Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Building a Kids Tree Platform

My duaghter has taken up reading this year "Yeh!!" and she has found a quite spot in a tree. The Y is a bit small and I want to build a platform to incourage her to spend more reading time there. I have planned a trianglular platform between the trunk, the large branch and a 4x4 post 3' from the intersection. The platform will be 6' off the ground. Connecting all and using as joists; will 2" x 6" be strong enough? I was planning on 16" on center for the joists and covering it all with 1" x 6" planking board. All of this will be preasure treated material and the 4x4 will be 2' in the ground. The trunk has a diameter of 30" and the branch is 15". I want to keep it light weight but at the same time be strong enough to allow at the most her & I up there together for reading quality time. Please provide thoughts and sugestions. My daughter never liked to read before and has showed som real excitement in the reading platform plans. At 12 I think she has only read 15 books and 5 were during this summer.

Doug

Sounds like a great plan for your daughter's reading treehouse!

2X6 at 16" on center will be fine. For the decking material you say 1X6, this will most likely be ok; however, a 5/4 decking board you will offer a better platform.

Good luck, I have a young daughter as well and I can understand the excitement you feel.

Stopping @ HD on the way home tonight for materials and the project shall begin.

Thanks for the feed back.

Doug

I am a hit. My daughter loves her hiding place and has spent her last week of vacation up there reading and enjoying the fresh air. The wife checked it out over the holiday weekend and has plans to disappear for a while as well. Hopefully Sunday's will be warm & I can watch some football in Peace :)