2006-02-08
tree houses
Back when I lived in the Adirondacks two guys moved north and attempted to build a treehouse. They were nice enough guys, but their efforts were laughable. Selecting a dying elm and a healthy growing maple to anchor their endeavor between, those of us nearby watched all summer as they pounded nails into 2x4's every couple of inches; and one time, allowed themselves to be treed by a cow. But their heart was in a good place.
Come summer's end, however, they ventured back to Brooklyn and I don't recall them ever coming back, except to sell the property.
For me, they provoked an interest in tree houses, long forgotten until recently. Some can get pretty classy. Here's some stuff about them.
Rule Number One" Check your local zoning regulations. ...and even if building one is legal, sometimes you can run against a cantankerous town elder hellbent on tearing that treehouse down. So plan accordingly.
Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Here's some sites that provide practical pointers.
• The Tree House Guide
• Out'n'About Tree Construction
• Treehouse Guide's plans for people with very basic building skills.
Getting it built by others. I'm not endorsing any of these folks. Don't know enough about them other than they've built impressive websites!
• Stile's Treehouse Design Books
• Treehouse Workshop
• Blue Forest Exclusive Treehouses
Peek at the accomplishments of others. Even if only by picture, you can get an idea what you can expect.
• From a simple rustic aerie like Ron & Michelle's Place
• to an upscale address [complete with pulleyed lifts] such as 
Charles Prowell's in California.
• More casually, there's Corbin's Treehouse.
Places to stay Perfect if you aren't sure you'd actually like to live in one.
• The Country Place Camp
• Grand Oaks Timber Frame Cottage
• Finally, in case you thought treehouse retreats were only for folks with all fours working there's also Trails' Edge built for people with disabilities to enjoy. ¶ 23:38
Back when I lived in the Adirondacks two guys moved north and attempted to build a treehouse. They were nice enough guys, but their efforts were laughable. Selecting a dying elm and a healthy growing maple to anchor their endeavor between, those of us nearby watched all summer as they pounded nails into 2x4's every couple of inches; and one time, allowed themselves to be treed by a cow. But their heart was in a good place.Come summer's end, however, they ventured back to Brooklyn and I don't recall them ever coming back, except to sell the property.
For me, they provoked an interest in tree houses, long forgotten until recently. Some can get pretty classy. Here's some stuff about them. Rule Number One" Check your local zoning regulations. ...and even if building one is legal, sometimes you can run against a cantankerous town elder hellbent on tearing that treehouse down. So plan accordingly.Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Here's some sites that provide practical pointers.
• The Tree House Guide
• Out'n'About Tree Construction• Treehouse Guide's plans for people with very basic building skills.
Getting it built by others. I'm not endorsing any of these folks. Don't know enough about them other than they've built impressive websites!
• Stile's Treehouse Design Books
• Treehouse Workshop
• Blue Forest Exclusive Treehouses
Peek at the accomplishments of others. Even if only by picture, you can get an idea what you can expect.
• From a simple rustic aerie like Ron & Michelle's Place
• to an upscale address [complete with pulleyed lifts] such as Charles Prowell's in California.• More casually, there's Corbin's Treehouse.
Places to stay Perfect if you aren't sure you'd actually like to live in one.
• The Country Place Camp
• Grand Oaks Timber Frame Cottage
• Finally, in case you thought treehouse retreats were only for folks with all fours working there's also Trails' Edge built for people with disabilities to enjoy. ¶ 23:38
