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Building
a tree house
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In the movie
Forrest Gump, Forrest said he and his lifelong friend Jenny were so
close growing up that they were like "peas and carrots." That
vegetable combination would be an apt descriptive term for children
and tree houses. Kids love them.
What is it about a tree
house that can put a smile on a child's face? Perhaps it's that such
a perch allows them to be high off the ground and see things that
can't be seen with little feet planted firmly on the ground.
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Maybe it has something to do
with being enveloped by nature -- wind, branches, leaves and birds
and squirrels. Or it might be the independence that comes from
having one's own secret hiding place -- a place from which to "spy"
down upon others. Whatever the reasons, building a tree house can be
an exciting parent-child experience; one that will be remembered
long after the tree house is gone.
A tree house is
essentially a platform upon which there could be a roofed shelter
and an open area, fenced around. There must be a small space for
access by a ladder, but it should be otherwise enclosed to prevent
falls. Unlike plans for a playhouse, those for a tree house are not
feasible because no two trees are alike. Building a tree house is
one of those design-and-build-as-you-go projects.
There
are basic design criteria that will ensure a safe and lasting tree
house without jeopardizing the life of the tree. The process
involves notching and cutting branches and nailing into the tree.
Consult an arborist or tree surgeon for advice so as not to harm the
tree.
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