Zipline Tree Removal

Suspended Tree House, (deck)

Here is my Prototype Hanging Tree House Anchoring system

The reason for this type of system is so that the tree can move freely

also there is very little or no damage at all to the cambium layer of the tree.

                                         Here is where I slept while finishing the tree 'deck'.

                                                      Here it is with the railing on

               Here is an overhead shot, with my cotton hammock made in Merida, mayan style

                                     Here is a close up of the anchoring system, and the 'well'

Here is an underside shot of my 'Hanging Tree Deck'

Here is the deck with sealer on it, ready for winter.

I built this tree house deck in northern California. Anyone interested in having one of these built please contact me at  prioritytree@gmail.com

Materials used,  Con-hart Redwood for the deck and rails, Pressure treated wood (Douglas Fir) for the underside beams and joists.

The bolts are screwed into the tree, pre drilled holes of course, 6" shaft with the last 4" threaded. 

They are 3/4" Forged Eye Bolts. 9" overall length, 6" shaft. They are made in America by Crosby Group, they are made for crane work and heavy construction. They where 30 bucks each.

 They are rated at 7,700 lbs work load rating, each for a straight pull, I am loading some of them at 45 deg or more so it is reduced quite a bit, like 30% so I have about a 2000 lb. safe working load. But they are made for use with equipment where they are going to be shock (dynamic) loading all the stuff, like lifting shipping containers with a crane, so for my use I think they are sufficient.

  There will be no dynamic loading everything is static and the whole deck weighs less than 1000 lbs, (I had the lumber weighed) and I have 4 anchor points. Double backed up, with grade 70 chain 4,700 lb wll, for the suspension. 

The chain shackles are 3000 lb. wll (15,000 lb. breaking strength) rated, made in  US by Crosby. I had to pay alot for all the hardware. It is getting hard to find American made steel parts anymore. Some of the made in China stuff has way way lower wll ratings. I don't trust them as much either, I was in one hardware store and they had some chain shackles made in China and they had no WLL rating stamped on them, guess they can't depend on their industry standards.

Note:  WLL (work load rating) is usually one fifth of breaking strength, so a 10,000 lb. breaking strength bolt will have a work load rating of 2,000 lbs, so the hardware will have a stamp or tag on it saying WLL 2000 lb.

Anyone interested in having one of these built please contact me at  prioritytree@gmail.com

I am in Northern California.

The Gear

Here is the equipment I used on this single rope swing for a friend. I upgraded the eye lag bolt with one that is 1" longer (4-1/2") for added security. I put the bolt in at a 45 degree angle so the bolt will have added security.

Single Rope Swing

The following pictures show a much stronger 'Bolt Through' system, where the bolts are long enough to reach through to the other side of the limb and be bolted with massive over sized washers. This swing has been up for many years, I took these pictures a year after installing this swing, that is why it looks kind of weathered.

Through Bolts

Bomber Swing Set

Here is a Close-Up, here you can also see the Bronze Bushing. The 5/8" forged steel bolt will hold 25,000 lbs. The rope is protected by a galvanized steel thimble. The horse shoe shaped 'Shackle' will hold 17,000 lbs. This Rope is 1" and is about a year old when I took this picture that is why it is turning color, exposure to the weather. The swing pivots on the Bronze bushing so there is no wear and tear on the rope or the bold eye or shackle.
Built to last and I won't hurt the vascular system of the tree, like tying a rope around a limb does.

Be Careful with ROPES

This is the reason why you don't wrap a rope around your wrist, never,,,ever! Don't do it! This happens all the time. I saw a video in a swift water rescue class of a Police officer who lost his hand by wrapping a rope around his wrist to help a victim a swift water rescue.