Tree Top Builders Hosts First Tree House Building Workshop

Sept. 23, 2009 - PRLog -- Tree Top Builders’ first tree house building workshop was a huge success! Attendees travelled great distances (including one from Canada!) to attend this informative, three-day session on the best practices of tree house construction and tree house accessory installation.

Although most of the tree house workshop was “hands-on”, participants also learned about the theory that goes into building better tree houses. They observed and installed tree house fasteners, built a 17' high tree house platform on four garnier limbs mounted to three trees. We also installed a 130' zip line from the tree house platform to the ground.

Most importantly, all workshop participants left more prepared to adequately select a tree house site, design their project, properly install professional tree house fasteners, and work safely in the trees.

The workshop went from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, meals were included.

Specific topics covered in the workshop included:

Tree Biology
We learned about compartmentalization, pruning, how to know if a tree is healthy, and how to choose a good tree or set of trees for a treehouse.

Treehouse Fasteners
A presentation on treehouse fasteners. We had a lively discussion about the pros & cons of various fasteners such as garnier limbs. In a later session, many people took turns drilling and/or installing several garnier limbs and large lag bolts

Climbing & Rigging
Participants were educated on a few of the climbing and rigging techniques we use here at Tree Top Builders. Speed and efficiency do matter, but they never take priority over safety while working in and near trees.

Tree House Design
Also covered were the basics of treehouse design. There are often different ways to support the same treehouse platform. The pros & cons of various designs are discussed. In the end, however, a proper design must incorporate the spacing and size of each tree, the requirements of the end users, and the particular aesthetic appearance that is most fitting with the surroundings. Treehouse design is very artistic but must not stray from a working knowledge of lumber spanning charts.

Zip Line Design
After setting up and testing a 130' zip line, we reviewed the principals of sag, pitch, and span as they relate to staying within the safe working limits of aircraft cable. The course earlier in the day was more theoretical, but we always learn better when we immediately put it into practice.  For more information on tree house zip lines, please click here: http://www.treetopbuilders.net/tree-house-accessories/zip...

Our Weekend Crew
We had a fantastic group for our first treehouse workshop. Most participants got to install their first garnier limb over the weekend, some rode their first zip line ride, and all of them learned a lot and were glad they came.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to everyone that attended the Tree Top Builders' Treehouse Workshop. For more information on this workshop, please click here:  http://www.treetopbuilders.net/tree-house-workshops/septe....  

September 2009 Treehouse Workshop Schedule
   *  Location: 307 Diane Drive, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.
   * Registration Fee: $350 per person, includes all meals on the schedule below. $150 required to secure your spot.
   * Friday, September 18th Time allotted for climbing, and informal learning
         o 1pm - early arrivals. We will be setting up and preparing for the weekend at this time.
         o 4pm - Start of "official" workshop registration.
         o 6-7:30 - Dinner Served.
   * Saturday, September 19th
         o 8-9am Breakfast
         o 9-9:45am Session - Tree Biology, Chris Miller (The Care of Trees).
         o 10-10:45am Session - Tree Selection, Chris Miller & Dan Wright (Tree Top Builders).
         o 11-11:45am Session - Treehouse Fasteners, Gary Koontz (Tree Top Builders).
         o 12-1pm Lunch
         o 1-1:30pm Session - Safety in and around trees, Brian Fisher (Tree Top Builders).
         o 1:30-5pm Practicum - Construction of a 3-tree treehouse platform.
         o 1:30-5pm Tree Climbing, Brian Fisher.
         o 5:30-7 Dinner.
         o 7-10pm Unstructured - Time allotted for climbing, designing, building, and informal learning
   * Sunday, September 20th
         o 8-9am Breakfast
         o 9-9:45am Session - Treehouse Layout & Design, Dan Wright.
         o 10-10:45am Session - Treehouse Fastener Installation, Gary Koontz.
         o 11-11:45am Session - Zip Line Design, Dan Wright.
         o 12-1pm Lunch
         o 1-2:30pm Session - Zip Line Installation.
         o 3-4pm Final Session - Question & Answer. Any unanswered questions will be addressed. Or possibly a whole other topic may be added upon request.
         o 4-5pm Wrap up, clean up, and a few lingering conversations about tree houses.

Contact Tree Top Builders for information on upcoming tree house building workshops: http://www.treetopbuilders.net/contact.html

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Custom built tree houses for kids and adults! Tree Top Builders designs and builds the custom tree houses – residential or commercial. Our tree houses use the finest construction methods and materials.
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