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spend. Builders can do whatever the customer wants. It’s just based on how expensive you want to get.” As with all home-building projects, Dowty says, the key word is location: “You have to have a good spot. You could have three trees, but if you want it to look professional and don’t have the right trees, it’s not going to work.” As for considering it a DIY project, “It depends on how far one’s talent goes and their prior experience,” Dowty says. “Especially if kids are going to be playing in it, you want it to be safe. Some people could get online and figure it out a lot on their own. I would suggest they have a pro do it. But that’s just me.” Take it indoors houses, tents, playground equipment and Central Indiana-based Jan Banister, an sheds have found their way indoors and American Society of Interior Designers into children’s bedrooms. Many compamember, says she never had a treehouse: nies offer a treehouse loft bed, while some She had a fort, built into the bushes in manufacture outdoor furnishings solely the far corner of the yard. The longtime, for indoor use. full-service interior designer says treeSo how far does Dowty think the houses foster independence, beginning in treehouse fad will rise? “There are a lot of small steps, while TV programs about also encouraging treehouses now. I just “I think a lot of people just teamwork and imagsaw a new one. So want something really nice, ination. it’s really starting to but they need to remember “I think a treegrow, and I’m kind of that they’re basically house serves the excited to see where it building a small house. same function for goes,” he says. Imagine the cost, and then a child that we, as Although people it’s going to be almost adults, are all lookhave been asking him ing for in that sunto rent his children’s double that because you’re room, window seat, playhouse, he says building it up in the trees.” small den or sewing he’s not ready to do —Pat Dowty nook. It’s a space to that yet. On the other get away to that’s truly your own. hand, ownership does have one perk: “If “Some projects I’ve seen and read my wife puts me in the doghouse, I can go about note that treehouses can be a child’s to a really nice one,” he says with a laugh. first design collaboration with an adult — planning, designing and building it Before you build together — while also fostering a sense » Have a site in mind, ensuring it’s of imagination and expressing what they adequate for construction and doesn’t want their dream space to be.” infringe on neighbors’ privacy Don’t despair if you lack yard space or » Build on at least two mature or nearly even a tree. Retreats in the form of playmature trees, depending on how large you 66
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want the structure and how many might occupy it at one time. The best trees are Douglas fir and red cedar. Others are oak, maple, chestnut, beech, pine and fruit trees; bypass poplar and silver birch. » Consult with a company with prior treehouse-building experience. » Consider safety, pest control, waterproofing, plumbing, power and a possible future expansion. » Consider the building’s impact on the trees’ health and surrounding vegetation. » Account for tree movement and growth. » Get approval of homeowners association and proper building permits from city and/or county.