How to Make a Tree House out of Nature

Tree houses captivate children's imagination. Nearly every child wants to have a tree house, perhaps because the idea of living in a tree seems like so much fun. There are many different kinds of tree houses, but some of them can take quite a bit of expense and work to make. However, it is possible to make a tree house just using materials that you find in nature, without the trouble and expense of using plans and plywood. A nature-made tree house is simple to construct and is actually better for the tree it is built in.

Things You'll Need

  • Branches of various sizes that have fallen from trees
  • Sticks
  • Vines or string
  • Branches with leaves
  • Bark
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Rope
  • Saw
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Instructions

    • 1

      The location of a natural tree house is the most important part of the process. Choose a tree that has plenty of low branches that are sturdy and about even with each other. The best tree houses are built into trees that have a lot of foliage cover around the site. This camouflages the tree house.

    • 2

      Take some larger branches and lay them across the tree’s branches to make a floor. Crisscross the branches so that the floor is sturdy. Use rope or nails to hold the branches in place. Cover the gaps with smaller branches and sticks. You will end up with a kind of woven base for your house. Make sure it is sturdy enough to walk on. Leave a hole in the floor near the trunk to climb through.

    • 3

      For a natural tree house, most of the wall cover will be made from the original branches of the tree. However, you will need to provide enough wall cover to keep children safe while they are in the house. Tie or nail branches to the tree to make a railing around your tree house. You could even use branches with leaves on them to make it more wall-like.

    • 4

      Tie a rope to a branch near the top of the tree house. Dangle the end through the opening in the floor. Add knots to make it easier to climb. Once this is done, your nature tree house is finished. Your children can have a tree house without harming the tree.