Tree House Built by Couple for $4000

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Read their whole story in the link below…

Herrle Custom Carpentry – Wee House Cabin


44 Responses to “Tree House Built by Couple for $4000”

  1. Echo says:

    i honestly don’t understand the statement that he, “built the house, making sure not to leave a permanent and harmful mark on the environment”.

    how do you build a house utilizing live trees as part of the house yet not leave permanent and harmful mark? the trees are part of the enviroment. if he has fastened anything to the trees he has made a permanent mark, caused the trees injury. a living tree gets bigger as it grows. so unless he is willing to cut the hole in the deck larger as the tree grows, what is he going to do to accommodate the trees growth?

    are the 2 beams that extend under the porch the only things holding the porch up?

    • DB says:

      OK, we know this but there is a fact that the trees will get bigger hence expanding in size. So common since means the house will not expand and the tree will destroy the house. So, no harming the environment OK. It takes care of itself.

    • Heather says:

      It is not a “permanent” mark. Trees are renewable resources. He minimized his impact by not using other harmful building materials as well. I think this was a great idea. Better than most of our homes. His carbon emissions are minimal compared to the rest of us in our larger homes too. I guess some people will try and find fault in everything people do. Much respect to him and his wife. I wish we could all live so simply without the burden of so many material possessions.

    • Dolphin Puncher-Baby Seal Beater says:

      Oh go hug a tree, Echo. Go cry for it’s pain as you are hugging said tree.

    • Tim says:

      Hey Echo,
      How much wood was involved in building the house YOU LIVE IN?? If there was any at all, then at least one tree was “killed” don’t you feel ashamed?

      • Adam says:

        We are required to take life in order to live, including vegetation and vegetation can feel too, youtube it you’ll see some interesting results, Mythbusters deemed it plausible. The main thing is to do is take life out of respect and consideration. I think for a shelter what he did was awesome. Don’t lose your mind and sanity over extremes, it’s not worth it.

    • WIlson says:

      Y’know trees usually have these things called “seeds”, and it allows a whole new tree to be built. Trees can even have more than one seed; he could cut down the whole fuckin thing if he really wanted too and plant a few new trees. Wow!

    • Burke says:

      Echo, regarding the broader essence of this story, I think you’re missing the forest for the trees.

  2. sue anderson says:

    OK I suppose we have to be crystal clear, run it past a couple of attorneys before ever posting anything.
    Lets just suppose he will increase the hole in the deck to accommodate tree growth, he did after all build a beautiful tree house in six weeks, I’m sure he’s capable, and she probably is too!! Man you are a spoiler, yes we, well most of us know you can’t build any kind of permanent shelter without leaving some kind of permanent mark, get over yourself and stop posting rubbish (in my opinion).

    Love the tree house btw 🙂

  3. Alex says:

    2 words, RECYCLED MATERIALS!

  4. Real says:

    Shut up hippie. Don’t “hate”.

  5. BoB says:

    No running water. No inside toilet. No insulation. No furnace. No oven. Two burner stove. Tiny refrigerator. Maybe for a vacation home but not for permanent residency.

    • Cynthia Nolder says:

      It would be permanent for me, if there was a shower. I think it is fabulous

    • Dee says:

      The toilet is an inside composting toilet (pretty standard in the Tiny House movement). I could totally live there. As for insulation, you would have to ask the builder, but there is bound to be some, even if its just newspapers in the walls. No oven or furnace would be a draw back but we don’t use our oven at home very often… but that is something they could always add later (maybe a wood fired oven or dual purpose furnace/oven). But i guess weight (living in the trees) would have to come into account to putting anything in. Being small it would be easier to warm and cool down. I love the cheap cost. Tiny houses are awesome! 🙂 thank you for sharing. 🙂

    • DS says:

      I rarely, if ever use more than two burners on my stove. I’ve seriously considered getting rid of it and just using two plug-in induction hotplates. Refrigerators are way oversized as well. Most European households get by just fine with compact refrigerators.

  6. Susan says:

    They’d be taxing me for this. Fly over in their helicopters…whoops, you have a 8′ shed, taxes went up – how much would they add on for this??? No living “off the grid” cheaply anymore.

  7. howard moore says:

    I could understand living amongst the trees however I would not fasten my house to a tree but place it upon stilts anchored to concrete footed piers. That would allow the home to float around the trees, care must be taken as to not disturb the tree’s root structure anymore than necessary but for me to live in a home I feel it must have a shower and restroom as well as a washer and dryer anything else is just a weekend retreat or camping

  8. Timber Wood says:

    What happens if there’s a forest fire?

  9. Joe says:

    Trees ARE a renewal resource. A lot of trees will grow tall and die. It is better to harvest them while they are a viable resource.

  10. Blair says:

    Get a life

  11. Sharon says:

    yeah ok the house cost $4000 what about the land?? Believe me not as cheap and viable as everyone makes out!!!

  12. jason walz Tn. says:

    I would love to build this for some for free considering I have been doing carpentry for 30 years.. Any takers???

  13. Mitchell Frohlich says:

    That’s a really nice place for $4000. I like the timber style. To whoever was saying stuff about the trees being an issue, I’m sure when the time comes whoever built that badass house will be able to throw down some long post and cut the hole bigger if necessary but it looks like they’re big enough already.

  14. Serena Skye says:

    This is an example of what can be done.It is also an example of what is wrong with our society…People that are part of this movement are aware that over consumption is a waste and that we need to create change in some small way.why be so negative when there are people are out there trying to make a difference.Some of you must have been curious or you wouldn’t have read the story.Learn to be kinder to each other and our planet.

    • tomD says:

      i can easily make handicap access for myself and wifey like a two i beam lift (beach houses) two hover rounds and grocerys fit on platform up to 50 feet lift easily i imagine ive mulled over this with my contractor buddy alot doable nice lil woodstock cook/heat stove /wood.. easy install . not complicated at all

  15. Bluford Weikel says:

    I like the house. It is big enough for two people who really like each other. But it is not practical for older folk. To much climbing up and down. Great location. It is also great to not owe a lot of money with a big mortgage. Go for it.

  16. Patrick says:

    frank lloyd wright architecture was all about this…

  17. David says:

    Actually, if you have never heard Pete Nelson “The Tree House Guy” talk. You should look him up. He is an expert on tree houses and their marriage with trees. He states that they do just fine and adapt very well to tree houses.

  18. J says:

    This popular radio edit version of a song comes to mind when i read your comment Echo…..”you little Dumb Dumb, Stupid Stupid, I ain’t messing wit youuuu” lol

  19. rickikurts says:

    jason walz Tn. on February 17, 2015 at 11:55 pm said:
    I would love to build this for some for free considering I have been doing carpentry for 30 years.. Any takers???

    Want to build a tiny home on the Big Island in Hawaii??? Looking to find a builder who is frugal minded and is willing to reuse or my new favorite word “upcycle” materials.

  20. chris priest says:

    Wow read a few books, if they use the right hardward it will actually make the tree strong.like have a bonic arm. If not attached to tree it will cause more root damage.may i recommend reading treemaster pete nelson books for more info.

  21. chris priest says:

    Trees grow up from the top and wide from the bottom if you provide spacing for the width growth the tree should not move treehouse up or down, provided you build on the bottom third of the tree.

  22. chris priest says:

    Trees grow tall from the top, wide from the bottom, if you leave spacing for width growth the tree will not push tree house up or down.you should always build on the bottom 3rd of the tree to prevent that.

  23. Chris says:

    I’m in Raleigh, and have land in Vance County. Small world! Let’s get together and build these. You “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” type of deal. Haha!

  24. Karen says:

    Yes! I would love to live in a house like this! 🙂 Thank you, what a nice offer !

  25. Dannie says:

    Right on Heather!

  26. Dannie says:

    We live off grid in Oregon. Yes it is very do able. Do your research if it’s the lifestyle you want. I just found a 2.5 acre parcel for a guy with $1,000 down and $100.00 a month.

    The land is the least of your expenses! It’s not easy but it’s a worthy goal and an awesome adventure!

    Not for the faint of heart though.

  27. Natasha says:

    Jeez people, it’s not floating up in the trees. It’s on a hill and the trees come up through the porch. Look at the pictures before freaking out about something that doesn’t matter, if you take the time to actually read the article, and look at the picture. Thanks!!!

  28. Ayee says:

    And yeah he used lumber, isnt it wood from trees. And my goodness it is just a little above the ground.

  29. Will says:

    I live without running water, a composting toilet and a wood stove. It’s my permanent residence and it has little insulation.
    It’s possible. I live in my tiny house all year. It’s amazing the things you can live without.

  30. Ruby says:

    Uts been touched on already in the comments but the house has no water and no insulation and i wonder what are they powering the electric cook top off of as i cant see any panels etc and solar would be unfeasible anyway as they are underneath a canopy. The above outlines pretty clearly why it cost only $4000 and 2 months to build. Pointing out these obvious flaws is not being negative or judgemental its being realistic and trying hard for the greater good to make the ignorant greenwashing army of rainbow hippies wake up and recognize the flaws and lack of understanding in their concepts of “green”, “sustainable”, “low impact” and being “resourceful” and building houses around tree girths is a bizarre practice that is entirely favouring aesthetic over functionality. Its really very dumb.

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