Tree house over a dog kennel ........Will it fall over?

yelbike · Apr 27, 2012

So I want to build a tree house for the kids with a dog run beneath it. I want to set 6 post (6"x6"x 16') in the ground. Originally I was going to buy a post hole auger

for this project, then I unfortunately my neighbour offered their gas powered auger. I want to make the floor height about 5-6 and the wall another 5-6 high then the roof. The neighbour auger is only 32" deep.

Is that deep enough to withsand the my wind loads?
I live in a very open area with out much wind breaks. I'm worried about tipping. Should I go deeper?

Combustix · Apr 27, 2012

I think with the size of your posts and setting them in concrete should work. I would have the post holes at least 10-12 inch holes and I would put a spike or two in the bottom of the post in the concrete to help hold the post. sounds like a fun project.

Pete Judd · Apr 27, 2012

32 inches, should be just below your frost line, set them in concrete and forget. Your grand kids will enjoy it when the bring the home in years to come.

RandyBell · Apr 27, 2012

I'm not sure if 32" is deep enough I know here in Ohio we generally go 36" at a minimum, and I know it gets alot colder up there. Any way put some gravel in the bottom of the holes before the posts and concrete so the water will drain and not rot the posts. The sizes seem fine, just remember your kids will be up there, besides if it isn't sturdy enough do you really want to hear it from the Mrs.
Good Luck

Depmandog · Apr 28, 2012

Surely you can borrow a set of post hole jobbers to extend the holes another 6"....

If you have zero options in that dept....take a shovel and dig an oversize hole down about 6" - to allow the base of the engine down in the hole. This will give you the extra depth you want (perhaps don't need). Of course I have no way of knowing what your auger looks like, but this should work with most, including this one:

Just be careful and not smash your hands...wear leather gloves.

Concerning the construction - make sure to frame in diagonal bracing on all sides. Should be stout then!

NHmitch · Apr 28, 2012

I have quite a bit of experience putting in 4x4's with concrete, since we have them all over our farm due to the wet soil, and the roots, and boulders. I have always tried for at least 36 inches, but often, I have not been able to get that deep. You can rent a longer auger from Homedepot and attach to your friends post hole digger. The easiest way to do it is use the auger that he has, and then dig the rest by hand with a manual post hole digger. Especially if it is only 4 holes. The only limiting factor you will have will be the length of the 4x4's. We used the quickrete that does not need mixing ahead of time, and it worked solid in all of the holes. I found that you only need about a half a bag in each hole, and about 1/2 gallon of water on top of the dry quickrete you pour in the hole. My grandfather built a tree house about 25 years ago using an A frame style, see attached photo. It was great, and we had plenty of room to play inside. The other great thing was he did not have to worry about a weight bearing roof. Feet of snow, and rain were never an issue with it, and the structure is stronger this way. It will not top over. You may want to consider it. I took this photo last summer, and I played in this when I was about 5, and my daughter plays in it to this day. It really was a solid design, and very wind resistant, and there is plenty of room for a dog house below. Let us know what you decide to do!

newbury · Apr 28, 2012

:thumbsup::thumbsup: for the A -frame style.
If wind is a concern some form of angles are needed for bracing.

Looking4new · Apr 28, 2012

I would punch my holes 5-6' deep. You want to be below the frost line. You get a lot colder up there than I do in North Bay, Ontario and our frost line is at the 4' mark. That is the only change I would make to the other comments.

yelbike · Apr 30, 2012

Well I started the tree house for those who want pictures here are the first ones.

RobertBrown · May 1, 2012

yelbike said:
Well I started the tree house for those who want pictures here are the first ones.

Since the dog kennel will not get exposure to any rain or sun, and it's not on a slab. Before long, it's going to stink like ****.
Maybe this is why you don't see tree houses over dog kennels very often.