Planing to build a treehouse - Advice please

[KevF]

We have a fairly tall tree in the garden but the trunk isnt that huge, say 4-5ft circumference.

Would love to build a tree house for my three kids as the smallish den we built has gone down a storm.

Was thinking of getting three telegraph poles and sinking them upright next to the tree to provide the corners to a decking veranda. Then, on top of the decking, building the house with a substantial railing around it and a roof. From the top of the rail to the overhang of the roof, I was thinking of getting netting to prevent any children leaning over.

From the bottom of the decking, I want to hang a climbing net plus a rope ladder.

Around the base will be rubber safety matting.

Anyone built one and got pictures? Any advice or best bets?

Looking to source the netting etc if anyone has any contacts too.

As we are out in the sticks and not overlooked I was thinking of going to a height of around 5 foot to the veranda. Any idea what is permissable before having to get planning involved?


Thanks in advance....


I feel a pictorial coming on....

Edited by KevF on Tuesday 30th March 11:57

[anonymous-user]

Might be worth buying a den/wendy house or summer house and modding it to fit! poles sound a good idea for stability!

[matts4]

Will you have any issues trying to sink the poles with the roots from the tree?

[madbadger]

Don't get netting to stop them falling over.

One of my best childhood memories was plucking up the courage to 'bungy' jump out of the tree house sat in a tyre swing.

Don't bother with bouncy floors either as it would spoil the danger aspect.

Just make sure all the rope is strong and attached well.

[Dave^]

I wish you were my Dad.... that sounds awesome!!

Dave^ - Aged 28 - (Under privileged child)

[sassthathoopie]

5 foot high veranda...safety netting...rubber floor. This is a private family tree house not a heath and safety executive's wet dream.

The whole point of a tree house is a source of freedom, adventure, and an element of danger - and dare I say it built by the kids themselves (possibly with adult assistance)

If you can't give your kids the freedom to be excited and entertained being outside then you can't complain about them becoming addicted to playstation/web as they grow up.

[B17NNS]

Sounds like an ace project.

We need plans man, proper man drawings with follow up photos and reports.

[herbialfa]

Having been there Kev, go for it!

As its of a timber nature then Planning should look at it as a temporary structure therefore not requiring PP

[Red&WhiteMonkey]

I'd speak to your local planning office first - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politic...

[andy43]

KevF said:

We have a fairly tall tree in the garden but the trunk isnt that huge, say 4-5ft circumference.

Would love to build a tree house for my three kids to fall out of as the smallish den we built isn't high up enough.

Was thinking of getting three telegraph poles and sinking them upright next to the tree to provide the corners to a decking veranda. Then, on top of the decking, building the house with a substantial drop around it and a roof wired up to the mains. From the floor to the overhang of the roof, I was thinking of getting nooses to catch any children leaning over.

From the bottom of the decking, I want to hang a climbing net plus a rope ladder made of barbed wire. With big holes in.

Around the base will be razor wire covering a waterfilled pit of piranhas.

Anyone built one and got pictures? Any advice or best bets?

Looking to source the netting etc if anyone has any contacts too.

As we are out in the sticks and not overlooked I was thinking of going to a height of around 35 foot to the veranda. Any idea what is permissable before having to get planning involved?


Thanks in advance....


I feel a ClaimsDirect advert coming on....

Edited by KevF on Tuesday 30th March 11:57

Edited in the Spirit of Adventure and rebellion against the health and safety pansies.
Yes, I have kids. Battered and bruised kids, but kids nontheless.

Oh, and make sure you don't actually nail into the tree - try and build up around it as any punctures into the bark with nails will eventually weaken the tree and kill it. Anything clamped around the trunk will need a bit of free movement to allow for growth. I'd be looking at buying a secondhand kids playhouse and cannibalising it for bits - basic frame, windows, door etc. Enjoy!

[KevF]

To be honest, I am not doing the 'over safe' bit for my kids but for any planning issues there might be. Although friends kids jumping outta the tree house might be another reason.

I will draw up some drawings and see what I can get done. There is around a 25-30ft distance between the tree and the garage and was thinking of installing a zip line from the tree house down to the floor level ( and straight into the garage wall...;) )

Similar to this but without the staircase..




I figure using the telegraph poles would mean not having to drill into a decent tree and would give a sturdier platform base....roots could be an issue though


I feel a plan coming on.......

[Shaolin]

I did a similar thing for my son but on a smaller scale (previous house, no pics I'm afraid). I used rustic fence posts for support, they don't need to be too far in. No idea of planning permission, I didn't think about it, it didn't overlook anyone and no-one complained. Son and mates loved it, it got loads of use. Someone WILL fall out of it at some point though, I dug out the ground beneath it about 4-6" and laid a thick mat of bark chips which needed topping up every now and then.

[Si 330]

This web site has some good info for you
http://www.thetreehouseguide.com/workflow.htm

[andy43]

Si 330 said:

This web site has some good info for you
http://www.thetreehouseguide.com/workflow.htm

That's a really good website!
<stares at trees in garden then goes off to mess with google sketchup>

[Meeja]

KevF said:

Similar to this but without the staircase..

Want.

And I'm 41!

[Dave^]

So, when we're all finally taxed off the roads, will PistonHeads become TreeHouse... Size Matters?!

[hidetheelephants]

My old man has put an old rowing boat in a tree for my niece and nephews, will post a pic when I find one.

[B17NNS]

hidetheelephants said:

My old man has put an old rowing boat in a tree

The less said about that epic drinking session the better.

[koolchris99]

We have something similar in our garden, ill go take some photos later..

We also have a 2 story wood fort which was the other base in which to mount attacks on the baddies in the tree house.

only problem is im now 23 and cant fit in either.

[andy43]

B17NNS said:

hidetheelephants said:

My old man has put an old rowing boat in a tree

The less said about that epic drinking session the better.

Where better place to hide elephants than in a rowing boat, up a tree?
They'll never find 'em.