There's just something about a tree fort, that childhood sanctuary that is yours and yours alone that captures the imagination of every child. Whether it's a place to watch the neighbor's dog through a pair of binoculars, a high hide to scheme and plan your next great adventure, or just a place to call your very own where you can indulge your dreams and imagination, a child's tree fort is unquestionably the envy of every other child in the neighborhood.
"I remember mine was pretty high up," Chad Beatty, resident of Galway
and publisher of Saratoga TODAY said about his childhood tree fort. "I
remember I would get into my tree fort and there was a pine tree or
some type of tree a few feet away. Once I got comfortable, I would jump
from my tree fort and catch myself on the tree, and then climb down the
tree that way. So hopefully, I'm going to be able to prevent my son
from doing that."
Beatty, whose son Keegan is five years old, decided he wanted to give his son a chance to have a tree fort of his very own, much like Beatty did when he was younger. From the outset, Beatty knew this wasn't going to be just any tree fort, and certainly not one of the prefabricated models you can purchase online.
"When I decided I was going to build a tree fort, I went online and started looking. And what came up was, it seemed like most of the people bought four by four posts, put them into the ground, and built the fort 'x' amount of feet off the ground," Beatty said. "And I was thinking: that's not a tree fort. When I was little a tree fort was in the trees. It was hanging off, probably very dangerous. So I though, no, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to build it in the tree."
Two or three hours into the project, however, Beatty discovered first-hand just how difficult building a structure off the ground actually is. "I thought, 'So that's why they build it on the ground.' Building it in a tree, if you're trying to build a square, it's very challenging."
The planning stage of building a tree fort, although perhaps the least glamorous aspect of the process, is by no means a stage that can be brushed off or rushed through. Before even stepping foot outside, especially if construction isn't something you're professionally or intimately familiar with, the internet can be a great source of information when looking for design tips and ideas for building a tree fort. You can even rent videos on the subject, such as the title "Measure Twice, Cut Once" for pointers and special design ideas to make yourself more comfortable with the actual construction part of the project.
Once you feel like you've gotten a pretty good idea of the type of tree fort you hope to build, it's time to step out into the backyard and scout out the area for the perfect location.
"Keegan and I walked through the woods for probably two days just trying to figure out the exact right location. What's going to be close enough to the house, but far enough away so you're out on your own and you feel like you're independent? What isn't going to have too much overgrowth, what trees can support you?" These were just a few of the questions Beatty had to consider with his son as they searched for their construction site.
When trying to find the right spot for your tree fort, consider that larger, solid trees are best fit to support the weight of the structure and your child. Better yet, if you have access to a set of sturdy trees grouped together, construction should be even easier and safer, providing additional support and reducing the amount of movement the fort will sway in the wind. Every set up will be different, so once you've decided on the right cluster of trees, go back to your plans and tailor them to fit the site.
When designing your tree fort, try to include a few unique and fun ideas to really peak your child's interest.
"The most exciting thing about it for my son was when I screwed a hook into the tree, attached a pulley, and threw a rope over and down to the ground and tied it to one of his sand buckets," Beatty said. "Keegan was very excited about the tree fort, but when he went out and saw [the bucket] he went nuts. He just goes up and down using that pulley system and pulling the bucket in and out. He thinks it's the coolest thing in the world."
Creating multiple entry points for quick access and escape, a binocular stand for scoping out the neighborhood, or using cargo netting for a rope wall are just some of the ideas you can incorporate into your own project. Talk with your child to see what he or she is looking for in their tree fort, and together the two of you should be able to come up with your own fun and exciting twists.
Above all, safety should be a parent's main concern when building a structure high off the ground for their child to play in.
"You want it to be secure and safe," Jamie Johnson, manager of Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course in Bolton Landing said. Featuring a system of high rope courses and multiple platforms well above the ground, Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course has designed their structures so that none of the trees are harmed in the process by using a unique bracing technique. However, while trying to do as little damage as possible to a tree is certainly a plus, your own child's safety should of course take precedence.
"Make sure, if you're not familiar with building any structure up in a tree, that you talk to a professional first so they can at least give you the proper instructions and design of the actual tree fort. Certainly don't just take a bunch of logs and nail them up there," Johnson said.
Once the tree fort has been built, regular inspections of the structure should be conducted to make sure the integrity of the fort is maintained.
"Our main maintenance is done at the end of and beginning of each year," Johnson said, who indicated that the wear and tear of the winter months, not to mention possible heavy usage during the summer, can gradually lead to structural problems within the fort that can be caught early on with regular inspections. "Check every bolt, every nut, and every piece of wood so that it's thoroughly inspected," Johnson recommended.
Building your child a tree fort can be the experience of a lifetime, and making sure your child is involved in the process can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire experience.
"It's been a wonderful bonding experience for Keegan and I," Beatty said. "Keegan carrying the hammer over to me and giving me the nails or screws one at a time, he's felt so much a part of it. Don't do it by yourself," Beatty recommended. "Do it with them and make them a part of it. It's been a great experience."
Beatty, whose son Keegan is five years old, decided he wanted to give his son a chance to have a tree fort of his very own, much like Beatty did when he was younger. From the outset, Beatty knew this wasn't going to be just any tree fort, and certainly not one of the prefabricated models you can purchase online.
"When I decided I was going to build a tree fort, I went online and started looking. And what came up was, it seemed like most of the people bought four by four posts, put them into the ground, and built the fort 'x' amount of feet off the ground," Beatty said. "And I was thinking: that's not a tree fort. When I was little a tree fort was in the trees. It was hanging off, probably very dangerous. So I though, no, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to build it in the tree."
Two or three hours into the project, however, Beatty discovered first-hand just how difficult building a structure off the ground actually is. "I thought, 'So that's why they build it on the ground.' Building it in a tree, if you're trying to build a square, it's very challenging."
The planning stage of building a tree fort, although perhaps the least glamorous aspect of the process, is by no means a stage that can be brushed off or rushed through. Before even stepping foot outside, especially if construction isn't something you're professionally or intimately familiar with, the internet can be a great source of information when looking for design tips and ideas for building a tree fort. You can even rent videos on the subject, such as the title "Measure Twice, Cut Once" for pointers and special design ideas to make yourself more comfortable with the actual construction part of the project.
Once you feel like you've gotten a pretty good idea of the type of tree fort you hope to build, it's time to step out into the backyard and scout out the area for the perfect location.
"Keegan and I walked through the woods for probably two days just trying to figure out the exact right location. What's going to be close enough to the house, but far enough away so you're out on your own and you feel like you're independent? What isn't going to have too much overgrowth, what trees can support you?" These were just a few of the questions Beatty had to consider with his son as they searched for their construction site.
When trying to find the right spot for your tree fort, consider that larger, solid trees are best fit to support the weight of the structure and your child. Better yet, if you have access to a set of sturdy trees grouped together, construction should be even easier and safer, providing additional support and reducing the amount of movement the fort will sway in the wind. Every set up will be different, so once you've decided on the right cluster of trees, go back to your plans and tailor them to fit the site.
When designing your tree fort, try to include a few unique and fun ideas to really peak your child's interest.
"The most exciting thing about it for my son was when I screwed a hook into the tree, attached a pulley, and threw a rope over and down to the ground and tied it to one of his sand buckets," Beatty said. "Keegan was very excited about the tree fort, but when he went out and saw [the bucket] he went nuts. He just goes up and down using that pulley system and pulling the bucket in and out. He thinks it's the coolest thing in the world."
Creating multiple entry points for quick access and escape, a binocular stand for scoping out the neighborhood, or using cargo netting for a rope wall are just some of the ideas you can incorporate into your own project. Talk with your child to see what he or she is looking for in their tree fort, and together the two of you should be able to come up with your own fun and exciting twists.
Above all, safety should be a parent's main concern when building a structure high off the ground for their child to play in.
"You want it to be secure and safe," Jamie Johnson, manager of Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course in Bolton Landing said. Featuring a system of high rope courses and multiple platforms well above the ground, Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course has designed their structures so that none of the trees are harmed in the process by using a unique bracing technique. However, while trying to do as little damage as possible to a tree is certainly a plus, your own child's safety should of course take precedence.
"Make sure, if you're not familiar with building any structure up in a tree, that you talk to a professional first so they can at least give you the proper instructions and design of the actual tree fort. Certainly don't just take a bunch of logs and nail them up there," Johnson said.
Once the tree fort has been built, regular inspections of the structure should be conducted to make sure the integrity of the fort is maintained.
"Our main maintenance is done at the end of and beginning of each year," Johnson said, who indicated that the wear and tear of the winter months, not to mention possible heavy usage during the summer, can gradually lead to structural problems within the fort that can be caught early on with regular inspections. "Check every bolt, every nut, and every piece of wood so that it's thoroughly inspected," Johnson recommended.
Building your child a tree fort can be the experience of a lifetime, and making sure your child is involved in the process can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire experience.
"It's been a wonderful bonding experience for Keegan and I," Beatty said. "Keegan carrying the hammer over to me and giving me the nails or screws one at a time, he's felt so much a part of it. Don't do it by yourself," Beatty recommended. "Do it with them and make them a part of it. It's been a great experience."
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