How Treehouse Supplies Helped Build a Five-Star DIY Treehouse Retreat in New York

At Treehouse Supplies, we pride ourselves not only on providing world-class treehouse hardware, but also on supporting dream projects from concept to completion. One standout example is the inspiring story of architect Jeremy Shannon, who transformed a vision into reality with the help of our engineering team, a custom hardware package, and personalized training.

Treehouse Supplies provided not only the necessary products but also the expertise and coaching needed to turn a complex DIY dream into a successful reality.

 

The Project: A Multilevel Treehouse Retreat

Jeremy set out to build a stunning multilevel treehouse rental on his 120-acre property in Sparrow Bush, New York. Armed with an intricate 3D model of the structures he envisioned, he faced a major hurdle: he had no idea how to safely attach the large, heavy platforms to the trees he selected.

That's when Treehouse Supplies' engineering team, led by Joe Salinas, stepped in.

Client rendered design submitted to Treehouse Supplies for assistance with engineering and execution of the DIY build

Challenges and Pain Points

The project was not without its challenges. Joe Salinas (TTB Engineering) designed the structural system, provided engineering guidance, and conducted a custom workshop to train Jeremy and his team in treehouse building basics (safety, climbing, TAB installation, rigging, etc.)

Learning to climb: these DIYers needed help we were happy to provide during a ull-day treehouse building workshop.

 

• Structural Uncertainty: Jeremy needed expert help designing a safe and durable attachment system for his structures, given the size and configuration of the trees.
• Tree Fork Engineering: One crucial suspension point landed at a fork in a tree, risking catastrophic splitting under tension.
• DIY Complexity: Building such an advanced treehouse as a DIY effort involved hundreds of technical questions and ongoing support.
• Workshop Logistics: Jeremy and his team traveled to West Chester, PA, for a full-day treehouse building workshop to learn essential skills.
• Extended Timeline: The project spanned over two years from the initial consultation to completion.

 

Jeremy and his team traveled to West Chester, PA, for a full-day treehouse building workshop to learn essential skills.

Solutions and Support

Joe designed a custom structural plan, provided a tailored hardware package, and conducted a hands-on one-day workshop covering treehouse building basics, TAB installation, safety, rigging, and construction of critical structural elements like Tribeams. Throughout the build, Joe stayed closely connected with Jeremy, troubleshooting challenges as they arose.

For the forked tree issue, Joe developed a custom cable anchor system to prevent splitting under tension—ensuring both safety and design integrity. 

Custom cable anchor system designed by Treehouse Supplies Engineering to prevent a forked tree from splitting under tension

 

Project Timeline: Ongoing Consultation and Collaboration

From initial consultation (February 2022) to project completion (July 2024), the timeline was over two years.

Jeremy needed ongoing technical support throughout the build, suggesting that the complexity of executing such an advanced treehouse as a DIY project was a major hurdle. Hundreds of emails and dozens of calls were needed over the course of two years. Joe provided continuous remote consultation, even troubleshooting construction snags as they came up.

 

The Outcome: A Five-Star Destination

Today, Jeremy’s treehouse is a thriving rental property listed on VRBO, boasting all 5-star reviews. His project has been featured in an article on Passive House Accelerator, highlighting the treehouse's high-performance passive heating system and innovative design.

Magical, all season, multilevel treehouse on beautiful 120 acre property, for rental on VRBO.

 

Explore More

You can view Jeremy's completed project here: Magical, All Season, Multilevel Treehouse – VRBO Listing 
Read his full account of the DIY build here: Building a High-Performance Treehouse – Passive House Accelerator

At Treehouse Supplies, we believe that no dream is too big—especially when you have the right team behind you. Whether you're a first-time builder or an experienced designer looking for expert support, our engineering services, custom hardware kits, and training workshops are here to help you elevate your project to new heights.

 

Ready to start your dream treehouse project?  
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.