
- If you're bolting directly to the tree, use a few large straps instead of lots of smaller ones. Otherwise, the entire area of the tree will rot.
- Most building materials stores don't sell lag bolts large enough for a treehouse project. Look for these bolts online from a treehouse specialty maker.
Warning
- Dried wood will be environmentally friendly but not as strong as new wood. Be careful when using dried wood, and do not use it for parts of the house that will receive heavy loads.
- Never climb onto the roof of a tree house.
- Never jump down from the top of the tree house. Always use the stairs.
