Islington Play tree and den manual extra pages:Layout 1
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Not all trees are suitable for building in and, for safety, it is vital to get advice from a tree expert to make sure that your tree is healthy and suitable. Some trees are stronger and, therefore, more suitable than others. Your biggest obstacle is finding the right tree. A tree house needs a mature, strong tree with a thick trunk and solid supporting branches. If you cannot find this kind of tree, other options are 1) build a stilt frame, 2) use more than one tree.
Who’s responsible for the tree? If you own your house and garden freehold, then the tree is your responsibility. This may not however give you the freedom to build a tree house in it. It may still be necessary to get planning permission or you may be able to build your tree house under your permitted development rights. You may live in a conservation area or your tree may have a preservation order on it. In either of these cases you will not be able to build in your tree. If you are living in council housing, the tree belongs to the council so they have the last word. If you are a playworker, you may have a suitable tree on your site. If the site is council owned, you will need to seek the advice of your local authority tree experts, who will risk assess the tree. They may require a method statement that outlines how and when you will build your tree house. However, when doing this activity, cover all your bases: 1) get a tree risk assessment from a certified arborist, and 2) do your own risk assessment, which includes the site and building activity. Always remember, trees are alive and can be injured just as easily as people! Think about the best way of using the tree and fixing things to it without hurting it, if you can. If you have to use screws, nails or bolts, try not to use too many and also make sure you use stainless steel so they don't go rusty. If you fix a nail or screw into a tree by accident, only take it out if it is in the way of your work, trees don't like holes being left in them! Trees are growing all the time so you need to give them space to do so. When building a platform leave a gap of about 4 inches around the tree trunk to allow for growth. By adding a toe board on the platform floor around the tree, children will be less likely to get hands and feet beyond it. The gap can be filled with rubber or foam if felt necessary.
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