Treehouses: The Art and Craft of Living Out on a Limb

by Pete Nelson, David Larkin (Design)

Shows and describes a variety of tree houses and provides plans and instructions

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Reference, Art, Nature

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one reads a lot of books about the same subject [1], it is clear when someone has an odd personal approach to the subject that is well worth reflecting upon.  The author is clearly a fan of treehouses--enough to have written a couple of books on the subject--and this book is an odd hybrid that is nonetheless an enjoyable read even if it is somewhat strange.  That is not to say that the book is any worse for being odd, not least because the author exposes a great deal of his own personal experience in the building of treehouses and it becomes clear to the reader that he is not in fact a very skilled constructor of treehouses, which makes it easier for the rest of us to enjoy with him the efforts of those who are more skilled in such trades.  It is also worthwhile to reflect upon the fact that treehouses as structures have a long history and that they have been enjoyed by people ranging from the inhabitants of Oceania and Southeast Asia on the one hand to European chapel-building monks to Queen Victoria (who visited one still extant treehouse in England when she was young).

This relatively short book of a bit more than 100 large pages could have really used a table of contents to make its contents more plain, but alas, it lacks that.  The book begins with a personal introduction and then provides a brief history of treehouses around the world, including the Swiss Family Robinson in literature.  After that there is a section on children's treehouses.  This leads to a discussion of finding the right tree in which to put a treehouse as well as construction and the task of getting the structure aloft whether one is doing a one-tree or two-tree (or more) treehouse.  A lengthy case study of the Saltspring Island treehouse, which the author participated in the building of, follows this, with details on what was done by whom on which day of the week-and-a-half build.  After this there is a discussion of treehouses of the world, including one dramatic effort that wrecked a marriage and ended its builder in jail and ended up taking six years rather than three days to build as well as numerous other less dramatic builds.  The book then ends with a brief discussion of the modest scope a treehouse can have as well as photo credits.

What worth is it to reflect upon what this book is about?  For one, the author provides wise advice that it is harder to estimate the time and materials that will be involved in creating a treehouse than one may think.  This encourages the reader to estimate more time and materials (and cost) than one might first guess so as not to be disappointed when it requires more effort than one first believes it will.  This is in general a wise policy when it comes to estimating the amount of time and effort it will take to do anything, for that matter.  It is also worthwhile to note that our interests are not ours alone.  The fact that people live in trees all around the world and enjoy staying temporarily in trees all around the world even if they do not want to live there all the time should remind us that it is not all that unusual to enjoy spending time in the trees above it all, as it were.  The author shows a variety of trees and construction materials and approaches that shows how to live in trees and how it can be done in a reasonable fashion, and that is enough to make this book an enjoyable one.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2019...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2019...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2019...

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book to read during my first stay in a tree house. Aloha!

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This week is all about residential architecture, sparked by strange houses posted to a Pinterest board and our 2013 resolution towards minimalism. Treehouses, by Peter Nelson, David Larkin and Paul Rocheleau describes some of the oddest homes that I can imagine - up to 100 feet in the air, precariously perched on branches that may break or rot and certainly dance in the wind.

These odd residences seem a perfect expression of the odd people that conceive of and construct them. Some are tiny, some are immense. Some are made of found materials and slipshod construction, others are precisely drawn and deliberately elaborate. Some are remote and some are in the middle of populated areas. Some, including the cover treehouse, are in Oregon and not too far away from where I live - the remarkable ariel structures at www.TreeHouses.com near Cave Junction, Oregon. All are beloved by their makers.

How strange though. I can't imagine wanting to be that far off the ground - even the childrens' treehouses, 6-8 feet in the air. So, I'll enjoy these strange structures from below, and with the help of Peter Nelson's wonderful vision.

--Ashland Mystery

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've flipped through this book a dozen times, and I STILL love it. Every possible kind of treehouse you can imagine, from the slapped-together kids versions made with scrap wood and scavenged nails, to georgeously crafted mansions that must have taken years to build. This book makes me want to buy my next house specifically based on whether or not the trees on the lot will support a treehouse.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library for two reasons:

1. I was struggling through "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" and wanted something fun, full of spirit.

2. I have also loved climbing trees, but never had a treehouse.

Peter Nelson's photographs, instructions, and stories were engaging and joyful. He captured the spirit of freedom and escape that is only found up in a tree.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

short but sweet. some great structures/designs but i am still on a quest for the ultimate treehouse book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAYDREAMS GALORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos. A soothing book when you don't have your own personal treehouse to read in.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to live in a treehouse! This book is so excellent. Not too technical, well a little. But full of great photos. I only wish this book was 5 x's bigger, more photos of the houses.

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most lovely picture books I have ever "read". Pure imagination come real, and very down-to-earth and livable!

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

mostly about building 1 in particular, along with photos of others

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good details on construction of one house--pictures of many others inspire the builder in me...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to flip through. Some of the treehouses were breathtaking, others were gasp inducing. Worth a look.