When we got the deck finished...I was tempted to just leave it as is because I thought it looked really cool with the trunks coming through... The door does open and this morning it was back lit and I could see the trunks through the door and window.
Water/Willow Oak from Jay Wilson
- Thread starter johng
- Start date
When we got the deck finished...I was tempted to just leave it as is because I thought it looked really cool with the trunks coming through... The door does open and this morning it was back lit and I could see the trunks through the door and window.
Currently the back wall is open...that is what allows the house structure to be removed...I suspect I will get Carolina Wrens nesting inside once it goes back in the garden....that will be okFun project! Where I live the "details" would land up to be a Chickadee nestOnce that wood is grey though I must admit it will have Lenz calling you!
Grimmy
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
I wanted to just add a bit to my original comment, which probably sounded pretty negative. I do like the idea, I just think in this case the structure is too large and too "perfect" for the tree...think it would fit in better if some of the boards were damaged, missing, peeling away in places, warped, like the structure had been in the tree for a long time. It will be interesting to see how it looks as the wood ages, though, as that could really change the impression.
I bet it was fun to build!
I bet it was fun to build!
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
I suspect I will get Carolina Wrens nesting inside once it goes back in the garden....that will be ok
Certainly!
Grimmy
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Wrens will nest almost anywhere! We've had them find their way into/build nests in bags of mulch inside our barn (usually leave windows or even doors open). Which is fine until the babies try to fledge...the parents understand how to get in/out through the windows but the babies often have trouble with that. I usually have to catch/release a few every year.
Nybonsai12
Masterpiece
This was my thought exactly. If the doors/windows on the house itself were smaller in scale to make the tree look larger I think it would look better, in addition to more of an aged appearance to the wood itself. I do really like the idea though and have not seen much of anything like this.
It was a blast to build!!...working with a master craftsman always is!! I am fulling counting on the fact that this structure will look much better with age. We even discussed treating it now in the hopes of simulating age. I hope that in 5 years the treehouse will have a nice aged patina and the silhouette of the tree will expand. My original vision was something about half the scale of this but once we started to build the deck we realized that a larger size would fit more naturally and easier.
BethF
Mame
Like it, but have a question. The crescent moon on the door - is it a tree house or an outhouse? If the latter, what's the story?
I knew someone would ask
They stole the door off the outhouse to use on the tree house Or, it might just be a SC tree house??
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
Grey stain - serious would also help preserve it a bit - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathan...ay-Premium-Wood-Stain-2-Pack-267124/203377037
Grimmy
BethF
Mame
Keep forgetting you live in the south county.......I knew someone would ask
Nomiyama
Mame
Very nice out of the box thinking John, I like it. I have a pin oak that maybe I can try this with in the future. One question, do you plan on adding planks/ladder up the face of the trunk as a way to get in? Maybe a rope hanging with a small tire for a tire swing?
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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John - this is really creative. I love it. I love the sense of humor it shows. Great way to enjoy bonsai and solve a problem with what to do with a "pretty okay" tree with one obvious "fatal flaw". Good thinking. Ken is a great "carpenter".
Someone who I won't name, displayed a really creative scene, with a ladder for climbing a cliff, and trees cascading over the cliff, a scene of that quite out of the ordinary for the annual bonsai show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The scene made me laugh with delight. This was back in the late 1980's or early 1990's. Anyway, I congratulated the own on his creativity and sense of humor. OOPS. The owner did not intend any humor, and did not appreciate my compliment. But it was genuine admiration I was trying to express. Some people are just to serious.
Anyway, I like bonsai with a sense of humor.
Or if you were really trying to go for funny, you would have made it look more like an outhouse.
Someone who I won't name, displayed a really creative scene, with a ladder for climbing a cliff, and trees cascading over the cliff, a scene of that quite out of the ordinary for the annual bonsai show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The scene made me laugh with delight. This was back in the late 1980's or early 1990's. Anyway, I congratulated the own on his creativity and sense of humor. OOPS. The owner did not intend any humor, and did not appreciate my compliment. But it was genuine admiration I was trying to express. Some people are just to serious.
Anyway, I like bonsai with a sense of humor.
Or if you were really trying to go for funny, you would have made it look more like an outhouse.
justBonsai
Omono
How I've seen some people oxidize wood to hasten the aging process is to take some steel wool or nails, dissolve it in vinegar, then paint the solution over the wood. Coffee also works great for adding slight off tone brown colors. After doing this to keep a relatively matte yet natural appearence you can use beeswax to coat the wood. I use a beeswax mineral oil blend I made myself as a basic protectant for carbon steel and vintage knives as well as a basic wood finisher. Letting it age by itself would of course give the most natural appearence but just a recommendation to be taken as is.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Any danger of stain residue dripping into the soil over time?
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
Looks better! Now make 3 or 4 variations on other trees using a different color door on each one. You know, a Tree House based camping place! C'mon man you have a slab "somewhere" that is big enough and certainly enough trees!
Grimmy
Grimmy
no "stain" used.... packaging states that it is completely no toxic to animals and plants....but I guess only time will tell.
iHasaki
Seedling
I wonder what little gnome is living in this today ?
