Help me build a treehouse

September 2, 2007 6:36 AM

Websites or other sources with plans for a simple but solid treehouse . . .

I want to build a treehouse (or a simple platform) for a 7 year old child just overcoming a fear of climbing and heights. The tree selected is a sturdy old dogwood on flat ground that has a fairly low split -- three subtrunks rising from the main trunk, making a nice triangular support frame at about 4 feet high, which is just about the perfect height. I can probably plan a simple deck-style platform, but have never built one before so would appreciate links to good designs online or tips from people who have done it. I want to do it right, with a solid ladder, and maybe a partial roof. And it has to be totally tight so its occupant feels secure. I have decent basic carpentry skills. What are the pitfalls? Cool design ideas? Links to pictures of other cool treehouses?

posted by fourcheesemac to home & garden (4 comments total)

There are lots of free woodworking plans online. Here, for instance is a bunch of links to various types of treehouses.

This guy seems to have done a triangular platform higher, but like the one you seem to be describing. (I personally wouldn't build inside the tree, because trees' circumference will grow over time; all my family's outside constructions were alongside and largely independent of the trees.)
posted by cobaltnine at 6:55 AM on September 2, 2007

Thanks cobaltnine.

I can build inside the tree because I don't expect this version to serve for more than 2 or 3 years, and this is a very old and slow-growing tree.
posted by fourcheesemac at 7:02 AM on September 2, 2007

The Dangerous Book for Boys has a great chapter on building a treehouse. Link.
posted by Happy Dave at 7:36 AM on September 2, 2007

This is for a girl, just in case any stereotypes need busting.
posted by fourcheesemac at 7:39 AM on September 2, 2007