Five best places to enjoy trees (from SFGate)

Decent list by Jill K. Robinson includes California and Washington State trees of wonder.

Tarzan's Treehouse - Disneyland

Formerly known as The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. Whither Swiss Family Robinson? This has something like 90 stairs to climb so I've never been in it and probably never will. I don't see the payoff in the end. But it's nice to see a treehouse in the middle of Disneyland and I'm glad they've kept it going all these years.

Redmond Treehouse

I haven't been able to get out enough this week (or get any work done INside either) since our family has come down with the "Portland Crud." So named by a writer that I was supposed to meet up with this week in a new writer's group. Unfortunately, the Crud put an end to that meeting, and to all tree-themed activities as well. In fact, most activity was postponed until further notice.

So here's a beautiful shot of a treehouse that came from my wonderful "Treehouses of the World" calendar from 2008 (Abrams, Inc.). This was the cover shot for the calendar, and the bookit came from by photographer/writer Pete Nelson. Many of the houses featured are from Washington state--not surprising given the perfect conditions for treehouse construction around here.

From the calendar: Finding a treehouse like this one, an ornate plywood palace in a broad-leafed maple tree, is like finding buried treasure. Steve Rondel of Redmond, WA had three children grow up before he could finish this exceptional edifice. Now he is looking for grandchildren so he has an excuse to push on.

Go forth, Steve. Obsessive construction projects are among the most creative and enjoyable endeavors.

Top-10 treehouse designs from Sarah Spy

The SarahSpy blog lists the top treehouse designs that would make up for her lack of one growing up. She picked some fantastic beauties. Here's a sampler. The entire list with geographic and architectural details, links, and images is here.

Treehouses That Grow With the Trees

Today's Oregonian's Homes & Gardens' section had a nice article on treehouse builder and arborist Austin Wienecke. "An arborist's perches gently hug trees," is the rather awkward title for a good read by Ruth Mullen on how to think like a tree when you're building around a tree.

Bob and Mary Martin are shown relaxing in their lovely octagonal treehouse overlooking the Willamette River. I would love to have a treehouse like this, or even a more primitive version. I will have to read up on carpentry and trees. We have a good-sized Douglas Fir in the backyard that is crying out for structure (or so I imagine).


From the article:
Seattle author and treehouse guru Peter Nelson believes our fascination with trees is prehistoric, passed down from ancestors who found safety and comfort in their towering presence.

Photo by Marv Bondarowicz, The Oregonian.