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How to build a treehouse

Step 6Build the platform

Using 3" deck screws, attach the four 2 x6's perpendicular to one of the other 2 x 6's. Make sure they're spaced so that when you put it up in the tree, the perpendicular joists will miss the tree! With someone's help, put the contraption up in the tree, center it, and tie it down.

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2 comments

Sep 28, 2010. 12:57 AMRicardo Furioso says:

More bolts, in slots, please.
Three per tree in each board are recommended.
Two would be better than what you have.
The problem with your application is that the trees in high winds can exert a HUGE horizontal torque force on the bolt heads that could bend, tear out, or shear them.
What we did in our very similar situation was to drill several holes (just a bit bigger than the bolt diameter) next to each other in the boards.
ooo
Then we chiseled them out into slots.
(___)
Then added a bolt with a BIG washer in the middle of each slot.
(_O_)
This design allows the trees to move in high winds independent of each other without snapping or bending the bolts.
Also the bolts should NOT be tightened. The washers should be able to rotate. This allows the bolts to move side to side in high winds, and for the whole structure to "give" a little.
If you think of the tree as a huge lever, and the distance the wind can move it both ways, you start to understand the amazing forces at work here.
We love your treehouse.
Come to think of it, we love all of them.

Sep 28, 2010. 8:35 PM

makendo (author) says:

I disagree about the "3 bolts per tree per board argument" - see this page for why. As for the rest; read step 4.

Sep 29, 2010. 11:07 AMRicardo Furioso says:

Whooops.
You're right about Step 4.

Aug 4, 2010. 11:53 PMWerner111 says:

I would have added another bolt in for each tree, but it looks good :)

Aug 5, 2010. 7:47 AM

makendo (author) says:

I'm pretty comfortable with the bolts as they are for this little treehouse, but overengineering is no bad thing either. Better than putting extra bolts though would be to use bigger ones; this page explains why really well (and also points out that 1/2" lag screws are insufficient!).
Anyway, thanks - and I can confirm the treehouse is still standing :)