Treehouse

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Eli picked this tree for his tree fort.

Tree

Draw up plans…

Attach a couple of 2 x 10s using 1/2 inch lag screws.

Eli using racket wrench to screw two by ten to tree

Install Hurricane Ties.

Eli installing Hurricane Tie on 2 by 10 that is attached to tree. On left is a 2 by 6 joist attached to a 2 by 10 using a Hurricane Tie.

Add 2x6s on top of the beams.  Eli wanted to drill in the screws so I turned the torque all the way down and let him have a shot at it… he is doing all he can to hold the drill!

Eli trying to use a drill ...he can't quite hold it up and position it correctly I originally was going to pour concrete for the posts, but I found these concrete post blocks at home depot which was a lot easier than making sure they get below the frost line, and also makes the tree-house slightly more portable if I should ever need to move it.  Attached 4×4 posts to the outer joists (with two deck screws for now, but added 3/8 x 5.5″ bolts later).  Eli’s job was to make sure everything was level.

Framing of treefort. Beams, joists, and vertical posts attached at each corner.

2x6s for floor boards.  I left a gap between the tree and joists so it can grow a little without affecting the tree fort.

Floor boards are down, Eli on top of treefort. Drill and a box of screws. Eli wearing gloves.

Eli partway on ladder and treehouse surveying floor

Add walls…

Two walls have been added to the treeouse using 2 by 6es and 2 by 4s

Those 45° angles are perfect… Eli leveled them to 45.  We left an opening on two walls so there will be a few ways in and out.

Eli at a side entrace to the tree house, last wall built with an X pattern

Trap door

Trapdoor near trunk of tree

Inside the tree house-- tree trunk coming up in the middle.

One side..

Outside of tree-house showing completed wall

Another side… every side is a bit different.

Another angle outside of tree-house showing wall.

Discussing our plans for the two openings…

Eli in tree house

Add a climbing cargo net from Amazon…

Eli climbing treefort climbing cargo net

Used two screw ground anchors to hold the other end of the net to the ground.

Eli climbing cargo net up to treehouse

Added a 2×4 diagonal brace on each side.  Also notice the bucket connected to a rope and pulley on the right?

Added 2 by 4 diagonal braces

Ran out of color film…

Diagonal brace on back wall... Google turned the photo to black and white

Oh, something came today, we need one more 2×4…

Eli carrying 2 by 4

To support a slide!

Eli attaching two parts of slide with bolts Slide is attached to teehouse. Eli is going down slide.

Ben and Eli pose in treefort

Tree house floor plan showing slide and net

2 thoughts on “Treehouse”

  1. Oh my Ben and Kris, what a fabulous treehouse! Eli has become a handsome young man, he looks so confident and happy. I bet he had a ball working on this project. Hugs to you all. Grandma C

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