How to Build a Tribeam to Support a Large Treehouse

A tribeam lets you attach a wide platform to a single tree trunk by widening the support base on the tree instead of attaching one beam to either side. Essentially, it's an inverted truss with the flat beam on top and two 45-degree braces all locked together with notches and hardware. The required hardware and support can be found at www.treehouses...
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[@ronnieoverby]

After a full depth cut with a circular saw, I had much better results using a sharp hand saw to cut the rest. It's more work but it's much easier to follow the initial cut lines and get a flush cut.

[@TreehouseSupplies]

In the old days, like when this video was shot, we started with a full depth 7.25" blade circular saw cut, about 2.5" deep, and finish with a reciprocating saw or handsaw. Now we like using a 10" blade circular saw, aka beam saw.

[@user-qq6ud6sv2u]

Regarding the length of the notch cut, some comments here say 8” doesn’t work for a 4x6. I just built 2 of these and it worked perfectly. Both legs were 45 degrees at the top and came to 90 degrees at the bottom. I’d suggest practicing on some 1x6 material to start…. You also then have a template/mock up of how the leg should look in the end.

[@TreehouseSupplies]

I'm glad it worked for you. Our affiliated building company, Tree Top Builders, has developed a jig that makes these cuts a piece of cake.

[@mistercarlberg]

Like he says, you must always drawl your lines well so you can sawl your lines easily.

[@dillond4606]

1:52 - the 8 inch measurement here is for a 4x8 leg. If you have a 4x6 make that measurement 6”, etc. This is not clear in the video- and not clearly answered in the other comment. Learned the hard way

[@jasonbrandler66]

I noticed that for a 4x4 as the brace, it fits a notch of 5 inches

[@abdulmajiidpala8234]

This is the real tutorial.. step by step teaching. Good job

[@jonmalachowski7126]

great video. just note that just because it's 7min long, doesn't mean it won't take you 3 hours

[@TreehouseSupplies]

Ha Ha! Right. They used to take us 3 hours to build... now our experienced builders can crank them out in 60-90 minutes each.

[@jkharrisfamily]

Video was very helpful for us, but we need a little more info on where the various screws provided go.

[@smackenzie1340]

HI James - email us at [e-mail] and we can provide that information.

[@Ericsogm]

Easy build

[@woods453]

George Winston - Night Sky!

[@gocolts82]

Very first cut was off and crooked. nice.

[@chriss165]

For the cut on the horizontal beam, if using 4x6's, cut 6 inches, NOT 8 inches.

[@TreehouseSupplies]

If you want the brace to hit the beam at a 45 degree angle, the cut line is about 7 & 3/4" - 8" - it can vary based on whether the 4x6 is 5.5" or 5.625" in width. What makes you suggest cutting 6"?

[@harrykuheim6107]

Chain Saw on the bottom bracket slot....

[@st0tes5020]

Thank you SSOOOOO much for that suggestion. I resorted to that after attempting circular saw + sawzall combo. The distal end of the sawzall kept wanting to travel off the mark no matter how I tried to correct it. And that was with the shortest/thickest blade they sell. The chainsaw worked so much better. Thank you!

[@NurseAcrobat]

Agreed. After getting it started with a circular saw a chainsaw made much quicker work of it after giving up on the sawzall and handsaw.

[@brianpeterson3752]

Greeeeat tip. Thank you!!! Wasn’t precise with it (my chain skills suck) but didn’t care after trying to hand cut that slot for 3 straight hours 😂

[@rayscholtens391]

To install this to the tree, do you use a TAB at both top and bottom or a TAB on one and lag bolt on the other?

[@jfgervais1]

Are the cuts in this video made to make a 4x6 tribeams? If not, what are the correct dimensions for a 4x6?

[@josephperreault2361]

what is the weight capacity of a standard tri-beam assembly?

[@ronnieoverby]

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[@zachsmith5620]

Should the wood for tri-beams be pressure treated? Thanks

[@TreehouseSupplies]

We always recommend PT wood as the default option. If using non-treated wood, consider staining, wrapping, or otherwise protecting the wood.

[@roninx8309]

Kikoho?

[@JoelTornatore]

what is "the small bit remaining" at 3:00 ?

[@smackenzie1340]

Hi Joel, I am not sure what you mean, but if you email me at [e-mail] I can provide more information and PDF details on how this is built.

[@ronnieoverby]

Joel, see my comment for an illustration.

[@bryanadamson3536]

Does that first 8 inch (1:52) measurement change depending on the width of the wood? I'm using 2x10's would that mean I'd have to make it 10 inches ?

[@smackenzie1340]

Yes it would change if you change the wood - Note-we would not sue 2x lumber for tribeams.. If you email us at [e-mail] we can provide more information and details.

[@wilfredleonard108]

This is a plan I couldn’t find in Woody Hyezmar’s Woodworking Bible. But there’s something very similar to it if you google his name, you’ll see…

[@jeremybillingham1235]

It's a shame that who ever was holding the camera couldn't hold it still and the fact there seemed to be a builders gang of workman in attendance which is not very inspiring considering I want to build it with just one helper.

[@TreehouseSupplies]

Fair points. Regarding the camera wobble, guilty as charged - however, it's a 10 year old video and we were just getting started with video - I promise we have and will continue to improve. Regarding the crew or workers, this project was filmed at one of our hands on workshops, so about a dozen people were there just to learn how to build treehouses. In this format, most people just watch. It is certainly possible to build a treehouse with fewer people, and I have built projects this size entirely by myself before. Perhaps you can too!

[@johnabruzzi4124]

how to keep tree house from termite or other bug from the woods?

[@ferrellrooster]

+john abruzzi get some poison @ home depot or Lowes.......my grandfather taught me a trick of mixing diesel and bleach together in a sprayer and saturating the wood whether it was treated or not. We did this to a storage building that the family built 40 years ago. It is a pier and beam type floor. So there was a chance of wood rot on the bottom along with bugs, termites and ants, but it never rotted. I spray under it to this day with the same stuff every other year and the building still stands.

[@Frits1975]

That will rott! So much space for water and air to come in and what does it find? Metal! It will rust

[@harrykuheim6107]

+klotuur pfffft

[@kenedyexpressmotoboyemsaob9411]

4:16 Reproduzir a seguirReproduzir agora CONSTRUÇÃO CASA NA ÁRVORE DA MEL E BIEL - TREEHOUSE- Duração: 4:16.kenedy76