Tree House

[Jaarkeal]

I want to build a tree house for my children in this Oak tree. I have never done such before and was just interested in peoples advice and opinions.

Has anybody built one ? I want it to last so I was thinking bolts into the tree would initially cause the most damage but may heal and be a better long term option ?

I could put it on stilts but would it look as nice and how much damage would concrete pads do to roots ?

Eventually I would like to have a zip line from it and a bridge to it from a nearby Sycamore. All plans in my head at the moment though.

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[ratcatcher]

don't know if its different in your own house/garden, but within woodland you need planning permission as its a fixed structure, although we call them deer spotting platforms for woodland management, which gets round that little loop hole

[Eddy_t]

If you use nails or bolts made of steel the oak will eat them, so make sure they're galvanised or plated and just put the posts straight into the soil as it will take a few years to rot, in that time you could attach a set of legs to each post, for the zip line use something similar to a cambium saver so you don't choke the part of the tree it's attached to

 

 

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[oslac]

I put up a stilt house about ten years ago and its still as sturdy as it ever was.

 

As mentioned insert 5-6m long treated round posts 100mm diam straight into the soil and about 0.7-1.0m deep. Pack well.

 

Brace the 4 posts using 100x50mm treated spars at the height of the platform. Fix with coachbolts to create a sturdy structure which will then allow you to fix a platform to.

 

After choosing a suitable location for the platform, use two pieces of treated marine grade plyboard or wood planking. Cut a circular hole (or what ever the shape the trunk is) 50-100 mm wider than the trunk to allow the trunk to expand. Fit platfom to posts and bracing.

 

Don't attach anything to the tree and don't have any wood, planking etc rubbing against the tree. The tree house should come down as easily as it went up with no pain to the tree.

 

You could also put a roof on the platform. Make sure you put a suitable rail around it as well.

 

Check for planning permission and height of structures and proximity to boundaries. If this becomes problematic, don't put a roof on.

 

Good luck

[Jaarkeal]

I guess this is my dilemma. To bolt or not to bolt. I like the idea of not damaging the tree but I think it looks better to not have stilts. Having said that I could build a stair case in the stilts.

[Jaarkeal]

Anybody know where I can get 6-7m poles from ?

[Andy fellows]

Try and ring up the council for old telegraph poles.

[treequip]

Anybody know where I can get 6-7m poles from ?

 

What area?

[Jaarkeal]

Basingstoke area. I'd rather have new poles as I don't want any creosote or such leaking from the poles as it may form part of the stair case.

[splinters]

there are lots of good books on building tree houses i have one called build your own tree house a practical guide. by maurice barkley. sterling publishing co.