At some point, everyone has wanted a tree house. Imagine a closed-off space where you’re free to do whatever you want. This might not sound so difficult to come by as an adult, but as a child it’s nearly impossible.
This fascination continues to dwell in the in the minds of employees at Certified Platinum Agents. Whether big or small, these lofted abodes hold a special place in our imaginations. As it turns out, we aren’t the only ones.
Recently, we spoke with one of the leading professional tree house builders in the country and they walked us through the finer points of building a tree house.
Some of the most common questions about tree houses are:
- Are they harmful to trees?
- Are they legal?
- Where should you build a tree house?
Tree Huggers with Hammers
The most common question asked to most companies is whether the structures hurt the trees. They don’t. In fact, they go through great lengths not to endanger the trees.
The basis for everything is to try to get good tree house knowledge out there and tell people you can build a good, friendly tree house.
The most common misconception is that placing bolts in trees is dangerous.
The attachment system that used does not hurt the tree and they work to minimize the number of times they penetrate the tree. It’s better to drill into a tree than to strap something around it, as some people propose.
Make It Legal
Each area has its own rules and regulations that govern tree house construction. However, tree houses will typically exist in a “gray area.” In many cases, tree houses will be under 200 square feet, meaning they are classified as “temporary structures.”
What gets sticky is when tree house enthusiasts want to hang out in luxury.
The plumbing is really a kind of a make-or-break spot and zoning and building officials view that through a different lens than if it was a shack in your backyard.”
And, yes, there are many folks who want access to plumbing when they are 10 or 15 feet in the air. To keep the rustic appeal, companies often build fake trees to cover piping.
Find a Tree, Buy a Tree
The most obvious necessity for building a tree house is having a tree. The larger the house, the more trees you will need. A large tree house would need trees that are 16 feet from each other. In addition, the trees themselves should be 16 to 18 inches round.
Of course, there are ways around not owning more than one tree.
The other real option is to make a fake tree. It looks like a fake tree that is stopping at the right height under your tree house.
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