Build your own treehouse

Practical advice to help with building your own treehouse safely and with the minimum cost and hassle. If you still have questions, visit the forum or contact The Treehouse Guide.

Getting started

• Seven stage treehouse design process
• Choose your tree for size and suitability
• The treehouse year
• Frequently asked questions
• Glossary of treehouse terms

Construction tutorials

• Supports and the floor - techniques for fixed and flexible supports, brackets and cables
• Framing and building - putting together the walls, roof, doors and windows

Building and design

• How to plan the structure and get round building regulations and restrictions
• Avoid causing dangerous and unnecessary tree damage
• Prune excess branches to make space for your treehouse
• Build a rope bridge for access from a slope or between trees
• Waterproof your treehouse to protect it from rot
• Security techniques to help protect against attack through common weaknesses
• Build a fireplace to keep warm and cosy, including how to mix concrete
• Use a 'donkey' to lift heavy supports easily
• Arsenic poisoning relating to some treated timber products
• Embedded metal and the problem it creates for future tree felling
• Simple plan to demonstrate a logical build process
• Buy detailed plans designed for beginners at Treehouse Guides
• Forum for your questions and news from around the treehouse world