How to Build a Treehouse

This collection of black willow trees seemed like the perfect location to builder John Carberry's clients, and it was. When scouting the location for your own, look for a tree that affords good spaces, then call an arborist to make sure it's healthy and able to bear the weight of a treehouse.

Something has to attach everything to the tree and treehouse builder John Carberry recommends the Garnier Limb, which "minimizes tree damage, maximizes load safety and let's the whole thing move and grow they way it will, because it's a living foundation."

This foundation is approximately 15 feet off the ground and was installed from a ladder. If you plan to go higher, consider scaffolding and climbing ropes.

The Garnier Limbs are in, the beams are on, the foundation is in place and now it's time to lay down the deck. This is a standard elevated deck, perfect for DIY builders.