Build Your Own Treehouse: A Practical Guide

By Maurice Barkley

Many people and not just kids dream about having their own treehouse. With this very practical and personal guide, it can come true! Not only is this an attractive record of author Maurice Barkleys appealing creations, but it delves into every aspect of planning and construction teaching others how to build them too. In a friendly, conversational tone, Barkley offers time-tested advice on safety for both builder and user and meticulously outlines each step, from raising a ground-built platform into the tree to bolting and anchoring the structure. Dozens of sidebars, how-to illustrations and photos accompany detailed plans and the amount of information conveyed is amazing: tools and materials; tree basics; house designs, including ones hung between two trees and others with self-supporting platforms; maintenance and even costs.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402737777
• ISBN13: 9781402737770
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Union Square & Co.
• Length: 119 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Good basic information!

The background information is fascinating. The directions are detailed and helpful. Most importantly, the advice and reccomendations regarding safety and use were exceptionally good.

All round reference quality

This is the fourth treehouse book I've bought. If it had been the first, it would probably have been the last. There isn't much he doesn't cover from site evaluation and preparation to safety gear. I like following in detail a single project to completion through the book.

Practical and Fun

I had the joy of climbing in and around the treehouses built by Mr Barkley with 4 of my grandchildren. His book is practical and contains lots of "how to" information with close up pictures and diagrams. His tree houses are a delight, and Mr & Mrs Barkley are friendly and generous hosts to their treehouse neighborhood. Lots of thought and planning went into the book, to make it a pleasant read and useable reference.

A wonderful souvenir

Build it and they will come! After having visited Mr. Barkley's truly amazing backyard of creations, we had to buy a copy of his book as a keepsake. The photographs are wonderful...so much better than ours. My husband is currently building a clubhouse on stilts for our daughter and will undoubtedly reference this book for ideas and instructions. You don't have to be a child to fall in love with the tree houses, various swings, many collectibles and gorgeous gardens. Everyone who has looked at our copy of the book has been impressed. If you are ever near Rochester, NY, I recommend a visit to the tree houses and a souvenir copy of his book.