Tree house

Atree house,tree fortortreeshed,is a platform orbuildingconstructed around, next to or among thetrunkorbranchesof one or more maturetreeswhile above ground level. Tree houses can be used for recreation, work space, habitation, a hangout space and observation. People occasionally connect ladders or staircases to get up to the platforms.

History

Prehistoric hypotheses

Building tree platforms ornestsas a shelter from dangers on the ground is a habit of all thegreat apes,and may have been inherited byhumans.It is true that evidence of prehistoric human-made tree houses have never been found bypaleoanthropologists,but remains of wooden tree houses would not remain. However, evidence for cave accommodation, terrestrial human-made rock shelters, and bonfires should be possible to find if they had existed, but are scarce from earlier than 40,000 years ago. This has led to a speculative hypothesis thatarchaic humansmay have lived in trees until about 40,000 years ago.^[1]Theskeletal changesdue to theevolution of human bipedalismstarted at least four million years ago, but early bipedalhomininsmay still have spent some time in trees and retained some tree-climbing abilities. Early terrestrial bipedalism is supported by evidence such as fossilized bones and footprints (like theLaetolifootprints). According to thesavannah hypothesis,this evolution happened as an effect of early humans adapting to life on the ground in savannah environments, partly for more energy-efficient locomotion.^{[citation needed]}

Among indigenous people

Even today, tree houses are built by some indigenous people in order to escape the danger and adversity on the ground in some parts of thetropics.It has been claimed that the majority of theKorowaiclans, aPapuantribe in the southeast ofIrian Jaya,live in tree houses on their isolated territory as protection against a tribe of neighbouringhead-hunters,the Citak. TheBBCrevealed in 2018 that the Korowai had constructed some very high tree houses "for the benefit of overseas programme makers" and did not actually live in them.^[2]^[3]However, the Korowai people still build tree houses, not elevated but fastened to the trunks of tall trees, to protect occupants and store food away fromscavenginganimals.^[4]

In modern societies

Trees have historically been integrated into the construction of buildings, for example the walls of a chapel, to provide support to a structure built around them.Chêne chapelleis an example of this practice.^[5]Modern tree houses are usually built as play areas for children or for leisure purposes, but may also be used as accommodation in hotels or residential applications. In this case, the main part of the structure is built with more typical construction materials. The use of tree houses in this manner is part of a movement towards the practice of "living architecture".^[5]

Tree houses may be considered as an option for building eco-friendly houses in forested areas, because unlike more typical forms of housing, they do not require the clearing of trees.^{[citation needed]}

Support methods and technology

There are numerous techniques to fasten the structure to the tree which seek to minimize tree damage.^[6]

The construction of modern tree houses usually starts with the creation of a rigid platform, on which the house will be placed; the platform will lean (possibly on the corners) on the branches.^[7]In case there are not enough suitable supports, the methods to support the platform are:

Struts and stilts

Strutsandstiltsare used for relieving weights on a lower elevation or straight to the ground; tree houses supported by stilts weigh much less on the tree and help to prevent stress, potential strain, and injury caused by puncture holes.^[8]^[9]Stilts are typically anchored into the ground with concrete, although new designs such as the "Diamond Pier" speeds installation and are less invasive for the root system. Stilts are considered the easiest method^{[by whom?]}of supporting larger tree houses and can also increase structural support and safety.^{[citation needed]}

Stay rods

Stay rods are used for relieving weights on a higher elevation. These systems are particularly useful to control movements caused by wind or tree growth. However, they are used less often due to the natural limits of the system. Higher elevation and more branches tailing off decreases capacity and increases wind sensitivity.^[10]Building materials for hanging include ropes, wire cables, tension fasteners, and springs.

Friction and tension fasteners

Friction and tension fasteners are the most common noninvasive methods of securing tree houses. They do not usenails,screwsorbolts,but instead grip the beams to the trunk by means of counter-beam, threaded bars, or tying.^{[citation needed]}

Invasive methods

Invasive methods are all methods that use nails, screws, bolts, kingpins, etc. Because these methods require punctures in the tree, they must be planned properly in order to minimize stress.^[11]Not all species of plants suffer from puncture in the same way, depending partly on whether the sap conduits run in the pith or in the bark. Nails are generally not recommended.^[12]A special kind of bolt developed in the 1990s called atreehouse attachment boltcan support greater weights than earlier methods.^[13]^[14]^[15]

Popularity

Since the mid-1990s, recreational tree houses have enjoyed a rise in popularity in countries such as the United States and parts of Europe.^[16]This has been due to increaseddisposable income,better technology for builders, research into safe building practices and an increased interest inenvironmental issues,particularlysustainable living.This growing popularity is also reflected in a rise of social media channels, websites, and television shows specially dedicated to featuring tree houses around the world.^{[citation needed]}

Increased popularity has, in turn, given rise to demand for businesses covering all building and design work for clients. There are over 30 businesses in Europe and the US^[17]specializing in the construction of tree houses of various degrees of permanence and sophistication, from children's play structures to fully functioning homes.

Popularity of tree house hotels is equally growing due to the popularity in the glamping and unique accommodation industries with a number of booking websites offering accommodation in tree houses.^{[citation needed]}

Building regulations

Many areas of the world have no specific planning laws for tree houses, so the legal issues can be confusing to both the builder and the local planning departments. Treehouses can be exempt, partially regulated or fully regulated - depending on the locale.^{[citation needed]}

In some cases, tree houses are exempted from standard building regulations, as they are considered outside of the regulations specification. An exemption may be given to a builder if the tree house is in a remote or non-urban location. Alternatively, a tree house may be included in the same category as structures such as garden sheds, sometimes called a "temporary structure". There may be restrictions on height, distance from boundary and privacy for nearby properties. There are variousgrey areasin these laws, as they were not specifically designed for tree-borne structures. A very small number of planning departments have specific regulations for tree houses, which set out clearly what may be built and where. For safety during the tree house construction, it is usually best to do as much work as possible on the ground, taking long-term viability into consideration.^{[citation needed]}

Protest communities

The tree house has been central to various environmental protest communities around the world, in a technique, popularized, known astree sitting.This method may be used in protests against proposed road building orold-growthforestry operations. Tree houses are used as a method of defence from which it is difficult and costly to safely evict the protesters and begin work.Julia Butterfly Hillis a particularly well known tree sitter who occupied aCalifornian redwoodfor 738 days (from December 1997 to December 1999), saving the tree and others in the immediate area. Her accommodation consisted of two 3 square metres (32 sq ft) platforms 60 metres (200 ft) above the ground.^[18]

Gallery

Tree houses
Tree house built for children
Noninvasive method of fixing a tree platform
A treehouse inMarayur,Kerala, India
A tree house inBahir Dar,Ethiopia
A tree house in Turkey

References

^Donald R Perry,Interpreting evidence: Tree houses,21st Century Anthropology: A Reference Handbook, SAGE Publications, 2010, page 365-366
^"Human Planet: Tribe's treehouses not real home, says BBC".BBC News.5 April 2018.
^Sweney, Mark (4 April 2018)."BBC admits treehouse scene from Human Planet series was faked".The Guardian.ISSN 0261-3077.Archivedfrom the original on 17 August 2022.
^Head-Hunters Drove Papuan Tribe Into Tree-Houses,ScienceDaily
^^a ^bThomas Vallas (25 May 2017)."Using nature in architecture Building a living house with mycelium and trees".Frontiers of Architectural Research.peer reviewer Luc Courard.
^Gozzi, Jacopo (30 June 2012)."TreeHouse Village, university thesis project".Issuu.Archivedfrom the original on 3 January 2013.
^"Garden Tree Houses".Cheeky Monkey Tree Houses. Archived fromthe originalon 4 July 2013.Retrieved22 March2013.
^"Professional Construction of Tree Houses".Tree Houses by Tree Top Builders.Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2011.Retrieved12 May2011.
^"Tree Houses".Retrieved23 July2023.
^Bahamon, Alejandro (2007).Treehouses Living a Dream.New York, NY: Collins Design. p. 8.ISBN 9780060780012.
^"Types of tree house support".The Treehouse Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 9 May 2011.Retrieved12 May2011.
^"Dangerous tree house design and safety issues".The Treehouse Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 22 May 2011.Retrieved12 May2011.
^Miskimon, Robert; Chmienlnicki, Steven (2008).The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Tree House: For Parents and Adults Who Are Kids at Heart.Atlantic Publishing Company. pp. 88–89.ISBN 978-1-60138-244-3.Retrieved29 July2011.
^"What are the differences between Treehouse Attachment Bolts and Garnier Limbs?".Treehouse Supplies.Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2013.Retrieved21 September2013.
^Garnier, Michael."Official Garnier Limb® Origin and Histree".Out'n'About Treesort.Archivedfrom the original on 6 September 2022.Retrieved28 December2013.
^Henderson, Paula; Mornement, Adam (2005).Treehouses.London, UK: Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 7.ISBN 0-7112-2437-4.
^"Treehouse building companies".The Treehouse Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2007.Retrieved20 November2007.
^Henderson, Paula; Adam Mornement (2005).Treehouses.London, UK: Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 65.ISBN 0-7112-2437-4.

External links

[1] Donald R Perry,Interpreting evidence: Tree houses,21st Century Anthropology: A Reference Handbook, SAGE Publications, 2010, page 365-366

[2] "Human Planet: Tribe's treehouses not real home, says BBC".BBC News.5 April 2018.

[The_Guardian-3] Sweney, Mark (4 April 2018)."BBC admits treehouse scene from Human Planet series was faked".The Guardian.ISSN 0261-3077.Archivedfrom the original on 17 August 2022.

[4] Head-Hunters Drove Papuan Tribe Into Tree-Houses,ScienceDaily

[Living_Architecture-5] Thomas Vallas (25 May 2017)."Using nature in architecture Building a living house with mycelium and trees".Frontiers of Architectural Research.peer reviewer Luc Courard.

[6] Gozzi, Jacopo (30 June 2012)."TreeHouse Village, university thesis project".Issuu.Archivedfrom the original on 3 January 2013.

[7] "Garden Tree Houses".Cheeky Monkey Tree Houses. Archived fromthe originalon 4 July 2013.Retrieved22 March2013.

[8] "Professional Construction of Tree Houses".Tree Houses by Tree Top Builders.Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2011.Retrieved12 May2011.

[9] "Tree Houses".Retrieved23 July2023.

[10] Bahamon, Alejandro (2007).Treehouses Living a Dream.New York, NY: Collins Design. p. 8.ISBN 9780060780012.

[11] "Types of tree house support".The Treehouse Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 9 May 2011.Retrieved12 May2011.

[12] "Dangerous tree house design and safety issues".The Treehouse Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 22 May 2011.Retrieved12 May2011.

[13] Miskimon, Robert; Chmienlnicki, Steven (2008).The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Tree House: For Parents and Adults Who Are Kids at Heart.Atlantic Publishing Company. pp. 88–89.ISBN 978-1-60138-244-3.Retrieved29 July2011.

[14] "What are the differences between Treehouse Attachment Bolts and Garnier Limbs?".Treehouse Supplies.Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2013.Retrieved21 September2013.

[15] Garnier, Michael."Official Garnier Limb® Origin and Histree".Out'n'About Treesort.Archivedfrom the original on 6 September 2022.Retrieved28 December2013.

[16] Henderson, Paula; Mornement, Adam (2005).Treehouses.London, UK: Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 7.ISBN 0-7112-2437-4.

[17] "Treehouse building companies".The Treehouse Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2007.Retrieved20 November2007.

[18] Henderson, Paula; Adam Mornement (2005).Treehouses.London, UK: Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 65.ISBN 0-7112-2437-4.

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