How to build a tree house

Listen to this radio story (MP3 download) or read below.

Radio interview source: Michael Garnier, owner/treehouse builder, Out 'n' About

Nothing beats the freedom of hanging out in the branches of a tree. When I was a kid, Dad built a tree house for us down in the woods. It was pretty crude, but we got up in there for hours of fun. If we were quiet we could sometimes spot wildlife. But we were rarely quiet!

As a parent now, I realize there are two things to consider before the first nail is hammered. How many kids will potentially be up there at one time? And, is my insurance policy paid up?

Michael Garnier builds tree houses for a living and says the best tree for an aerial get-away is an old, stately tree that will last for years to come. Nothing majestic in your back yard? Multiple smaller trees have potential, too.

"In multiple trees, if you have a tree that's 8 inches in diameter, it's like an 8-inch post, so if you have four of those that are 12 feet apart, then that's good enough for a tree house."