Treehouses are a fun place to play, and treehouse projects are excellent for aspiring architects.
With some basic tools and plenty of creativity, you too can build the treehouse of your dreams.
Check out these five tips to keep the kids and the trees safe when building a treehouse.
Choose a Treehouse Plan
Most tree houses fall into three categories: freestanding, attached, and portable. Knowing which treehouse design to build helps ensure everyone’s safety during construction.
Freestanding treehouses are built directly into the trunk of a tree. They are sturdy but require a lot of space and can be costly to build.
Attached treehouses are built onto branches; they’re smaller and less expensive. Portable treehouses are perfect if you want something small and quick to set up.
If you have minimum experience with carpentry, choose a portable treehouse. However, you might prefer a freestanding structure if you have high-level carpentry skills.
Find a Safe Location
To ensure the safety of your entire family and plants, build your treehouse away from power lines. Some trees can cause problems when they come into contact with electricity.
Ideally, it would be best to build your treehouse in a place with a lot of room. After all, you’re building a house on a tree, which grows naturally.
The light source plays a big part in choosing a location because the direction facing the sun will help the growth, and you want to ensure enough space for it.
Allow Room for Growth
Air circulation and sunlight are crucial for healthy trees. This helps it absorb water and nutrients. Trees also need room to grow. It would be best to allow them to grow through your treehouse roof and walls.
Additionally, although tree roots can offer a stable foundation, they can also lead to issues. They could harm your property if you don’t give them enough room to spread.
To make space, use long bolts and spacers. These devices let the tree grow through the structure without damaging anything inside.
Pick the Right Tree
It’s possible that your favorite garden tree isn’t the one that would support a treehouse the best. Coniferous or deciduous trees can sustain a treehouse better than others.
And watch for any termite, bacterial, or fungal damage. Use any sturdy tree with the least amount of damage.
Remember not to cut too deeply inside the tree’s bark when you build your treehouse. A tree’s bark is what protects the tree from damage.
Measuring the Tree
Height is another safety precaution you must be aware of when building a treehouse.
A mature tree can hold a large treehouse structure if you’re looking for a tall tree. Your treehouse’s weight might be too much for a young tree to support.
The size of a tree frequently tends to narrow as it approaches its apex. Measure the tree from above as well as from the stump area to see if it can support an entire treehouse. You might benefit from the help of an expert arborist.
After you build your dream treehouse, you might need help maintaining its conditions. Book a free consultation if you need the trees around your treehouse trimmed safely!