Mega Tree on a deck?

[51fordf2]

Hi, all...

I'm thinking about cutting a hole in the lower octagon on my deck, and putting a mega tree in the middle. I could use the hand rails, for the bottom, giving me a 25+ foot tree, with about a 14 foot diameter. Here's the deck, before it was finished:

http://crbest.com/deck/deckdone03.jpg

http://crbest.com/deck/deckdone04.jpg

http://crbest.com/deck/deckdone06.jpg

Has anyone ever done this? How'd it work out?

I think it would be quick and easy, plus, going through the deck, and tied to the outside, I could go about as high as I had to, to make it look good, plus, it would sure be secure!!

Here's the house, to give you some idea (you can barely see the deck):

http://www.crbest.com/christmas/houseforforum.jpg

Whatcha think?

R

http://www.crbest.com/christmas/vixenlogo.gif

[Warlock]

If you were to do this 25 feet would not be nearly high enough..50 feet or 75 feet might be to have it really look good..Light spacing would be about 3.25 inches to 4.50 inches and it would really be full...If you were to go 60 feet high it would work better math wise..3 70 count led strings per hung line going up and another 3 down..So basically 6 strings per would look hotter then hell...Not sure of your height clearance tho...Anyway just my idea's on it..
Joe..

[deplanche]

I like the idea in general. But I see you have a flag pole in the same area. Why not use that for a slightly smaller mega tree and save yourself from putting a hole in a nice deck?

[WireWrap]

Just a thought before you drill... How about a 2-foot piece of 2x8 with a hole about half-way through, then use 2x4s (probably six or so) as legs outward to your existing posts. Easily taken up post-season and no holes!

[tonypgst]

Ace Hardware had this item that allowed you to put up a tree on a boat dock or deck. It was a metal piece that slide between the decking boards using its mounting cylinder that has a sturdy stainless steel t-bar that fits between wooden planks, allowing you to secure it once the t-bar is turned perpendicular to the planks.

Something like this.. https://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(uh0sk145nkqohuytnr5lkf45)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=9098328 Might want to check out an Ace Hardware as they only sell this in packs of 6 online.

[51fordf2]

I like the idea in general. But I see you have a flag pole in the same area. Why not use that for a slightly smaller mega tree and save yourself from putting a hole in a nice deck?

I thought about the flagpole at first, but even though you can't tell from the pictures, it's rather close to the two big spruce trees, that you can barely see in the last picture. It would be covered up too much in my opinion. I'll have to re-look it, though


If you were to do this 25 feet would not be nearly high enough..50 feet or 75 feet might be to have it really look good. Not sure of your height clearance tho...Anyway just my idea's on it..
Joe..

Joe, I have looked at it. You're right, 50 foot would be grand! But, impossible for me to do - I pretty much work 100% alone on these "projects", so it would be unmanageable. However, looking at the bottom picture, I think someplace about even with the top of the roof on the house, would look fairly good and somewhat balanced. Your opinion?


Just a thought before you drill... How about a 2-foot piece of 2x8 with a hole about half-way through, then use 2x4s (probably six or so) as legs outward to your existing posts. Easily taken up post-season and no holes!

I've thought about that, too. But, this year we had 40 mph winds for almost 36 hours. I think that any type of support, that would withstand that, would be as intrusive as a hole in the deck. I'm not worried in the very least, about a hole - I can always plug it, but we have an umbrella table that goes right where the hole would be, and the deck is going to LONG outlast me, as it is! Years ago, I worried about every little thing - dings in cars, holes in decks, folded over pages in magazines, but now that I'm older, I figure in 100 years, who's going to care, anyway?? :)

But, my wife did raise an eyebrow a bit, when I said "hole", but she hasn't reached the point in her life, that I have in mine.

I just told her, I'm never going to try to sell the deck...

Edit addition: Oh yeah, I also thought about putting it in the "inside corner" of the house, where I have enough room and I could make it 3/4 the height of the house, and look good. As with all the rest, you have to picture the house outlined at all levels in lights, as well as the windows.

Thanks, all...still have some more thinking to do, but thankfully, it's only 352 days left until Christmas!

Roger

[51fordf2]

One more thought yet - since we're on the subject of "wanna's", the bottom picture in my first post was taken from my shop, across the street. Here's a pic of the shop. With the new Helix card coming in a few months, I'll probably decorate over there, also - the Helix is wireless, so I can do BOTH sides of the street, including the neighbors, and basically have the whole block decorated, and synchronized! I can power both the house and shop, from the shop, and my house. I might have to pitch in a few bucks on the near-neighbors house, if they go along with it, but they decorate anyway, and it actually would probably be less money, than them leaving them on 24/7 like they did most of the time, this year.

http://crbest.com/shop/03.jpg

Sound like fun, or what!!??!!

R

[phenagan]

You could also make the support so that is was below the level of the deck and cover it with a little hatch made of the decking wood when it's not in use. I have a sprinkler valve array under mine that's covered like that. Unless you're looking for it, you really don't notice it.

Make it as tall as you can handle, but with those 40mph winds, make sure it's well guy wired, otherwise you're going to have a mess.

[51fordf2]

Well, after going out and brushing off the snow, and looking, I think I can make a mount, similar to what was mentioned - I have a plasma cutter, welder - all the goodies, and I can make a steel holder, that would have "legs" that would go down through the gaps between boards, then have a cap, and wedges to hold it firmly. Hope you can picture it...but can be done, without drilling a hole. I can make the plate 3' long or so, so it would be well supported (that's my main worry) at the bottom. Then, multiple guy wires can be mounted to the handrail. I over-built the deck, so it won't be a problem.

That's what I love about this place! Always have a better or different solution - a bunch of minds is MUCH better than what's left of mine!! (child of the 60's and 70's!!).

Thanks, all!

Roger

[51fordf2]

Something like this - I'm no artist, but I think you can get the idea...