How to Make Treehouses Without Hard Work

Position a 3/4-by-48-by-96-inch, treated piece of plywood in the tree where you will be able to place four evenly spaced, treated 2-by-4 supports underneath. Mark the locations where the 2-by-4s will attach to the trees.

Remove the plywood sheet, and attach a 2-by-4 stud to one of the side locations. Drill three galvanized 4-inch screws through the plywood board and into the tree on both ends of the board.

Repeat Step 2 to attach the second support board on the other side of the tree, keeping the boards flush with each other.

Install the third and fourth boards evenly spaced in the middle of the other two boards, making sure they are all at the same level.

Set the plywood sheet on top of the four support boards. Fasten the plywood sheet to the boards using six galvanized 4-inch screws per board. Tighten the screws until the head of the screws are flush with the surface of the plywood, but no deeper.

Drape a tarp over branches at the four corners of the plywood, about seven feet higher than the plywood. Tie the rope through the grommet in one corner of the tarp, and tie the rope to the spot picked out in that corner's branches. Cut off the excess rope, and use it to attach the other three corners. Tighten the ropes further once they have all been installed to create a tight and functional roof.