Look-See tree
I recently came across a mention of a tree on the historic register of trees (yes it exists, nice, huh?) called a Look-see tree. Elaboration?
“ This White oak was used by Arkansas Forestry Commission Rangers as a look out tree in the 1930’s. Some trees located around the state to supplement the few fire towers the Forestry Commission operated. The \”Look-see\” trees had climbing pegs hammered into the tree, a platform built in the top and a telephone line. During times of high fire danger a Forest Ranger would use the tower as he patrolled his area.
The clmbing pegs are still visible on this old tree. There is also a remnant of the platform in the top, and an insulator with phone wire is located just below the platform.”
It sounds like a purposeful adult tree house to me! There weren’t any images available so I went looking for others…
The image up top was taken from a site that documented a survey done in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo in 2000 of tree canopys and the trees that surrounded them and contribute to (VOC) levels in the canopy about the platform / walkway / tower- slightly unfamilar territory for me, but the images are great.
Also, I found the The 61m Gloucester Tree (second from the top) in Australia. The Gloucester is the world’s tallest fire-lookout tree, and visitors can climb up to a platform in its upper branches for a view of the surrounding karri forest.
My ideas for what a tree house can be are expanding…
