Cutting Hole in Tree for Beam?

[M.D. Vaden]

When you use the word "BEAMS" - that to me, implies at least 4" wide, if not a tad bit more like 6". Height uncertain.

Either way - metal or not - if you bore a hole wide enough in a 15" diameter trunk, if merely for a 4 x 6 treated, that only leaves 11" of wood width left. Only 5.5 inches on either side.

The would will leave such an incredibly weak point in the trunk, I wouldn't even think twice about it.

And it's pine, mind you.

Now where is that treehouse pic for fun ...

Here's one a customer built in an oak. Can't tell you how he built it - what you see in the image is all I know.

 

[Farmer Ferd]

I used 2 2x 12 x 16 foot beams which I put on the outside of each tree. I tied them with rope made them perfectly leval. I used a forester bit and drilled through them both. I through bolted them. I squared the platform with doubled 2 x 12 x 16's I through bolted the corners of the platform and used 4 customised 13 tho pound aircraft cable with 16 tho pound turnbuckles to tweek and keep leval. This customizing cost about $100 per cable. once the platform was completed the rest is up to your imagination. I bought a scratch and dent double french door from home depo for $125. I bought mix and match anderson windows on craigs list for $25 each. Its mostly for my kids. I will post more photos. Good luck.

 

[Farmer Ferd]

I ll try to get some more structural photos tomorrow.

 

[ropensaddle]

There are two methods I'm considering, maybe i don't have to do such a deep bore cut and the tree will live, that would be great!

7/8 feet high why not just weld a metal stand to support the house?

 

[M.D. Vaden]

After doing framing when I was 20, the idea of "two by" material like 2 x 10s or 2x 12s connotes "floor joists".

Typically, I think of beams as the wide lumber that goes under decks and vaulted cielings that is "four by" or wider.

 

[secureland]

The Site;
These are the Scotch Pine Trees that I will be using. There are some hardwood blended into the area.

 

[memetic]

After doing framing when I was 20, the idea of "two by" material like 2 x 10s or 2x 12s connotes "floor joists".

Typically, I think of beams as the wide lumber that goes under decks and vaulted cielings that is "four by" or wider.

A beam is any horizontal structure that spans something and carries a load (more or less, go look it up somewhere). They just happen to be call joists when used in floors and roofs (floor joist, roof joist etc). A lintel is also a beam, so is a header.

They don't have to be any particular size, but yes saying beam usually makes people think of bigger than typical joists - even two 2Xs sistered.

RE: the treehouse. I like the collar idea. Seems to be the way to go. I like some of the other methods too.

 

[memetic]

The Site;
These are the Scotch Pine Trees that I will be using. There are some hardwood blended into the area.

Site look real nice.

 

[secureland]

I'm trying to do as little damage to these trees as possible, hence the posts next to the trees.

I'm a bit concerned about the cable in the picture and it's strength (I don't know what it's strength is)

This project has gotten me thinking about how to use posts among trees as opposed to using the trees at all. That's why I asked the question about securing log posts to piers. These posts are simply sitting on stones. And I'm uncomfortable with that.

I've used a few different methods of post, post notching, attaching to tree. One is cabled, two posts have a single lag. Please feel free to be critical of any of them and make suggestions!

Thanks for any replys.

Cable Holding post

 

[memetic]

The steel cable and turnbuckle look plenty strong for what you’re doing (probably overkill). Resting the posts on the stones shouldn’t be a problem as long as there isn’t any erosion going on, and assuming the stones were preexisting sitting on compacted soil or untouched earth (it looks like one stone was existing and you put another on top? That should be OK for many years). Technically you should have proper footings underneath the columns that are below the frostline (42” here in CT).

I see you got your hardhat over there; shouldn’t you still be wearing it since you are at a construction site? And where is your level? I see you got a square, a rake, a ladder, and some water.

Also where you got the 2X’s sistered, make sure you either lag those together or get plenty of screws to hold them together. The post/log near the center should be properly fastened to the sistered 2x’s. What is the other beam on the other side?

Other than that it looks good so far. I was about to post a reply to see what happened to this project. Good to see you are well at it.