How to Build a Tree Hut

Tree huts can come in all shapes and sizes.

A tree hut can provide your child with hours of entertainment. Instead of purchasing a ready-made tree house and spending a lot of money, try building your own. Several factors that come into play include the safety, location and design of the tree hut. Choose a tree that can withstand a storm and is not affected by heavy winds. To prevent serious accidents and to reduce the wind catchment area of the tree hut, build it at a height of 3 feet maximum. Trees that are strong and suitable to carry a tree hut include the oak, beech, maple, fir and hemlock.

Things You'll Need

• Beams Cables, brackets, knee braces Thick bolts Protective gear Paper Pencil Plywood or cladding boards Felt Roof shingles or boards Tools

Instructions

1. Choose a tree that has strong branches. The tree needs to have at least two limbs that branch out in the shape of a "V." Make sure the area underneath the tree is clear so that climbing up into the tree hut will be easy.

2. 

   Stay within your spending budget.

   Make a budget. Set a total amount that you can afford to spend on the tree hut. Budgeting will keep you from spending too much money. Include the tree hut's interior decorations in the budget as well.

3. Design the tree hut on a piece of paper. Nonsquare tree huts are harder to construct than square ones. Also write down the materials you will need on the piece of paper. If desired, you can also design the interior of the tree hut.

4. 

   Schedule a starting and ending date for your tree hut project.

   Set a time frame in which you intend to finish the tree hut. Doing this will motivate you to work on completing the project.

5. Check the building codes and laws for your property. You want to make sure that you are allowed to build your tree hut. You may even be required to get a building permit.

6. Use rigid frame supports to hold up the tree hut. When making the frame, you should think about resisting motion in the branches. Make your support beams in the shape of triangles. According to The Treehouse Guide, ''triangles are the most rigid building shapes.'' Attach the beams to the tree using thick bolts.

7. Decide whether you want to use fixed or flexible joints to attach your tree hut floor to the tree. Fixed joints should be used if you are working on trees that don't move a lot. The Treehouse Guide (see References), offers additional information on support systems, such as metal brackets, cables and knee braces.

8. 

   A ladder might be needed to get into the tree hut.

   Use plywood or wooden cladding boards to make the walls of your tree hut. For the roof, use plywood as a base, cover it with felt and then cover the felt with shingles or boards. You want to make sure the roof won't let any rain through. Build your tree hut so that it surrounds the tree trunk. Use a ladder (or make a ladder) to climb up into the tree hut.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using posts to support part or all of your tree house. This allows for greater design possibilities, especially if the tree you've chosen doesn't have adequate support branches.

References

• The Treehouse Guide: Choosing a Tree