As a treehouse builder Western NC, we get this question a lot: Does building in the trees harm them?

The health of the trees is a top priority for us. To start, we require each tree in which we build first to be assessed by a qualified consulting arborist to make sure it is healthy and strong enough to withstand the additional load of the new treehouse. We also work with an experienced engineer to assess the data. So, while we can’t completely avoid stress to the trees, we exceed industry standards for tree safety in all ways because we care about the trees and the people who want to enjoy them so intimately.

We use cutting-edge engineered bolts, called artificial limbs, which minimize impact to the trees, as they allow the tree to continue to grow around the steel “limb” in the natural way. These artificial limbs are a result of years of research and engineering from enthusiasts who love building in the trees, just like we do. 

Owner and lead builder, Adam Laufer, has a special relationship with the trees and holds deep respect for his leafy compadres as he works among them. He and the World Treehouses team make sure to allow enough room for the tree to grow, ensuring that the relationship will be healthy for years to come. Please see Adam’s videos under our FAQ, “How do I choose the right trees that will be healthy enough to host a treehouse?” for more information on how the trees adjust and compensate after being built in.

We work hard so that the trees that provide the foundation for our structures can live long and thrive in close relationship with their hand-crafted treehouse and its human residents.