Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Apr 06, 2009 05:37pm | #1

   I think that the two trunks moving in the wind would destroy the connections you made in pretty short order. And possibly damage the tree, too.

   Keep in mind that the tree is growing. Fastening to the tree is a bad idea all around IMHO.

   Better to support it from the ground and allow room for the tree to move and grow.
2. 
   Piffin | Apr 06, 2009 05:43pm | #2

   different approach to consider. What you present could destroy the tree, IMO.

   A trunk that separates at a sharp angle down low like that is a weak trunk as a general rule and much more likely to split apart as time goes on. A common repair/preventative for this is to run a couple of large long wall bolts through both with large thick washers at the out projections to act like rafter ties in a house to prevent spread.

   so instead of notching and damaging the bark and growth layers on one side to side lag a dubious header in place, I would use wall bolts or a combo large eyebolt and cables to bind the two trunks together at about that level, then lay the tree fort support system across that.

   Trees do move a lot in the wind, so have some of the fort supported on the tree and some on the ground means the structure will be weakened and unsafe sooner than later. secure it all to the tree so it moves with the whole

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   MikeHennessy | Apr 06, 2009 06:43pm | #3

   Here's a couple of interesting pages on the topic:

   http://www.treehouseengineering.com/home.html

   http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/construction/home.html

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   MikeSmith | Apr 06, 2009 06:58pm | #4

   that's a great site..... would like to see the gallery pics of 20 years from now with some kind of history of the projectsMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Apr 06, 2009 07:15pm | #5

   Yeah -- I think I got that link a while back from here. That bolt-on limb concept with the special drill that forms a seat for the washer is pretty cool. And I'd love to talk to that engineer -- I can't begin to imagine what calcs he has to do and what standards he uses for strengths, etc.

   As for looking at these in 20 years, I'm with ya. I have a sneaking suspicion that many that used to be supported by 3 trees will be supported by one or two trees and a steel post, with a nice woodpile nearby. LOL. I can't fathom spending as much $$$ as some of these folks on a structure that's held up by a relatively impermanent "foundation". Still, with care, I suppose the trees could have a useful lifespan as long as the structure's.

   You gotta admit tho', these things are boyhood dreams come true. ;-)

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

4. 
   rez | Apr 06, 2009 08:10pm | #6

   Here's a neighbor's treehouse from 10+ years back. Edited to hide the misc. junk underneath that eventually found it's way to shelter as the years rolled on.

   Simple lags thru PT CCA 2x6s to the 4 trees and some Simpson bracketed 2x6 joists and covered with slabwood floor and walls. I'm thinking must be allot of weight on that critter.

   Innertube rubber gasket/flashing around the tree penetrations on the roof.

   But still solid and still crazy after all these years.

   View Image

   I once saw the local little hitler type insane building inspector drive slowly pass and stop his car for a closer look.

   He was the same guy that made a paragraph in a backsection of the local rag for snooping around on someone's property way out in the sticks

   The homeowner's little dog found him and bit him in theaz requiring a trip to the ER.

   heh heh Still cracks me up thinking about that.

    

5. 
   JMadson | Apr 06, 2009 09:40pm | #7

   Here's a solution I came up with a few years back, still holding up great.

   View Image

   View Image

   View Image