Apple tree - tree house with treated lumber?

[Luke'sScreenName]

I planning on building a tree house for my sons in a largish apple tree near the house. (falling apples have been considered and disregarded ).

I have one question to start with...

Any problem lagging pressure treated lumber to the apple tree? I don't want to poison it.

Nothing the kids come into regular contact with will be pressure treated.

 

[s219]

I'd be more concerned about lag bolts than the lumber. You can buy special tree house bolts that are apparently better for the tree and will be stronger supporting loads too. They are based on arborist bolts used for tree repair and bracing. Try googling "treehouse attachment bolts".

 

[EddieWalker]

Nope, the new chemicals and methods used to treat modern pressure treated wood is safe. The biggest concern with it is that it now has a huge amount of zinc in it, which is highly corrosive to most metals. Think salt on steroids!!! Hot dip galvanized, stainless steal and screws rated ICQ are the only things you can use.

Lag bolts are great for a lot of things, but for my main support beams, I would want to use bolts if possible. I like the way the Treehouse Master show does it, but think they are cost prohibitive. He gets away with it because of his fame, and the fact he is putting it out there on TV and has to do it the very best way possible. He didn't always do it that way, and I like it that he shows some of his earlier jobs that have failed that need to be redone. I think the latest thing he is doing that is important it covering the tops of his beams with some sort of flashing. I'm thinking it's window tape, but it could be something else very similar.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

The three stems I'll use are 18-20" diameter where the beams will attach. So bolt would be difficult.
I take it "tree house master" is a tv show?

I was hoping to use the new type black lag screws but advice would be appreciated.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

TimberLOk is what I was thinking

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Nope, the new chemicals and methods used to treat modern pressure treated wood is safe. The biggest concern with it is that it now has a huge amount of zinc in it, which is highly corrosive to most metals. Think salt on steroids!!! Hot dip galvanized, stainless steal and screws rated ICQ are the only things you can use.

Lag bolts are great for a lot of things, but for my main support beams, I would want to use bolts if possible. I like the way the Treehouse Master show does it, but think they are cost prohibitive. He gets away with it because of his fame, and the fact he is putting it out there on TV and has to do it the very best way possible. He didn't always do it that way, and I like it that he shows some of his earlier jobs that have failed that need to be redone. I think the latest thing he is doing that is important it covering the tops of his beams with some sort of flashing. I'm thinking it's window tape, but it could be something else very similar.

Can't find what ICQ is. Can you point me in the right direction?

 

[RandyT]

The main concern I would have about putting a tree house in an apple tree would be bees. Both from the blooms, and from the fallen apples. Yellow jackets are nasty around rotting apples.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

The main concern I would have about putting a tree house in an apple tree would be bees. Both from the blooms, and from the fallen apples. Yellow jackets are nasty around rotting apples.

Good thought but fortunately not a huge concern here.