ORIGINAL: haystack
John,
I dont mean to sound discouraging, but IMO, thats a bad idea. One of the biggest problems with a permanent stand is the wind and the weather take a toll. That leads to a dangerous situation for you and possibly a buddy sooner or later. Its true pressure treated lumber will last and is durable. But you can almost buy you a metal ladder stand for the same price as the material needed for what you are talking about. It is almost impossible to anchor boards to the limbs of tree. When the wind whips hard like say in a thunderstorm, something has got to give. It will probably be the boards or the bolts. Some of these guys might know ways to get around all of that so "hang on"
Very understandable, this is of course why i'm asking
. Of course im going to use pressure treated, and as far as securing it to the treeI had a few ideas for the main supports. The first would be some longer lag bolts, and fender washers between the bolt head and the boards (2x8's or even 2x12's), the second would be using 1"threaded rod, with similar washers and nuts on both ends, essentially clamping it to the tree. Even after the split these limbs are about 2' thick, and It was fairly windy as I was scouting, and there isnt any major movement in the tree until about ten feet above the split, and if there is any movement, I would imagine both limbs would move together
.Pretty much like a traditional tree house is set up actually!
Also as far as supply's go, when im not stuck at school I work at a lumber yard at home, so i have full access to treated lumber, joist hangers, and just about anything framing related you can imagine! (and im majoring in structural engineering if that means anything hahaha)
I appreciate the input though
, anyone else?