David Parfitt

How to Build a Treehouse

  • Recommended

    $200

    Includes personal feedback and tuition. More

  • $75

    Learn in an online classroom with no more than 20 classmates. More

Course Description

David Parfitt teaches you how to build a treehouse - from designs to site (or tree) selection and practical building techniques.

The course covers the planning, technology and simple principles needed to design a treehouse that meets your needs, along with ideas and practical skills that will enable you to build it. During this course David will teach you the skills to make a basic treehouse, one that will be adaptable enough for your tree to make its own, and for you to elaborate on to make a glorious treehouse.  You will also be shown ways to tackle most of the situations that you are likely to meet.

You'll look at creative ways to customise your treehouse, and cover design considerations, making platforms for different tree types, materials, fastenings and safety issues.

As you learn you'll be designing your own treehouse, including selecting a tree trunk or multiple tree trunks, planing the platform and support beams and adding access ladders and entry points.

You'll learn:

  • how to choose a suitable tree for your treehouse
  • sketching design plans
  • planning your platform
  • using beams, joists and access points for safety and functionality
  • how to create a treehouse that spans multiple trees

The course includes:

  • 4 on-demand video lessons - presented by David Parfitt
  • lifetime access to the videos, notes and interactive class
  • flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
  • downloadable lesson notes
  • practical treehouse design projects (with tutor feedback available)
  • access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
  • small interactive online classroom - chat online to students from around the world and share your creative ideas

Time to complete the how to build a treehouse course:

Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 9 hours 15 minutes to complete including:

  • Video lessons: 1 hour 15 minutes in total
  • Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
  • Your planting design projects: at least 1 hour per lesson
  • Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
  • Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per lesson

You'll need:

You'll be creating your own treehouse designs throughout the course, so you'll be choosing a tree as the base, sketching your treehouse platform and design features and working out how to secure your treehouse.

Ready to get started?

Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from David on your treehouse.

If you know someone who'd love this course then give it as a gift - just tick "This is a gift" at the checkout.

Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.

CPD Accreditation

Course activity has been accredited by the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO). The course equates to 9 hours, 15 minutes of CPD learning.
The CPD Standards Office. CPD Provider: 50276.

Course outline

  • Choosing your space, planning your structure

    In the first week, we'll understand how to choose a suitable tree, the principles of attaching structures to trees, and ways to approach designing a treehouse, the creative process, understanding safety, how to design and beginning the construction process for building the perfect treehouse.

  • Building your platform (working through a single-trunked platform example)

     Building your platform (working through a single-trunked platform example).  This time we will get more specific and begin to run through the process of constructing a treehouse starting with the platform.

  • Beams & Joists, and spanning multiple trees

    Beams & Joists, and spanning multiple trees.  It's time to take care of the platforms width and add some joists.

  • Making the fantasy a reality

    The superstructure, entry point, hatches and doors, the ladder, and keeping it safe.

Choose how you want to learn

  • The Expert option

    Recommended

    Develop your learning further with marked assignments and personal tuition from David Parfitt

    • Start course whenever you like
    • 4 weeks tutor access for personalised assignment feedback & coaching
    • 4 assignments marked by David Parfitt
    • Certificate of completion and CPD hours
    • Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
    • 4 lessons with expert videos & notes
    • Group chat & direct message with tutor & classmates
    • Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
    Learn more
    $200
  • The Peer option

    Discover the benefits of group learning in an online interactive classroom of no more than 20 people. Get the most from shared knowledge and community study

    • Start course whenever you like
    • Practise what you learn with your peers
    • Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
    • 4 lessons with expert videos & notes
    • 4 course assignments
    • Group chat & direct message classmates
    • Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
    Learn more
    $75

New
Buy this course for a business or group

You can now buy this course through your business or organisation for individuals and groups up to 20

Gardening classroom - how it works

  • Start anytime

    Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors

    Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors
  • Test yourself

    Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments

    Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments
  • Personal tuition

    Get assignment feedback from expert tutors

    Get assignment feedback from expert tutors
  • Share ideas

    Collaborate and chat directly to classmates

    Collaborate and chat directly to classmates

Meet David Parfitt

David Parfitt - Gardening
I'm a visual artist who specialises in site-specific sculpture and public art projects.

Based in Sussex, UK, my activities include the design, production and project management of a range of forms unlimited by materials, but considerate of place.

I enjoy emphasising the social and collaborative aspects of contemporary visual arts practise, and am a consultant, lead artist or initiator on a wide variety of projects with clients such as; multi-national corporations, local authorities, community groups and individuals.

You're probably here to take my treehouse course. They are just beautiful things aren't they? And I look forward to taking you through the process and working with you on your project.

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Awards & Accreditations

  • CPD Accredited (provider 50276)
  • Good Web Guide
  • Red Herring Winner
  • Education Investor Awards 2021 - Finalist
  • Royal Horticultural Society
  • Digital Education Awards 2023 Winner for Digital Health and Wellbeing Learning Product of the Year
  • Digital Education Awards 2023 Winner for Adult Home Learning Product of the Year