We all once played children's games and built various huts on the ground, and some even built tree houses. Such games brought a lot of joy and unforgettable emotions.

What are tree houses?

What is a tree house? This is a constructed building in the root of a tree that is above the ground and can be attached to one or more tree trunks. Such a structure can be not only a place for children to relax and play, but also a place for them to live. Tree houses are good because their construction does not pollute the environment, and the forest remains safe and sound; trees are not cut down, but quite the contrary, they ensure the preservation of nature.

For settlements in tropical forest areas, such structures are built not only on trees, but also on stilts to protect them from living creatures that live on the ground.

Such tree houses have been built since ancient times, and in some tribes and among different peoples this is the only solution for organizing their housing. If earlier these were ordinary structures, today with the development of technology there are many opportunities to make such a house cozy and suitable for games and living.

Today, the idea of ​​building houses on trees has reached a high level, not only for fun, but also for relaxation: the construction of restaurants for a pleasant pastime is actively developing, and some entrepreneurs are even building entire apartments on trees. For example, in Sweden, in the municipal park of Vasteras, there is a tree house, which has two balconies, a kitchen block, a bed, a toilet, a hammock on the veranda, and a miniature library. To get to this house, you need to climb the ladder and enjoy the mysterious atmosphere in it.

Interest in tree houses has grown so much that entrepreneurs are actively using this idea for their profit: they are building restaurants and hotels that not only have the ordinary appearance of a wooden house, but also a very original design, where you can relax and have a good time in your free time.

For example, Tom Chudley hand-built a tree house, which he called the “Free Spirit Sphere.” This building is located in Canada and can be purchased for $150,000 (this is the minimum price), but ordinary tourists can rent it for weekends. This structure is suspended from a tree and appears to be in the form of a round sphere, which is equipped with electricity, a sound system, a telephone, beds, a microwave, a refrigerator and a bathroom.

And the largest tree house in the world was built in Alnwick Gardens, which are located in Scotland, and costs £3.3 million. This is a whole city where restaurants, shops and canteens are concentrated.

Original ideas for a tree house. What you need to know

There are these types of houses:

Asian - most often they are two-story, and the roof is made of straw.

A playroom - it will be very cool if it is equipped with a slide, along which you can go straight down to the pool or sandbox.

Eco-friendly - such an object has a creative shape in the form of an elongated bulb on a tree trunk.

Futuristic - created from aluminum plates. You can relax here on a summer day and have breakfast in the fresh air.

It is important to understand that you cannot build a house on every tree. The root system should be well developed and strong, and the wood should be dense. It is better to choose ash, maple, oak, and fir. Under no circumstances should you build a structure on poplar, willow, chestnut or linden. In addition to the fact that the plants bloom profusely, which can provoke allergies, they have weak roots. The tree should not be shabby or old. It should have strong horizontal branches that will help securely secure the house.

Tree house for children and adults

Having shown their imagination, anyone can buy a ready-made house or build it themselves, equipping it with the necessary equipment. You can make a house in the form of a ship’s deck or in the form of a small castle, and choose furniture that will be comfortable and remarkable for future residents or visitors.

Tree houses can also serve as an area for creative inspiration, a workshop for artists, or a place to relax with friends. If you are used to solitude, if your work causes inconvenience to residents and your household, if you just like to listen to loud music, then a tree house is an excellent solution to this problem. For relaxation, you can also build a small terrace by placing a table and chairs there, you can make the ceiling transparent and protect it from rain with glass, so that you can admire the stars in the evening and have a romantic holiday with your loved one.

If you have a plot of land, then you can make a unique tree house and live freely in it, equipped with everything you need. This is also a brilliant idea, because you won’t have to level the surface to build a house on the ground, nor will you have to destroy trees and vegetation to build the foundation house.

This idea is becoming increasingly popular and if you are thinking of building your own tree house, don’t hesitate, because soon there may not be any free trees left to build them!

A house on a tree. Photo

A tree house is one of the childhood fantasies that parents can realize. To build a treehouse with your own hands, you will need space, time, building materials and a little imagination.

Choosing a location and house layout

Despite the name, the structure is still supported not on the tree itself, but on stilts located near it. However, the choice of tree should be approached responsibly. It is better if the tree has a developed root system, a strong trunk at the base and double or triple branching at the top. Will fit well oak, maple or ash. Birch, willow or poplar are not the best choices. Before making a tree house, you should cut off all old and diseased branches.

The next stage is creation drawing or plans for a future house. The optimal height of the structure above the ground is 2 meters.

Tree house plans. Photo

Step-by-step instructions for building a tree house

Before you make a treehouse with your own hands, you should make sure you have the necessary materials and tools. Depending on the design of the house, you will need:

Installation of main supports

Making a treehouse stable is a challenge main supports. To install them, you need to attach one end of the board to the trunk of the first tree, and the other to the trunk of the second tree. At the same time, the height of the board should be 30 cm below the floor level of the future house. The second board is fixed in the same way, on the other side of the tree trunks.

DIY tree house. Photo instructions

Installation of cross beams and diagonal supports

Cross beams of the appropriate size are attached to the main supports with the same spacing. At the same time, tree trunks are located between them. The tree house will be more stable and safe if it is reinforced with additional diagonal supports, fixed to tree trunks.

Rope mechanism

Rope for delivery to the house and lowering baskets of food, household and other necessary items, it is attached at the stage of starting construction of the house. During work, a rope can be used to lift tools and building materials.

Tip: You can attach a carabiner to the lower end of the rope for mountaineering.

DIY tree house. Photo instructions

Installation of floors, walls and railings

The boards are attached to the cross beams using a screwdriver. It is important to correctly calculate the size and position the holes for the barrels. The further growth of the tree and the movement of its branches should be taken into account.

DIY tree house. Photo instructions

construct walls and railings can be made from boards, plywood or other materials. It is optimal if the walls are solid, with a small gap between the boards. The entire structure must be as strong as possible so that the child cannot get stuck or fall through any openings.

Installation of roof and stairs

When building a treehouse with your own hands for children, you can use various materials to roofs. In this case, a camouflage tarpaulin is used, which is quite easily attached to the beams and is a reliable shelter from wind and precipitation.

Upon completion of construction, it is necessary to install stairs. Its design is not so important, the main thing is that it is stable and practical.

DIY tree house. Video instruction

A tree house is every child's dream, but not every one of us understands how to make it come true. That is why we have prepared detailed construction instructions, with the characteristics of the materials and the correct construction sequence.

A tree house is a complex building for any summer resident, and the reason for this is some of its features. Firstly, a base that is not installed on a hard surface, but remains in the air, suspended. Secondly, the design device, which is unusual and must comply not only with safety and reliability standards, but also be carefully thought out in terms of construction around one or more vertical supports.

Please do not undertake this matter if you:

• Unprepared for a difficult task;
• Not confident in their own abilities;
• Do not have experience in construction;
• Not ready to work with drawings and exact dimensions;
• Worried about costs and trying to save on parts.

Each such argument is a limitation, because failure to comply with important requirements for the safety and quality of the building can lead to unpleasant consequences!!!

If you are full of energy and desire, have repeatedly worked with wood, metal, frame structures, or were simply engaged in construction at the dacha (gazebos, outdoor showers, fences, etc.), you can begin construction, but only by adhering to the work plan.

We draw up a construction plan

At first glance, this is a simple plan and estimate, but it is necessary to take into account all the design features, be sure to adhere to the choice of high-quality materials and fasteners, blocking technologies on vertical bases, and so on. But, by and large, if you are building a house that is not heavy and not large, for the play of one or two children, and even on several supports or on the trunk of an old and powerful tree, then you don’t need to resort to cosmic calculations. All that will be necessary in this situation is to try to do everything correctly, with accurate calculations, not forgetting that it will be your children who will play at the top!

When drawing up a plan, it is necessary to take into account the location, the density of the soil, and also determine in advance the tree or several trees on which the house will be built.

Choosing a tree and making preparations

Choosing a tree is very simple. It should have a thick and powerful trunk, not old or dilapidated, preferably straight.

The tree will need to be prepared for building a house on it. To do this, all the growth that is in the way below is removed, branches at a height of several meters are cut off so that you get one or more trunks, which will become the foundation of your structure.

Choosing a tool for the job

They say that a good craftsman can easily cope with construction with just an axe, but we will not tempt fate and complicate the task, because quality can be achieved with a good tool. That's why we choose professional tools for working with wood. This should be a hammer and mallet, a hacksaw and a circular saw, a grinder and a drill.

As accessories and consumables, we need to prepare a water level, a tape measure, a pencil and paper, bolts and nuts, screws and ropes, corners and special fasteners.

In addition, we will need materials to protect the building and its decoration - impregnations, varnishes, paints, as well as tools for work - brushes, containers, etc.

Do not forget about ensuring comfort and your own safety; use plastic goggles, gloves, a respirator, and thick work clothes.

Building the base of the house

Having chosen a place and wood for the structure, having purchased all the tools and consumables, materials and protective equipment, we begin the difficult work.

First, the base of the tree house should look something like our photo.

As you can see, this is a solid structure that rests on a tree trunk and supports. Naturally, everything will be simpler for you, but you should understand that a correct and reliable foundation design looks exactly like this.

To build this type of platform, it is necessary to secure supports around the tree, which must be dug in and concreted. To increase stability, each support can be equipped with an armored belt, which will create serious interference with vibrations and swinging of the supports.

The installation depth of the supports is at least 100-120 cm. The diameter of each support is 15-20 cm if we are talking about a log, and approximately 15x20 cm if we are talking about a beam.

Remember that for the durability of such supports they should be pre-treated with drying oil and varnish, and the part that goes into the ground with grease, oil waste, and other similar materials. In addition, during concreting, spacers should be installed for the supports so that the supports do not move while the mortar is drying.

Installing the platform on supports

The platform must be strictly horizontal and with correct weight distribution so that all supports and trunks of a tree or several trees bear the same weight. It is also worth considering the time of subsequent equipment of the playhouse so that redistribution does not happen in the wrong direction.

To build the platform, choose high-quality material, but not too bulky or heavy. A beam of 5x10 cm or 6x10 cm will be enough to produce the frame.

One carrier is immediately fixed, horizontally, and always with three connection points to avoid deflection in the middle. To do this, the beam is attached to two supports, and its middle part is fixed to the tree trunk in the middle.

Fastening is carried out using bolts that pass through the contacting parts. You should not use screws or self-tapping screws here, because the structure should be strong.

We install all the load-bearing elements sequentially, as in the first example, and be sure to maintain the levels and quality of the fastenings.

If the house is built only on trunks, without additional supports, then special spacers are installed under the extreme parts of the supporting platform, which provide stability and additional load-bearing capacity.

These spacers are installed on through bolts and are clamped well, but be sure to take into account the possible growth of the tree trunk in the near future. To do this, materials can be placed on each side of the fastening that will create ultimate strength only for a certain time, for example, several years. It could even be burlap, folded into 4 or 8. It will immediately give the desired density, but after a couple of years it will sag under pressure or grow into the bark. Thus, the tightness of the fastening will not be lost.

Base for flooring

Load-bearing beams and supports are just the beginning of the structure; then we build the base for the flooring. It is much easier with it, because there is somewhere to lay the transverse load-bearing elements - directly on the frame.

The frame may look something like the photo below. It must be durable and can withstand a lot of weight, ensuring safety.

Do not forget that even the transverse bases for the flooring must be well secured. Here you should use special plates or a metal corner, which will prevent wooden materials from swaying and spoiling the stability of the structure.

In addition, you can always purchase specialized parts that are designed for the construction of wooden buildings. They look like this:

Laying the floor

When the base is ready, well inspected and completely satisfactory, you can move on to laying the floor. Here it is worth using edged and sanded boards, which should be pre-sized and cut.

Now we are drawing up a plan for the flooring. We need it for the reason that in the middle we have at least one tree trunk that will need to be walked around. By the way, this is why it is necessary to create additional tree-trunk platforms on which to rely in such a case.

Using professional tools and preliminary markings, we cut boards for the flooring in the house. We check the finished material again and install it in its rightful place, securing it sequentially, board by board, with self-tapping screws.

Construction of walls, railings and stops

The platform for construction is completely ready, and now we just have to limit the space inside the house, and this can be done with the help of strong walls.

To build them, we need to create foundations around the perimeter of the platform. This can be done by attaching to the support beams or even to the bases of the floor platform. The main thing is to tighten the walls along the entire outline of the house, thereby creating the strength of the walls.

The production of limiters and walls will require us to spend additional timber and boards, but here we can already use thinner material.

Remember that the safety of children depends on the seriousness of the approach to the construction of walls and restraints!!!

Roof structure

Like any house, ours must be covered so that the cheerful children are not taken by surprise by the cool rain. The construction of the roof is quite simple. Often, this is an ordinary and inexpensive canopy or a special lightweight roof made of polycarbonate or ondulin. But a frame is also needed for it. It is installed on the top of the walls, which we have already built and tightened, and is also attached to tree branches up the trunk.

As a result, you can get a similar foundation for the roof:

Building a staircase

Here is one of the popular options for stairs for such structures. Of course, it can be done differently, sometimes even, but it’s up to you to choose!

The last thing you should think about is the appearance and practicality of the stairs, because initially only safety. Of course, if the treehouse is located at a very low altitude, then the staircase can be decorative or even exclusive, but for higher houses it is worth attaching railings to the staircase.

Finishing, protection and decor

Now the finishing and sewing is done, for which we use all the materials described above. It is also worth using wood preservatives to prevent insects or weather conditions from ruining your work in just a few years.

Afterwards, decorate the tree house, place inside children's furniture, pillows and blankets, a table for tea parties and other accessories necessary for games and relaxation.

Building a tree house (video)

Building a playhouse in a tree is difficult., but only in compliance with all rules and safety requirements. Otherwise, this is an almost standard building, which we often encounter at our own dacha.

Reviews and comments

Vera 02/25/2014

Without a doubt, all children dream of a tree house. This is their refuge, where they can play, share their secrets, in general, it’s like their separate, magical little world. It’s a pity that I didn’t have such a house when I was a child, but I would really like to build something similar for my children. Perhaps we can do this at the dacha, at least we will try.

Natalya 03/04/2014

Our kids have pretty much everything they want now, and if my three-year-old asks for a treehouse in a couple of years, I'll make sure he has one. It’s just scary because of the height, you never know. I wonder what height the author proposes to put the house at, or does it depend on the crown of the tree? And how durable is this structure? Does it need to be painted or varnished so that it does not swell from moisture?

Vladimir 06/16/2014

I would also be happy to build such a house for my daughter; I also have suitable trees on my summer cottage. I’m still afraid to build because my daughter is only 4 years old; she’ll have to be nearby all the time. I'll probably take it next year. I would like to correct only one thing in this design. I don't want to attach the structure to a tree trunk. Cutting down a branch is one thing, but screwing a fastener into the trunk is another. I don’t want to destroy the trees, I’ll think about something without this.

Victor 04/29/2015

I had a house like this when I was a child. It is great. I want to build one for my children, but my wife won’t allow it - she’s afraid. So we are still arguing about this issue. In the meantime, we just have a mini cold room on our site.

Denis 12/21/2015

Well, you definitely shouldn’t do it too high; a 5-year-old child could easily fall. A couple of meters is enough for your son, and you have to do it thoroughly. It would be nice to put a net underneath for insurance. The house, of course, needs to be treated with special anti-rotting agents and painted. Then he will delight your little son longer!
I remember making similar designs with friends as a child. I was already about 12 years old. At this age, it is quite possible to make a house at a height of 4-6 meters. Teenagers are more aware of the danger, and five-year-old children are not yet so strong and dexterous.

Tatyana 07/16/2017

I love raspberry and strawberry compotes. Getting a piece of summer from the cellar in the cold winter is an indescribable pleasure! Sometimes I replace sugar with honey if I want the compote to acquire medicinal anti-cold properties. If I want something original, I dilute the raspberry compote with a cold decoction of ginger and mint - the taste is simply magical! If you haven’t tried it, definitely try it!

Add a comment

Who didn't dream of a tree house as a child? If your dream never came true, now you can make it come true and make your children happy. Building a small tree house with your own hands is not so easy, but it is possible, especially if you follow our instructions.

For it you need to find a suitable tree with two or three large branches located close to each other. The project uses available materials, such as wooden beams, boards from an old fence and tarpaulin. The tarpaulin is not waterproof, but the hut is relatively dry even in the rain.

The more large branches on the tree, the better - the house can be made larger. Decide on the height. 3 meters is considered optimal: high enough to take your breath away, but not very scary.

Treehouse materials

To make a small tree house with your own hands, you will need:

• Two four-meter boards with a cross section of 50*250 mm
• Six four-meter boards 25*150 mm
• Six three-meter beams 50*150 mm
• Three four-meter beams 50*150 mm
• Four long, galvanized, 12mm key screws with washers
• Eight galvanized beam fasteners
• Eight galvanized plates with holes
• Nails, screws, block for 6mm rope
• Tarpaulin
• Board panels from an old fence or material for their construction
• Sketch of a house. The sketch does not have to be thorough.

Tools

• Hammer
• Hacksaw (preferably a reciprocating saw)
• Level
• Square
• Roulette
• adjustable wrench
• Drill (preferably cordless)
• Ladder or stepladder
• Router and miter saw (optional)
• Sandpaper
• Plane.

Making a tree house with your own hands

Take a wooden lath and secure one end of it to a branch 30 cm below the future floor. Align the rail and nail the second end to another branch. Drill holes with a diameter of 10 mm in the branches directly above the rail. Install the same strip on the other side of the tree. Make sure that the second rail is horizontal and in the same plane as the first.

Remove the slats and measure the distance between the holes. Subtract this distance from 4 meters, divide the resulting result by 2. Set aside the distance obtained as a result of the calculations from the edge of the boards 50 * 250 mm. At the marked distance in the middle of the board, drill a hole with a diameter of 16 mm. Drill the second hole, setting aside the distance between the holes in the wood from the first. Drill holes in each board. If there are more branches between the outer branches, drill holes through which screws can be driven into them as well. Make grooves in the boards between the holes using a hacksaw or reciprocating saw. Later you need to install wooden spacers in these grooves, which will fix the support beams at a certain distance from each other and at some distance from the tree branches. It is not advisable to screw support beams tightly to the branches; there must be space that allows the tree to grow and also to sway within reasonable limits in the wind.

Secure the support beams to the branches using screws and an adjustable wrench. You have already prepared the holes for the screws. Do not screw boards close to branches. Install spacers.

Cut the decking boards to the desired length. Between the boards you need to leave gaps of about a centimeter. The holes will serve for drainage. Cut two boards 50*150 corresponding to the length of the flooring, make the other four boards a little shorter, cutting 100 mm from each.

Using 75mm screws, attach four boards (those 100mm shorter) to one long board 50*150mm. Place the short boards perpendicularly at equal distances, making sure that the prepared frame fits over the tree branches on top of the support beams. Get someone to help you and lift the frame onto the tree. Align the frame and secure it with a rope to the support beams.

Screw the second long board to the frame to create a square platform.

Attach the platform to the support beams. The easiest way to do this is to use metal plates with holes. Install fasteners at the corners of the platform. All fasteners must be galvanized.

To make the platform stable, you need to install supports. To make them, use 50*100 mm boards. It is advisable to pre-cut one edge of each support at an angle of 45 degrees. Place overlapping supports on the trunk and attach to the branches using 200mm socket screws.

Hang a block with rope. The winch can be left so that children can lift toys up the tree, but during the construction phase this device will be very useful to us. Stretch a rope through the block, attach a carabiner to one end and hang the bucket. To attach the block you need to select a suitable branch. If there is no such branch, you will have to attach a beam to the trunk. The beam must be positioned quite high above the platform and securely secured with screws. The beam overhang must be large enough. You can do something more cunning by taking a long beam, which will also serve as the ridge of the roof.

Climb onto the platform and secure the decking. There is nothing complicated here, but you will have to make cuts in the boards through which the branches will pass. The gap between the boards and branches should be about 20-50 mm.

Build a landing from scrap boards.

At each corner of the platform, install a meter-long stand made of 50*100 mm timber. Screw the railings from the same timber to the posts with screws. Cut the corners of the railings with a miter saw or hacksaw at 45 degrees.

The space under the railings must be closed. Plywood, fence boards or other sheet material are suitable for this. You can simply stuff planks between the posts.

Ladder. You can hang a rope ladder, but this option is not suitable for small children. You can make something like a climbing wall. To do this, install two beams at an angle and nail the planks to them close to each other. If possible, buy special hooks or simply cut out the steps. To do this, drill a few holes around the perimeter and then make cuts using a reciprocating saw or small hacksaw. The task will be greatly simplified if you have a router on your farm. Sand the edges of the holes with sandpaper.

Roof. At a height of a little more than 2 meters above the platform, screw two hooks into the branches. Pull the cable between them. Throw a piece of tarpaulin over the cable. Screw supports to the railings, which will slightly raise the lower edges of the roof. The little tree house is ready.