Want some advice

[TreEmergencyB]

i know this is off topic but i wanted the full time tree guys opinions

So i recently bought a house, and there is this crappy silver maple in the back yard that i have decided to cut down. Only took one lead off of it and started to wonder, i have a 5yo daughter that loves being outdoors and i though about making a 'tree house' for her. Heres the tree.

If i were to cut it down to red lines (dont mind the dots not sure how they got there) and build a small platform with some railings on it and a ladder/steps to get up. I wonder how long the tree will be safe assuming it dies after i cut it, its a silver so it might sprout back and in that case i would not leave many if any, the sprouts might make it intereting looking being a 'fort' but i would not let them get large. Also pending the tree is not rotten on the inside which i will find out in the process, please note that this will be for my children and family only and i will be keeping a very close eye on it maybe drill it every year or so. So what do you guys think and ideas, suggestions, concerns, or questions??

 

[Blakesmaster]

You'll probably find some rot in the base but I think it could be a kick ass fort for any five year old. Build it.

 

[Stihl Rules]

You'll probably find some rot in the base but I think it could be a kick ass fort for any five year old. Build it.

+1 I would have loved a tree like that in my yard growing up I had to go down the creek 300 yards to find my treehouse tree when I was a kid.

 

[tree MDS]

Looks more like a Sugar Maple to me... I guess I could be wrong though..

 

[imagineero]

have at it. I'd expect a minimum of 5 years. Things like this start to give visual signs long before their fail point - even when its mossy, ant eaten out, rotten and punky, it will still have way more strength than needed for the task, so really no risk there. I'd send my kids up in one

Shaun

Shaun

 

[TreeAce]

Oh heck ya! I would do it FOR SURE. It will stay safe plenty long enough. If it was me, depending how well hiden it was from the road or how tall your house is I would cut up higher and use the leads to help frame it in. I just wouldnt want people to drive by and see a hat racked tree in my yard and not know that there is a tree house lower down. Know what I mean? I would even let the leads stick up alittle and sucker out. U r gonna cut it down in 5 years or so anyway (maybe). But even if u cut at your lines and build a deck and frame it up from there in a more "coventional" manner i think it would be sweet. I had a two story tree house that was so cool. Not fancy...but sweet none the less. It was like the meeting place of me and my 3 or 4 rural neighborhood buddies. Good wholesome fun for any kid. Build it. And send pictures!!

 

[tree MDS]

Never really had a treehouse. We always did the fort thing.. great for drinking our stolen booze in, smoking cigs and looking at ####! Good wholesome fun! :msp_drool:

 

[Nailsbeats]

Leave the tree how it is and build the house in the center of it. That way you'll have an actual tree house (nicely shaded I might add) and not a stump house. The tree will last much longer, stump it and it will rot.

 

[tree md]

:agree2:

 

[TreEmergencyB]

The tree has poor structure and the largest of the leads is right over the before mentioned 5yo bedroom. I hate maples especially within 50 feet of a house. The trees is gonna be gone and stump ground and a tree fort for now then gone, prolly putting in a swimming pool in the back yard, and will plant some smaller more desirable species. Did i mention i hate silver maple?

 

[Nailsbeats]

Cut it down then. That tree looks good from here and if it had seams in it, I would chain the leads together and leave it. Has a lot of character.

But if it must go for good reason, then yeah, I'm with ya.

 

[Slvrmple72]

:msp_ohmy:Whadda ya got against Silver Maples?

 

[sgreanbeans]

we have a guy here that did this very thing, about 20 years ago, tree house is very elaborate, but the tree is done. City sent him a letter saying they would condemn it, if he don't remove it. Called me to see how to save the house. Told him,we needed to get a crane in to get it down. He don't wanna pay for the crane, good luck then!
But it still stands after all this time!

 

[airman]

like previously stated I'd cut it a little higher and use the leqaders for the framework.
what's going to be bad is all the nails when you cut it down for good (or better yet use lag screws so you can take them out)

 

[PinnaclePete]

Build it and they will come....you'll have kids from all over the block showing up.

Looks like its been topped before, cut it back to there and let the sprouts provide shade for the deck at the redlines. They'll grow out of the fort stage by the time its a hazard.

Add a swing line, slide and a climbing board, you'll be the coolest Dad on the block.

 

[TreeAce]

like previously stated I'd cut it a little higher and use the leqaders for the framework.
what's going to be bad is all the nails when you cut it down for good (or better yet use lag screws so you can take them out)

Speaking from actual experience, Its not the nails you used building the tree house, its the ones that kids pound in it that you dont know exactly WHERE the heck they are.....I remember my Dad was fired up when he saw so many of his nails gone one day. I actually got a switch across da back of legs for that one! As for lags, I doubt you could get em out later.