Written by Megha Sharma and published on https://www.homecrux.com/.
Did you ever have a treehouse as a kid? If so, then you had the freedom to immerse yourself in a completely different world. Maybe you remember the summer days in your treehouse, playing cards, reading books, and watching clouds. Recently, though, your child asked what it would take to build a treehouse. So you think to yourself, “Is it even possible?” The short answer is yes. The right tools coupled with a can-do attitude is all you need to build the treehouse of your child’s dreams.
5 Things you Need to Know Before Building a Treehouse
Do you sometimes get bored of living in your conventional family home? You may like the idea of building a small treehouse in your backyard to escape the normal life. Moreover, the idea will make your kids’ childhood memorable and fun-filled. Well, having a treehouse is no more a dream for your kids, as you can build one by yourself, keeping a few things in mind.
You don’t have to worry if you don’t have a sturdy tree in your garden, you can still construct a treehouse of your dreams using wooden panels for support. However, there are a lot of things one should learn before building a treehouse. This guide will tell you everything you need to know before making a safe, long-lasting treehouse in your backyard.
Choose the treehouse design before cutting wood
Before felling wood, it is important to think about the features you and your children would like to have in your treehouse. Be clear, if you just want to make it a playhouse for your kids or a rest house for your guest with all important amenities to spend a night in. You should plan and design the space you need in your treehouse, considering the size and strength of the trees you have in your backyard.
Involve a professional in planning
It is important to involve a professional from the very beginning in your planning so that he can map if supporting branches and ground base is suitable to carry the weight of your treehouse. Also, decide on the space you need in your treehouse, as fitting the floor or platform into a tree is the most difficult part of treehouse building. He will also tell you about the material and tools you require to deck up the structure the way you want.
Choosing an ideal sight and sturdy tree
The most important thing about building a treehouse is choosing an ideal sight and a tree on which you want to construct it. Forget about the ground for a while, the tree you are picking should be sturdy enough to carry the weight of the entire dwelling. Well, it is not that your ground does not play any role, as building a treehouse requires a solid foundation. The ground should not be moist or uneven, and it should be strong enough to bear the weight of the construction. Make sure the tree you choose does not sway when it’s windy; this step will ensure your treehouse stays firm in bad weather conditions.
Consider a suitable method to support the treehouse
It is also important to be aware of the different methods for supporting a treehouse. Go with the one that can carry the weight of treehouse for a longer time. There are mainly two types of treehouse supporting methods, one is a rigid framework, and the other is floating framework (floats slightly). Remember if your tree is not sturdy enough, you will have to ensure there is proper support for dwelling by attaching additional wood pallets or poles from the ground up.
Bolting structure to the tree
Finally, you must consider how you are going to join your house together with the tree. Remember, trees are not happy with nails and screws, and nailing a tree will only decrease its life. Instead of using nails and screws use bolts and ropes to attach treehouse with the tree. Make sure you are not placing bolts too close together (less than 12 inch), as space in between two bolts can reduce strength dangerously due to corrosion. Try to use the minimum number of joints to hold the structure.
Original post https://blog.davey.com/2016/09/removing-tree-roots-above-ground-will-it-harm-or-kill-the-tree/.
