Child tree house

[Gmac]

So my son turns 4 in a month, we got rid of the plastic outdoor play place stuff. So we have extra space and I was thinking of building a nice size tree house for him. Who’s built 1? What is the size? How long did they use it? Did you over spend? How long have you had it?

 

[Clb]

You talkin a house on stilts or using an actual tree for the foundation?
stilts open to budget, tree dictates the size ie smaller tree smaller house.

Will you overspend haha, figuring a 100sq# lid (no permit here) that's around a 9x9 play space, think tiny bedroom.
Would a storage shed with a loft, work till outgrown, and switched to useful space later be a better setup...

 

[Gmac]

You talkin a house on stilts or using an actual tree for the foundation?
stilts open to budget, tree dictates the size ie smaller tree smaller house.

Tree, probably 2 trees actually. I have 2 about 7ft apart, probably 14” diameter each

 

[Clb]

Win.
calculate the floor joist at +30 psf
Over build the deck, take into consideration the average expansion of the trunk and branches.

 

[Fivepointfive]

Planning one now. 16'x16' deck with an 11'x11' cabin. Both for the kid and as a guest house. That way I won't feel bad if he uses it like twice. I'm also going to build it modular- separate walls screwed together on top of the deck, separate roof trusses and then some translucent poly roof panels. That way I can move it or sell it later if I want

If you're using more than one tree you'll want to use a floating mount on one end at least so the tree sway doesn't fuck shit up. A tree is a looong lever. I'm going to use 3/4" x 12 lags, and probably a j bracket on the float end. Eyebolt with cable and chain is ok as well, some people just slot a hole, and I'm sure someone will sell you some fancy ass stuff if you want. One bolt per end- do not put more than one bolt within a foot or so of another or the tree may 'compartmentalize' that area and it could rot out around your hardware. Good idea to space out your beams from the tree- a short piece of galvi pipe and some washers on your lag works well. Good idea to use a safety backup as well, usually an eyebolt and cable. 14" tree is fine depending on species.

I have friends who saw lumber, so I'll probably have $250 into the deck materials. No idea what retail dimensional would run. Looking like about the same in hardware between lags, forged eye bolts, cable stuff, etc. I have builder friends and the all seem to have a window stash for personal projects they've offered up. Ask around. A treehouse needs windows, and free windows saves $$$ on sheathing. I'm going to use cool old single pane ones and hinge them at the top with a simple leg down bottom to keep them open.

Just some ideas. Post up as you go.