h a l f b a k e r yBaker Street Irregulars
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Reminds me of http://xkcd.com/212/ |
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But wouldn't the branches keep growing and eventually shatter that glass? Need something less rigid for windows. |
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... Or more rigid. A heavy steel frame would do. Shaping trees for tree-houses is an old idea, but a good one. |
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If a tree were topped and a suitably rugged basket made
from outward-facing channel iron* (structural steel
members shaped like this ] in profile), the branches could
be trained to grow along the channels without squeezing
too much. The basket would have to be properly gussetted
and buttressed to prevent it from folding up, especially
under the downward pressure from interior installations.
Provided constant pruning were kept up, the habitation
could be kept weather-tight and encroaching branches
could be turned outward long before they caused any
damage. Just putting a roof on it would tend to send most
branches outward anyway--trees grow toward the sun. |
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This would take elaborate planning and constant, bonsai-
ish upkeep, but a fully-habitable 'grown-in' treehouse is
entirely feasable, and I like it. It would also have to be
done with a very sturdy hardwood like an oak, chesnut, or
willow. I doubt a maple or beech would support it without
slowly bending. This makes it more of a multigenerational
project rather than a weekend DIY. |
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I'll give it a nice green bun,
even though it's been baked before, albeit in different
ways. |
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[+] for gratuitous tree mutilation! (The tree doesn't care,
as long as it gets to keep growing) |
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* <later> On further considerations, aluminium channel and
associated structural members would be much better--
lighter, non-corrosive, and prettier. Just don't make any
plans for a granite hearth in the great hall or a baby grand
in the parlor. |
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(+) [bristolz] added this arborsmith [link] to my Treethedral idea. I figured you'd like it too. |
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All maintenance would have to be preventative though, looking far ahead to where the branches will be in the future. Once a branch pokes through you'll have to cut it off, which will leave a hole that probably won't grow back together. |
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[+] I want one! In springtime it is a must to have flowering branches! |
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You would not need to be so patient with bamboo. |
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2fries, I tried to search for the treethedral, but alas, alak! I am
in too stupid a state as when I posted the idea to find it with a
search. |
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Either that or my phone is - i'm not sure at this point. All my
searches seem to arive at "recent" |
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Wierd. It's the same as your idea but using an entire grove of trees braided into one another for the next few centuries to make the structure. |
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On a side note, we are selling off our house and businesses to buy a piece of land here soon. I plan to start this in my spare time next spring or the one after that. When I asked the Magic Eight-ball if it would work it read; It Is Deciduously So. |
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Heading to Saltspring or Thetis Islands or some other "arty" place I hope [2 Fries]. Make sure they have Internet. |
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