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The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

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Re: The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

#4

Post by KPGv2 »

I've thought about building a nice treehouse retreat on my property. It'd be a sweet way to avoid increasing property taxes but still have a guest room, or a library. But I live where there are bark scorpions, meaning at night they're crawling all up and down those trees. Would have to be hella sealed.

Re: The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

#5

Post by dannyphantom »

KPGv2 wrote: post #4

I've thought about building a nice treehouse retreat on my property. It'd be a sweet way to avoid increasing property taxes but still have a guest room, or a library. But I live where there are bark scorpions, meaning at night they're crawling all up and down those trees. Would have to be hella sealed.

Terrifying prospect

Maybe a sheet metal "band" around the trunk, several feet off the ground, would be enough to stop the scorpion from being able to make it to the treehouse. If the surface is smooth, the scorpion's tarsal shouldn't be able to find purchase.

Like a 12 to 18-inch wide band of smooth stainless steel or aluminum wrapped around the trunk.

Scrape x-inch bark off > apply metal mesh > 100% silicone sealant > butyl tape > wrapped aluminum > lock in with stainless steel hose clamps. Could even get a design lasered into the metal which might be cool.

Kind of like this from Reddit, but with those add'l steps: https://archive.is/yHYdj

Re: The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

#6

Post by skyberrys »

This was a very compelling read. Everyone feels the lure of climbing to the tree house, yet where did it come from? What motivated our desires for the tree houses? Now we have some answers, they are surprising to me. I guess for myself I did get the idea from reading children's books, The Swiss Family Robinson anyone?

Re: The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

#7

Post by Aeolun »

skyberrys wrote: post #6

This was a very compelling read. Everyone feels the lure of climbing to the tree house, yet where did it come from? What motivated our desires for the tree houses? Now we have some answers, they are surprising to me. I guess for myself I did get the idea from reading children's books, The Swiss Family Robinson anyone?

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything about tree houses, but you don’t have to tell a 7 year old that a tree house would be cool. They’ll already be climbing the trees anyway, bringing up a convenient plank to sit on, then turning it into a pallet you can sit on together, then to cover it with a roof, and when you find our the rain still blows in sideways with walls, that’s childhood to me.

I spent years on that treehouse and then it burned down :(

Re: The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

#8

Post by wood_spirit »

dannyphantom wrote: post #5
KPGv2 wrote: post #4

I've thought about building a nice treehouse retreat on my property. It'd be a sweet way to avoid increasing property taxes but still have a guest room, or a library. But I live where there are bark scorpions, meaning at night they're crawling all up and down those trees. Would have to be hella sealed.

Terrifying prospect Maybe a sheet metal "band" around the trunk, several feet off the ground, would be enough to stop the scorpion from being able to make it to the treehouse. If the surface is smooth, the scorpion's tarsal shouldn't be able to find purchase. Like a 12 to 18-inch wide band of smooth stainless steel or aluminum wrapped around the trunk. Scrape x-inch bark off > apply metal mesh > 100% silicone sealant…

The tree needs the bark to live. Peeling a ring of bark off around the tree is a well known to kill it.

Re: The Tree House: A voyage to the source of a backyard dream

#10

Post by bombcar »

KPGv2 wrote: post #4

I've thought about building a nice treehouse retreat on my property. It'd be a sweet way to avoid increasing property taxes but still have a guest room, or a library. But I live where there are bark scorpions, meaning at night they're crawling all up and down those trees. Would have to be hella sealed.

Check your local permitting - there are often many “structures” that don’t trigger audits or permits but are still usable - outdoor kitchens, tents, etc. a treehouse may just be one option.
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