World treehouse list

Michael Schwartz
Ashern, Manitoba, Canada
27 December 2007

Built on the Schwartz Acreage just outside of Ashern. It boasted 29 rooms and three stories high. Built by 9 and 12 year old boys, over two summers.

Vincent Fry
NJ, USA
14 December 2007
  

I had my friend build this for my kids ages 2,5,9,15 (thanks Pete). We made some mods from the plans.

[Ed: This plan is based on the Kauri treehouse at Treehouse Guides.]

Tom Friend
http://www.illuminosi.com/treehouse.htm
12 November 2007

We started building our treehouse this June. The outside is nearing completion as the winter is setting in.

Matthieu Stettler and family
Switzerland
5 November 2007

Our treehouse was constructed in a remote and isolated forest area of the Swiss countryside. Approximately 7 meters above the ground, we built a large platform that supports a two storey high treehouse with a panoramic deck. Beech and spruce trees were used to support the entire structure and offer a peaceful environment. From up there, the magnificent panorama of the Swiss Alps can be appreciated, as well as the quiet woods surrounding the treehouse.

Brenda Nichols and Mike Robicheau
Prince Edward Island, Canada
5 November 2007
      

We built this treehouse...with help from our friend Dave and my Dad and finally a fella we hired to put the roof on and finish the front and peaks. It has a sleeping loft. It is 10 X 10, with a 6 foot deck on the front. It still needs a railing. We just have a handbuilt wooden ladder for it.

Pete
Southern Indiana, USA
http://www.16feet.blogspot.com
1 November 2007

I've slowly been building a 16' X 8' suspended treehouse in southern Indiana. The structure is hanging about 16 feet off the ground in a large 5 trunk sycamore tree.

Moving around in the treehouse is similar to being on a boat, there's enough movement to make the non-initiated a bit sea-sick, especially after several hours.

There are quite a few pictures on the build blog (link above). I'm hoping to add a stove and running water on the next trip.

Gabe
22 October 2007

In about 2000 my dad found a Y of a tree and constructed a plywood deck, it was soon forgotten and rotted. However in about 2006 I started drawing plans thinking nothing of it because all my designs used crotches that didn't appear anywear on our property. Weeks later I uncovered a old handyman book that showed a couple tree house designs, GOLD! It used 2 trees (straighter the better) stretching 2 beams between the trees sitting a deck on top! So that's just what we're doing.

Progress? Plans are done materials are on the way. It has 105' Sq. The stories are so cool. Hope to post as soon as we get it done. Thanks.

AJ
Photo
16 September 2007

Had an opportunity to "recycle" a play structure that has now been at 3 different backyards over the last 6 years.

We took it apart in late '05 put it in 2 pickup trucks and drove it to our house, started rebuilding/assembling last summer '06.

Basically the original structure was 5' x 5' x 12' with the tube and slide, I added the rope ladder, canvas roofs x 2, A-Frame on the side with swing and the deck on the 2nd floor, etc, etc.

My son (12yrs) and I have re-assembled the structure since last summer and basically finished a couple of weeks ago. I figure the entire Fort is 96%+ recycled/reused. The siding was fencing that was in our yard and most of the lumber was either from old redwood decks or left overs. This was one of the first times he really worked with a hammer, power screwdriver, handsaw, etc and provided the labor to move, assemble all the pieces and follow through to the end!!

Craig Maclean
Big Rapids, MI, USA
5 September 2007
            

The steel "T-Bar" is 2" x 4" x 3/8" rectangular steel tube welded across a 12" steel cap channel. We hoisted it into place with a lever puller and secured it to the tree with 5/8" x 12" lag bolts (originally 4 bolts, then added 3 more). Pre-drilling the holes and coating the bolts with pruning tar made the process much easier.

The deck or base platform is secured to the two trees opposite the t-bar (with 8 more 12" lags). The unique design allows the trees to bend and blow independently of each other while the treehouse "floats" or slides on the t-bar support. A replaceable hardwood "wear pad" is installed where each joist slides on the t-bar. Steel tabs at each end of the tee keep everything lined up. On a good day, the t-bar can slide 2" or more in each direction ....... but the structure is not affected and/or ripped apart. So far, the whole idea is working exactly as planned.

Interior walls fully enclose the "tree chimney", keep the weather out, and allow for plenty of tree growth and movement. The trusses are home made and incorporate a 4'x8' "loft" in the rafters. The roof is galvanized steel panel which sounds great on a rainy day.

The flooring is rough milled oak harvested from one of our own trees. The balance of materials is right off the shelf at the local home center. In Spring 2008 we'll put a wood preservative on the exterior, hang a front door, and let the boys "customize" it in their own special way.

The boys are pushing for phone and power ....... but I don't think that will get past The Board of Directors. A battery powered LED lantern should do for now.

Erik D Johnston
NJ, USA

28 August 2007
    

When I originally chose the tree for the project I wanted the treehouse to be in a location that would allow my wife and I to see the treehouse through our kitchen and family room windows. We have three young children so safety was the main concern. Well I had no idea how big a 7'x8' treehouse with an 8' tall roof line really was (and a 3'x8' deck)! What ended up happening was the treehouse is beautifully framed inside the glass slider doors at the back of our family room and it has actually become a focal point when guests come to visit... it sort of jumps out at you framed like that.

Since I submitted those photos, I finished off the house with a 45 degree angle staircase using three rows of 3/4 hemp rope as the hand rails (the kids love it and our golden retriever thinks I built them for him!). I also built very simple screen windows to keep out the mosquitoes.

As I've literally never built so much as a bird feeder before this treehouse, I am very proud and inspired by this project. I also realized what people meant when they tell you that a successful project is all about having a good plan and the right tools. The whole project including the extra tools I had to buy and the Atlantic White Cedar lap siding ran about $850 (probably would be significantly less if I did it a second time as I wasted materials due to my lack of experience).

Jan Doble
4 August 2007

After several months of battling our Homeowners Association, they decided to proceed with a declaration of war by presenting us with legal documents to appear in court. We immediately contacted a wonderful family with 5 children, who came and disassembled the wonderful treehouse, and reassembled it in their own backyard.

Message: Homeowners Associations can make their own rules for any reason at any time. There is no court high enough to over-power their decisions... and they can make their own rules as they go. That is the final tale of the infamous Doble Treehouse War story from 1997.

[Ed: Read the original treehouse list entry from July 1998.]

Erik Kafrissen
www.freewebs.com/sheridanrapids/index.htm
1 August 2007

It all began with a curved cedar log which was damaged by the Ice Storm of 1998. Three years and a lot of sweat and blood later and we finally finished our little Treehouse (about 700 sq. ft.). The kids use it for sleep-overs, birthday parties and it is now available for rent for a very modest price (no gouging here). We are located near Perth, Ontario and the Treehouse is virtually right over the river. Check out our website for more details.

We’d love to meet you.
The Kafrissen Family

Adam Marquez
11 July 2007

It took me and my best friend about 2 years to make our tree house. And still working on it, it has two bedrooms a restroom three hallways and a water proof roof and a balcony over looking the city.

Alex et Michel
France
http://www.cabanepassion.fr/
10 July 2007

Son and I are building our dream of a treehouse.

[Ed: Website is currently in French only, but check the 'Gallerie' for a large range of project photos.]

Michael Herot
7 July 2007

I built this treehouse for my son this spring. Not one nail in the tree too. Includes a tube slide, fireman's pole, and a deck too. Total material costs were about $650.

David Fernandes - Lane's treehouse
Elsberry, MO
25 June 2007
    

This is a treehouse that I built for my sons. I built this treehouse for them because I never had one when I was young and always wanted one. Most of the material was from friends, one had a old cedar fences and one had a old decks. The shape is a octagon radiating out from the center of a oak tree. The size of the inside is 6 feet from the tree with a 2 foot deck all the way around. The roof is a corrugated tin that I painted Hunter Green because it was old rusted metal The roof also completely covers the house and the deck. The treehouse has one door and three windows.

Matt Crossman
2 June 2007

My friends and I are currently working on a tree fort that involves NO wood, NO nails, NO tools, and NO penetration or breaking of the tree in any way. This environmentally safe fort consists of cheap, nylon cords and ropes, and some strong waterproof string. The final plan will consist of a spider-web like main section about 30 feet up, smaller side chairs lower and higher up in the tree, with ladders to most of them. Then, a rope bridge to another, taller, less bushy tree about 25 feet away. This tree will have a smaller web about 35 feet up, which will seat just 2-3 people safely. There is another half to the tree which contains all outward facing, slightly droopy branches. With supports, we will hang hammocks of my own teardrop design in mid air, half way between the ground and the holding branch. there are several smaller chairs scattered throughout the tree as well. The entire project will use at least 1000 feet of rope/cord, and somewhere in the range of 5000 feet of string.

Steve Dupont
Ontario, Canada
31 May 2007

It is great to read these treehouse stories from around the world. I built my treehouse at our family cottage in an area of mature cedar trees between the cabin and the lake. I built it over four years, mostly while my girlfriend watched and reminded me to be careful up there!. It includes four small decks, and a bridge through the trees that connects the main treehouse deck to a deck overlooking the lake. Perfect for pitching a tent up in the trees and spending the warm summer nights.

Jake Stucki
27 May 2007

We (me my little brother and friends) started this tree house/ fort a little while ago with no large intentions. We built one flimsy floor and let it be for about two months. One day in the summer we got started on it again and now it has flurished and grown to a mansion. It is pretty nice (for us at least being just kids built it) and it is coming along great. It has a secret little tool room. three seperate floors and we are still expanding. Thanks. Jake & Friends.

Ken Godfrey
http://copylounge.com/treehouse
13 April 2007

You can see our treehouse and the details of it's building at the website (listed above).

John Arne Loken
Utila, Honduras

8 April 2007

I have built a Treehouse on the island called Utila, Honduras. My treehouse is the only on the island, and has got it all. Super good views and lots of space over 3 floors. On hot days I can turn my A/C on and just chill!

Dan Morsete

16 January 2007

I built my treehouse in the summer of 2000. My son was 5, and my step daughter was 10. I had told my son about the tree house I built as a kid, and he wanted one too. The problem was we lived in town and I only had one tree that was mature enough for a treehouse. I owned my own construction business, and had alot of left over materials laying around, so one afternoon, with no real plan, I climbed the tree and began to build the deck. I let the tree and the lumber dictate the shape. Keeping in mind how we built the one we had as kids, lumber was scavanged and cutting it to length was seldom done. The deck ended up being a maple leaf shape, and about 200 sqft. I didn't want a lot of supports going to the ground to mow around, so it is supported with steel cables and turnbuckles extending up into the tree from the deck posts that are 1/2 lapped around the deck framing. I used the branches that were removed to form the railings. The house itself was constructed with a 2x2 frame, and 1/4" plywood glued and screwed to form rigid wall panels, the rafters were also made of 2x2s. The Dutch hip style, mimicks the main house. The cedar shakes were found in a dumpster, they were in great shape and there were just enough to cover the roof. The cedar siding and hardware were the only things I had to purchase. I used solar powered landscape lights to illuminate the deck, and wire undercabinet halogen hockey puck size lights in the house. The chimney is a lookout, covered in z-brick. There are two benches/beds, a fold down table to allow for two sleeping bags on the floor. Sleeps 4 kids. There are three windows with stained glass panes, a window box for flowers, and a Dutch door. It also features a Jacob's rope ladder, fireman's pole, secret storage spot, two swings, trapese bar, cargo net, and baseball batter's practice ball.

During the building process it met with a lot of opposition from the neighborhood, put once completed, it has become a new landmark in town. It attracts every kid, young and old. People are always stopping by to take pictures and check it out. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the kids or me. One of the pictures shows my son and his Kindergarden class on a field trip to the house the last day of school.

[Some questions were asked about build permissions by The Treehouse Guide - response below]

As I mentioned, I was a contractor at the time. I called the local building inspector one day to ask him a question about a fence I was building, he answered my question and then said "about that treehouse you are building, I've taken 18 calls about it, the last call I told 'em, I don't climb trees and hung up the phone." He and I both knew that it didn't require a building permit because of a few exemptions, it was not attached, (i.e. no foundation), it was less than 200 sq/ft (by 2 sq/ft), and is considered play ground equipment. Besides we share our inspector with a larger near by city, and only get him one day a week, and he has bigger things to worry about. I think the neighbors were concerned about an eyesore, which as you can see, it is anything but.

The solar lighting (you can see a couple of them, one by the door, and one on either side of the landing by the ladder), there was a total of six used, one was set atop a 4x4 with a house number post to mimic a yard post light. The units are self contained, inexpensive pathway lights, available at any home improvement store. They charge during the day and last almost all night. The interior lights were hard wired with the transformer hidden in the attic.

Look forward to seeing my baby on your site. My son will get a kick out of it.

I enjoy your site, and glad to see, I am not the only one who gets a little carried away when building something he loves. I had to stop building on mine before my wife at the time, threatened to divorce me if I spent anymore time on it. I should have divorced her then and there and kept building. LOL.

Troy Hunter
Northern California

16 Jan 2007

I have been 4 years and three summers devoted to building a treehouse off the grid in Northern California, in a very rural mountain area.

I'm utilizing a "downed" but alive oak tree. It is still alive. I would like to know about other treehouses integrated in jungle or forests around the world. It is my hope that many people experience less consumerism and more organic living which comes from the treehouse, using recycled lumber and building materials. Thank you for any information on world treehouses you can provide.

Kevin Mullin
Inchelium, WA, USA

Video on YouTube
12 January 2007

My family built a treehouse on my Mom's property in Inchelium, WA near Lake Roosevelt. Eventually it will be a treehouse complex that will include a rope & plank bridge connecting the main treehouse to a launch platform for a 90' zip-line. Right now the launch platform and the deck of the main house are complete. The treehouse is built with all recycled, reclaimed and locally acquired natural materials (logs & branches). I also bought a window, door and sheet metal roofing from a recycling center near my house and hauled them up to Inchelium. Build costs are less than $400. Expected completion date is Summer 2007.

Check out a video of the project (link above).

Jerome
Busselton, south west of Western Australia

8 January 2007

I built these "platforms" (with loads of assistance of course) in 2004 in response to the impending threat of a forest of native "Tuart" trees being cut down. There is Titanium Oxide in the soil and "Cable Sands", a mineral mining company, wanted access to it.

Titanium Oxide is used, among other harmless things like colouring toothpaste and paint white, for coating Depleted Uranium weapons! It's apparently very strong you see.

The Ludlow Forest is near Busselton, a town in the South West of Western Australia. Yes some of it is still there, thankfully. The structures are affectionately known amongst forest activists as "platforms", which is probably fitting of such spartan construction, but the collection of platforms we dubbed our little tree-village.

There were eventually five platforms (one was fifty metres from the other four and I personally only had a small part in it's contruction) and the occupants of four of them could visit each other via rope swings or traverses.

I was very proud of our little two storey platforms but am totally gobsmacked by the extensiveness of actual tree-houses around the world. My eyes are wide open and I'm totally inspired to let my creative juices flow to build something equally amazing and wonderful.

I hope that by adding this message, I might meet other keen climbers and builders in Australia.

Climb on!

Jerome