Why you should sell everything now and live in a tree

09-24-2011 • Terrence Aym

As what was once the proud nation of the United States of America slips into the status of a Third World nation, some economists are suggesting their wealthier clients consider moving themselves and their assets out of the country. What countries? The Czech Republic, Belize and Chile are among the top favorites. But what if you can't leave the country? What if you lost your job, don't have any real assets to fall back on, or are simply reluctant to leave behind everything that's familiar to you? Then you might consider living in a tree. It's no joke. It's an option some are considering.

2 Comments in Response to Why you should sell everything now and live in a tree

Comment by David Jackson

Entered on: 9/26/2011 12:39:51 PM

The motivations are valid, but there are better options than trees.

Unless you can sell what you own for some major "change", you'll be pretty hard-pressed to afford a "modern" and functional treehouse. It's bad enough that you will have to put up with high winds, forest fires, woodpeckers, ants, various varmits, and a position as a "sitting duck", but the idea of doing this (unless yoou are a highly proficient contractor) in the face of zoning and other "social" hinderances, makes such a project just a little more than an alternative living arrangement.

For those who are truly concerned with the likelihood of social collapse and a need to "get out of Dodge", "off the grid", or "back to the land", before everything collapses, the answer isn't likely to be an adult playhouse in the trees.

Comment by trevor

Entered on: 9/24/2011 5:38:26 PM

Tree structures are awesome but there's a few considerations.

1. penetrating the tree to lago-bolt or nail into it is problematic for the tree. It opens it up to infection and it reduces the tree's mobility in high wind which is what is supposed to keep it from falling down on top of you.

2. Lashing (rope) techniques are favored for affixing your house to a tree and be sure to use NON STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES as cussions between your lumber and the tree. One of the most sensitive areas to a tree is the green layer just below the bark. That's your tree's circulatory and nervous system.

3. Know how many of your local building codes "permit" you to build a "residence" in a tree? Not too many. Keeping such structures termed as temporary play houses is a good way to think. This implies a reduced level of lifestyle expectation not spoken of in the pics that the reference links to.

4. Of course if you are a multi billionaire, screw it, you can build what you want wherever you want.

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