Platform Atop a Topped Tree

Redwood Plank Platform

This 2 ft square platform is made with 12" by 6 ft redwood planks from Home Depot. There's a center plank for strength with a 6" lip around the perimeter.

Star drive wood screws with corner and floor L brackets give it strength. Cedar shingles around the perimeter give it a nice look while a transparent stain (not paint, which would be poisonous for the owls) preserves the wood.

Add the metal handle to one side of your platform to allow for easy transport and placement atop the cherry picker.

And don't forget to add six 1/2" drainage holes to your platform so it doesn't flood!

Four (4) star drive 4 inch lag screws, centered mounted, affix the platform securely atop your topped pine.

Parts List

• 2 12" by 6' by 3/4" redwood planks

• box 3/4" coarse thread, wood screws

• box 1 1/4" coarse thread, wood screws

• 2 sets 2" black L corner brackets

• 1 set flat 2" L brackets for top corners

• 1 9" metal handle for cherry picker use

• 1 can transparent 401 Behr stain

• cedar shingles (try & recycle old ones)

• 1 set 4" star drive lag screws

• 1 metal 9" handle

Tools List

• circular saw

• rotary sander for rough edges

• impact driver for wood & lag screws

• oscillating multi-tool to trim shingles

• staple gun to affix shingles

• paint brush

• cherry picker

Schematic

• PDF

Build Cost

• $80 in materials with 4 - 5 hours assembly

• or have Carmel Owls build it for $300