The Nelson Treehouse science of building safely and sustainably up in the trees is founded on the use of the highest-quality, heavy-duty, specialized treehouse hardware. We have spent over 30 years consulting with and working alongside carpenters, arborists, and engineers to develop the hefty hardware we trust in every treehouse we build.

Our treehouse hardware is comprised of heavy, heat-treated steel – a single standard-limb TAB weighs 18 pounds. It’s professional-grade, but DIY-friendly: hundreds of backyard treehouse-builders around the world have used our hardware to create the treehouse of their dreams. Our standard-limb and heavy-limb hardware is fabricated in the USA.

Treehouses are elevated structures that rest on living organisms. Despite their playful spirit, they can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, making the connection between the tree and treehouse critical for safety and sustainability. 

When factoring in tree growth, movement, snowload, wind, etc. the forces affecting your treehouse are substantial. The key to a successful treehouse project is accounting for these naturally occurring factors.

When properly installed, our treehouse hardware provides a safe, sustainable, and strong support system for your treehouse without causing irreparable damage to the trees. Investing in specialized treehouse hardware is key to ensuring the structural integrity of your build.

For most DIY backyard projects, Tree Fort or Standard Limb Hardware will suffice. Our Heavy Limb Hardware is typically used for larger, professional builds.

This will depend on the scale of your project as well as factors including tree species, snowload, wind exposure and more. A good rule of thumb is that the Tree Fort Hardware System is used in kid-scale, backyard projects. Standard Limb Hardware is used for more "adult" scale treehouses that may have a loft, electricity and is, generally speaking, more than 10'x12' in size. Heavy Limb Hardware is used for most commercial grade projects - large in scale and typically structurally engineered.

You will receive an instant digital download with installation instructions to your email after purchase. You can also visit the Hardware Installation Instruction page for more information.

• Clearance must be provided between your beams and trees. Follow the instructions provided with your hardware to place beams where they are intended to be on the TABs.
• Keep joists 6" away from the bark of a tree.
• Keep walls at least 12" and roofs at least 7" away from the tree.
• Trim decking 2" back from the bark of the tree. Repeat this as the tree grows or if rubbing occurs.
• If you want a weather-tight building envelope, keep trunks and branches from penetrating the envelope. It's very difficult to seal the area where tree limbs enter the interior, resulting in perpetual moisture issues.
• Beware of using excessive beam or joist cantilevers. Not only do they have a ‘diving board’, bouncy effect, but the loads on the beams and hardware will multiply.
• Knee braces should always be opposing each other or balanced, or used in a static situation. A single knee brace in a dynamic scenario can create a ‘jacking’ effect, moving the platform sideways over time.
• When using a Wood Yoke design, tremendous forces can occur in the struts and lower TABs. These should only be lightly loaded, and preferably engineered.
• Protecting the critical root area around the trees is imperative. It is best to place 6"-12” of wood chips over the work area, and be mindful when digging or using machinery

In order to participate in the rental program, you must clarify in an order note or email before shipment that you would like a rental bit or auger. Then if they are returned, undamaged within 30 days, you receive a 60% refund. NOTE: The Tree Fort Installation Kit is not eligible for the rental program.

We do not rent any tools at this time.