Step 2 Planning Stage – This is one of your most important stage.  As I mentioned, for a fun, usable and successful tree house build, many elements need to be considered in the planning stage.  Such as, is it the right tree, will the tree support a structure up in the tree?  If not, you’ll need to build it from the ground and sort of lifting it into the tree.  Also, consider how much room you have, how close are you to your boundry line, how close to the house or property next door, what age and size of people will be using it, what activities do they want to do in it?  Play, spy on things outside of it, have tea parties, play “army”, will they want to camp out and sleep in it, read books, have quiet time, how high off the ground, safety features, how will they get in and out, do you want a slide, a firemans’ pole, a ladder, a ships steering wheel, a periscope, a basket on a pulley to lift things, ie. lunch, into the tree,  a chalkboard, benches, a desk, shelves, a bird house or two, peep holes, port holes, windows -open, plastic, glass.

This would be a good time to choose a theme, such as Pirate, Fairy House, Combat Bunker, Explorers Lookout, Fort, Harry Potter, a Disney movie, or Boys/Girls Club house, Airplane cockpit, Sailing Ship Crows Nest or just about any theme you can imagine or want.

Consider the structure and how it will be built.  What materials will you use?  How strong and sturdy do you want it? Who is going to help you with the heavy lifting? How much will it cost.  And, don’t for get to check local building ordinances for building restrictions.

My first step in Planning was to search the web for tree house examples.  I looked at the type and size of trees used, whether it was built with the ground as the base or was it up in the tree.  I looked at how to get in and out, material used and designs.

Once I had a good idea of what I wanted, I photographed my tree and printed it out.

Then I was able to draw my design (either on the print with pens, etc. or in a drawing program like Paper 53 for the iPad) right on the photo to see what it will look like.  This made it feel like a real project and I was able to make changes until it was what I wanted.  When it was drawn I was able to show it to family and ask for suggestions and what they thought it should look like.  This was very helpful.  Below, is my first, initial plan.  I’ve made changes since then and expect to make more.

After making the initial plan and drawing  I went out to the tree and measured where the structure will actually be.  Then I got out the graph paper and plotted everything out.

Once the family and everyone agrees as best they can, it’s time to start a budget and supply list, go shopping and get to work.

After that, it’s time to begin the actual building.  Let the fun begin!!

My next post will be about Building It with lots of photos.

Thanks for stopping by, John