Removing A Tree House

Q: I recently moved into a new home and there is a dilapidated tree house in a large Oak tree in the backyard that I want to remove. I am concerned about damaging the tree. Do you have any tips or suggestions?

A: If the tree house is falling apart, my first tip is to be extremely careful for your own safety. The use of protective clothing, gloves, goggles and safety boots or shoes is a must. Always have a person with you, on the ground, just in case of disaster and to move any debris away from under where you are working. Secondarily, removing any structure that is not sound is not a project for the kids!

If the tree house has been in place for a number of years, I would surmise that the Oak tree has grown and may have actually grown around some of the tree house lumber. When you are removing the lumber from the tree house I would suggest that you use a tree wound dressing on any areas of branches, limbs or the main trunk that are bare (no bark covering) once the board is removed. This also applies to holes that are left after removal of nails or other fasteners.

The best way to demo the tree house is to start at the top and work downwards. Every time a board is removed or a nail is pulled, use the tree wound dressing, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Be careful when using the limbs, branches or trunks of the tree to leverage wrecking or pry bars, as you can damage the tree quite easily. If damage does occur, use the tree wound dressing.

Selection of tree wound dressings.

It is also important to realize that some of the branches and limbs may have weak spots, once the tree house lumber is removed, and may have to be pruned back.

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Tearing Down Plaster Walls

Q: I have been thinking of how nice it would look to tear down the wall between the kitchen and dining room and opening up that area. I just thought it would look really nice and I could put a sort of a bar right by the stove going into the dining room. I haven't given it a lot of thought because I wasn't sure how hard it would be or how much money it would cost. But I just watched an episode of Flip this house and they did exactly what I have thought of doing. And it looked great. I have never tore down plaster walls. But I have tore down sheetrock walls and built little niches in the walls and made them kind of like a museum to show off pieces of art. But I think plaster walls would be a lot harder to tear down than sheetrock is. What do you all think?

A: There are a lot of items to consider before you start tearing down walls. I suggest you follow the link.

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