A Guide to Building an Island Tree House
The epic tale of the marooned Swiss Family Robinson popularized the idea of tropical island tree houses as the ultimate in natural vacations- just imagine gazing out over the ocean from within the branches of an exotic palm or cyprus. In fact, many resorts across the globe now offer a tree house experience as an unforgettable way of getting in touch with your lush forest surroundings. Unfortunately, few companies supply tree houses suitable for adults, but there is a handy online guide for crafty island owners who want to create their own.
Downloadable for a small fee, Tree House Guides offers a number of different designs of tree houses, which can sleep 2 adults or 3 children. Also available are plans for simple tree decks and bird watching platforms. The San Pedro tree house is a classic and easily built style that most resembles the tree forts you may remember from childhood, while the Kauri is a slightly more sophisticated design that even has a porch and railing. All of the materials needed are easily acquired at a typical hardware store, and the recommended tree diameters range from about 1′ to 2′. The designs are simple and the plans highly detailed, and the company also offers email assistance in case of construction difficulties.
