An Update on the Tree Platform

Wellll, I got so busy building, I didn't have the time nor energy to blog for a few days. I'm not sure how many more times I've been out since my last post but I think it was one day with the family (work is slow and not very productive at all when the kids are 'helping') and then just a few more hours spread over a couple of weekday visits.

To review, here's what I had completed on Friday, April 20:

We went out to to the property as a family on Sunday and I took advantage of the extra adult help by loading the car up with lots of plywood. We decided that using plywood for the decking would be the way to go for now since it's affordable and with a coat of porch and floor paint (or two), it would hold up for at least a few years.

We installed two full sheets of plywood then also discovered that the two partial sheets a friend had given us fit really well to finish off the sides. I'd just need to take measurements and cut the two remaining pieces at home (I still haven't taken the generator and power tools out).

I also installed several of the railing supports I had found on the side of the road a  couple of months ago.

Big kid even joined me for a bit but he was content to just sit and stare out at the forest. This made my mama heart very happy.

The dog wasn't helpful one bit.

The next day, Monday, I returned and got so wrapped up in building that I failed to take many pictures. I did, however, get two coats of porch and floor paint on the platform after I installed the final two pieces of plywood. Then I started building a counter/firewood storage area using scrap lumber and composite decking I had hauled out with no real purpose in mind.

I completely love this space now. The firewood stays relatively dry here and the counter is super useful.

I even found a good use for one of the trellis panels a neighbor gave me.

There was just one problem with the build so far and that's that the back corner of the platform was starting to droop a bit. I wondered if I'd need corner supports and tried to get away with not using them but it's not ideal. I didn't have the materials to fix the problem on Monday so I shoved a scrap piece of pressure treated 2x6 under the corner to hold it until I could return with a plan and some supplies.

I managed to sneak back out on Wednesday which was a huge relief since my mind was spinning with worst case scenarios around the platform. It turns out that was all for nothing as my brace had done a great job holding everything up and I was able to install a 4x4 post in a new concrete footing.

I dug a nice deep hole, fit it with a concrete tube, placed a big rock in the bottom, set the post in, checked for plumb on all sides, then poured in the fast setting concrete mix and added water. It had already set by the time I left 2 hours later but it'll take a bit more time to fully harden. I left the extra post in place for a couple of days while it cured.

Besides that major fix, I tinkered around a bit. I secured the Trex scraps to the rails for the counter top above the firewood and a few other things. My big goal for that visit was to get the corner post set so having done that, I was feeling pretty good.

I think that pretty well summarizes how things are moving along out there. Here's one final picture for you:

Thank you for reading,
Julie