Henry scans our tree here. The first fork is at about 11 and a half feet. The staging platform will rest about 4 feet above the fork, and the observation deck will be about 8 feet higher.
We had another beautiful day here in God’s country. The weather was perfect. I spent most of the day building the staging platform. We will post photos when it is done and hoisted into the tree. It’s purpose is to give us something to stand on to put the foundation beams in place. These beams are the most critical aspect of the entire structure--specifically, how they are attached to the tree branches. Our lovely tree is quite tall and its limbs and act as sails in the wind, causing the tree branches to move. Large branches, such as those we plan to anchor to may move only a few inches, but the force is so powerful that a tree house could be severely damaged by being squeezed and stretched apart in a wind storm. One end of the foundation beam must be able to move back and force several inches to avoid this. This movement of trees and branches, along with the height and the fact that trees continue to grow and the wood in the tree house doesn’t, are special considerations in tree house construction.
When Henry finished seeing patients today he came by and helped me at the barn. He learned to use the power saw and did a great job. He really likes the laser beam on my power saw; a very cool feature.
Henry & I visited the tree house site with Will Marshal, a neighbor and President of the Prairie Garden Trust (PGT). He approved of our plans, had some good suggestions and is going to help out. The three of us then visited Andy Cave, a retired house builder who is also a neighbor and on the PGT board. I had a some questions for him. I was concerned that our cedar lumber was too soft and not stiff enough for 8’ foundation beams, and Will was as well. Thankfully, Andy said a 2” x 8’ red cedar would be plenty strong. He also reviewed my construction plans and thought they looked good.
Had a couple of tiny mishaps today. I sawed through the cord on my electric saw. I spliced with no problem, but had no electrical tape to wrap it in. Then I realized that I had not packed my ‘star bit’, which I needed to drive in the outdoor wood screws with. So, I made another trip to Orschelns to get a star bit and electric tape. While I was there I found some 3/4’ lag bolts, which I had not been able to find at Westlakes. Actually, the biggest lag bolts they had was 1/2’’, but in the gate hinge section I found just what I needed. The entire observation deck, including all the weight of people standing on it, will rest on four lag bolts screwed deep into the tree (plus braces), so they have to be really, really strong. These will definitely do it.
Tomorrow Lorna is leaving to visit her mother and sister for a few days, leaving the Domke abode to 3 tall men (me, Nick and Henry) and a tall boy (Chas, Nick’s son). She kept asking us what we were going to eat, and mentioning food in the freezer and refrigerator. Henry & I just shrugged helplessly. I told her I had become quite the expert at reading microwave directions and that crunchy peanut butter was my favorite. Actually, we will no doubt fire up the grill. There is nothing that cannot be grilled.
We posted some more photos in the photo gallery, so have a look. I take back what I said about Henry being a great photographer after he posted that photo of me driving the Mule.
Well, off to bed. In the morning, we will meet Jamie, the forester who manages the PGT tomorrow and review plans for the tree house, and also for clearing some of the cedar, hickory and other small trees that are obscuring some nice views. For example, there is a beautiful stand of river birch within 50 feet of the planned tree house, but you can hardly see it. It is also hard to see the swamps because of all of the leaves. Hopefully he will begin clearing the area and he may help me with some of the construction tomorrow afternoon while Henry is at his office. ~Bernard~
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
