Pete Nelson's Bid to Sway Council and Save His Treehouse

Pete Nelson's Bid to Sway Council and Save His Treehouse

Pete Nelson, founder of the Treehouse Workshop, has built his own treehouse hideaway with plans to become a bed and breakfast. However, this article in the Seattle Times describes how a builder's vision can conflict with the local County Council.

Below is a paraphrased version of the story:

"The County Council [Washington State, USA] amended the law last year so building permits are no longer required for treehouses no larger than 200 square feet (or about 14 feet by 14 feet) 'used for play and similar uses.' "

"At 256 square feet, however, the Temple of the Blue Moon is big enough to require a permit. It's also in a no-build river buffer and 'channel migration area' where officials believe the river could carve a new bed. "

"Nelson admits the treehouse isn't legal because it's within 165 feet of the river, but he thinks the law should be changed to allow treehouses as an environmentally benign, low-impact use. "

"[And] his own survey shows it's outside the channel migration area. (He estimates the tree it's built on is more than 300 years old.)"

"Nelson's situation has some Metropolitan King County Council members wondering if they should make treehouses legal in 'critical areas' such as river buffers and steep hillsides where all construction is now banned. Their decision could help define the vague legal status of a new generation of luxury perches built by adults for adults."

1,500 Year-Old Angel Oak Tree

1,500 Year-Old Angel Oak Tree

This is a photo of the Angel Oak tree in South Carolina. According to the Angel Oak tree historical website:

Reportedly the oldest thing -- living or man-made -- east of the Rockies, Angel Oak is a live oak tree aged approximately 1,500 years. Some locals simply call it The Tree. It stands in a wooded area along Bohicket Road of John's Island outside Charleston, South Carolina.


Today the live oak has a diameter of spread reaching 160 feet, a circumference of nearly 25 feet, and casts 17,100 square feet of shade on the ground.

Its an amazing specimin, and you'll likely be happy to know there is no fee to see it in person and no tee-shirt shacks or other tourist venders around.

And on that note, here are some good tree care tips to help keep your own arboural friends healthy and long lived.