Treehouse / Elevated Hunting Blind

[Montana]

Hi there...

I plan to build the kids a treehouse this summer and maybe get a little personal use out of it in the fall

Does anyone have any experience with this type of platform? Seems to be the simplest but concerned how long it will last with the growth of the tree.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

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[kidoggy]

for a long term stand I believe I would use posts to hold it up and build around the tree but leave a bit of room for growth.I would not nail directly to the tree .
to seal top and bottom, I would build a ring that could easily be removed and widened to trunk diameter as tree increases in size.
it may take a bit more lumber but I think ,over time , you will be happier with that method

but that's just how I would do it. I have been around construction all my life but I am by no means ,a framer.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Watch treehouse masters. They show a bunch of was to make platforms. Or the trusty YouTube

 

[Fink]

I've never built a treehouse, and I've never built a deer stand in the exact style you've posted... But, I have stayed at a Holiday Inn, and I have built a bunch of tree stands out of treated 2x4's.
The downfall to most stands/treehouses, is wind and tree movement when you try to use two trees to build the stand. Using the design you've got above, the tree will just grow around the lumber, with no ill effects to the tree house.
Our deer stands are basically half of what you've got shown above, with support 2x6's coming up from the tree to the outer end of the stand, at 45 degree angles. We have tree stands that are still very solid and sturdy, that were built in the mid 1980's.

 

[sneakypete]

I'd recommend knee supports angling from the tree trunk up to the joists at least four!

 

[Montana]

Thanks everyone. Think I've gotten some good ideas... we'll see how it comes together.

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[packmule]

Use 2x8x8 for platform, extend past the tree and use 4x4sfor legs. Can go 4'x8' or a full 8x8 for a Condo.

 

[HuskyMusky]

can also make it almost like a giant ladder stand...

ie. the ladder/2 posts could also act as supports.


I 2nd the idea of allowing for growth/expansion.

 

[Rich M]

I was gonna tell you to just put up a ladder stand - cheaper, easier, etc. Then remembered the kiddos. I had a "tree fort" built about 12 ft up off the side of a big shed. Fun stuff for kids. Glad my bones had not calcified when I was jumping out with shopping bag parachutes.

 

[RICMIC]

Use lag screws instead of nails or deck screws for attaching the support joists or beams to the tree. I try not to "bracket" or box in the tree, but instead build a solid support structure between several trees, and then make a conventional joist platform across those to put your floor on. This is pretty much what they do on Treehouse Masters, only on a much larger scale. They do use a special steel stud, but on a smaller build such as you plan to do, the galvanized lag screws (with a large washer) will do the job. A treehouse that I built for my boys 25 years ago still stands strong, but for hunting stands, I just buy the ladder stand these days. Good luck.

 

[Montana]

Use lag screws instead of nails or deck screws for attaching the support joists or beams to the tree. I try not to "bracket" or box in the tree, but instead build a solid support structure between several trees, and then make a conventional joist platform across those to put your floor on. This is pretty much what they do on Treehouse Masters, only on a much larger scale. They do use a special steel stud, but on a smaller build such as you plan to do, the galvanized lag screws (with a large washer) will do the job. A treehouse that I built for my boys 25 years ago still stands strong, but for hunting stands, I just buy the ladder stand these days. Good luck.

So this is actually spot on with my plan. Leave the washer a little loose, 1/16 of an inch, each time it tightens up I'll loosen the lag a quarter turn or so. The roof will be "boxed" in, well the top will be and only attached by the lags. And same theory, as the washers tighten I'll loosen.

Do you have any pics of yours by chance?

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[RICMIC]

Sorry MONTANA, no pics as I sold that house 15 years ago. I was able to check it out a short while back while hunting in my old "back yard". It should also go without saying to use only treated lumber for anything that is exposed to the weather, and especially for the support structure.

 

[buckbull]

I think I'd go with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ4kYIlCRqE

 

[Montana]

Wow... that is actually pretty high tech for 1963 I'm impressed.

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[Montana]

Sorry MONTANA, no pics as I sold that house 15 years ago. I was able to check it out a short while back while hunting in my old "back yard". It should also go without saying to use only treated lumber for anything that is exposed to the weather, and especially for the support structure.

I plan to actually treat it after its all up. I'm a big fan of Lifetime Wood Treatment. I don't have the 60 years behind me to see if it lives up to its claim, but so far so good. Plus it gives it a super cool look.

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[Montana]

Here's some updates... having fun.

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[sneakypete]

Montana, very nice!