You can already see the look on your kids’ faces when you announce that you’re building them a new tree house in the backyard. In fact, you can’t wait to let them help-building a tree house together will give you plenty of teaching opportunities and allow you to create wonderful memories.
You’re pretty confident that you have a backyard tree that will be great for a tree house, but how can you be sure? After all, your first priority is your children’s safety, and you want to ensure that this tree house is a special, safe place for them to play.
Below are four tips from our Ultimate Tree House Building Guide for Denver’s homeowners. Take a look and contact us with any questions you have!
Tip #1: Choose the Right Tree
You want to choose a backyard tree that will healthily bear a tree house for years. Luckily, Denver trees are generally accustomed to harsh weather and strong winds, so they develop deep root systems and strong limbs that can support lots of weight.
When choosing a tree, look for branches that could bear the weight of the tree house. These branches should be at least eight inches in diameter. You want to choose a hardwood tree, such as:
- Oak
- Maple
- Beech
- Fir
- Hemlock
If the tree in your backyard is a softwood variety, the load-bearing branches should be even thicker.
You want your load-bearing branches to be about 10 feet from the ground. If you situate your tree house farther from the ground, you increase the risk of dangerous falls and of wind damage to the tree.
You don’t want to take any risks with your children’s safety, so once you’ve found a tree that you think is a good fit for a tree house, get it checked out by your local tree specialist. An arborist or tree care professional can inspect the tree and make sure it is healthy and capable of bearing the weight of a tree house and a few kids.
Tip #2: Care for the Tree
When your backyard tree has been cleared by a professional, you want to do everything you can to ensure that the tree stays healthy.
Part of this has to do with the design itself. We’ll discuss more about how to choose a great tree house design for your kids later (see Tip #3: Select Your Design), but know that certain tree house designs can restrict the growth of the tree or damage it in other ways.
For example, you can strangle the tree if you constrict branches with wire or ropes. You can also damage the core of the tree if you use the wrong fasteners or restrict its growth by building to close to the trunk. When you choose your tree house design and tools, make sure a tree specialist approves.
You also need to consider the tree’s biological health. Keep your tree pruned and fertilized, and have it inspected at least once a year. This will help protect the tree, the tree house, and your kids from the dangers of tree rot and decay, insects, and disease.
As you keep your tree strong, you ensure that your tree house will last for years to come. Who knows-if you keep your tree healthy, maybe your grandkids will be playing in the tree house one day!
Tip #3: Select Your Design
There are a ton of tree house design ideas out there. You’ll want to select a design that is best for your kids and your tree. Your tree professional can help you find the right design.
Select a design that spreads the weight of the tree house over the entire base of the tree-this helps distribute weight and adds stability to the house. Your tree house will need plenty of support, so cantilever beams and support them against the trunk of the tree. Ensure that the floor is level and that the bolts supporting the beams are completely secure.
It is a good idea to have a professional help with the building of the house or, at the very least, approve it for children’s use before your kids start climbing all over it.
Tip #4: Make It Cool
Any parent knows that kids can have incredible imaginations. Your kids will turn their tree house into a spaceship, kitchen, fairy tale castle, and pirate ship without skipping a beat, but you can add a couple of features to help their imaginations and summer fun along.
You know your kids best, so you know what they’ll love having in their tree house. These tree house accessory ideas can help:
- A zip line
- A trap door
- Binoculars
- A customized family flag
- A periscope
- A rope swing or ladder
- A slide or fire pole
- A pulley system (for provisions from the kitchen)
- A speaking tube
- A water cannon
Your kids will love whatever space you create for them high up in the trees, and an accessory or two can add to their excitement. Choose a little extra something that will aid your kids on their adventures and help them feel special and loved.
Your backyard tree house will be a scene of childhood memories for years to come. Allow your kids to help and you’ll have plenty of time to bond and enjoy learning together. We hope that you and your kids love your new tree house!
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