Treehouse Guy on DIY Network has Yestermorrow Roots

Former Yestermorrow instructor and longtime friend of the school, James “B’fer” Roth, has hit the big time as co-star of “The Treehouse Guys” airing on the DIY Network. 

B'fer's introduction to treehouse building was as a team member of the crew that designed and built Yestermorrow's (now defunct) wheelchair accessible treehouse. That project was a prototype for the fledgling Forever Young Treehouse organization, with which B'fer than played a major role as a designer and builder of numerous universally accessible treehouses in camps and public parks. He has more recently continued that work for a variety of clients as a member of the Treehouse Guys, with building partner Chris Haake.

In 2013, they were approached by the DIY Network about starring in a show, and the rest is history. A pilot was filmed and aired in 2014, and a full six-episode season is currently airing on Tuesday nights.  B'fer and Chris are now zig-zagging around the country building spectacular treehouses for clients in Florida, California, Hawaii, and points in between, and getting to show off the design/build process to the masses of wannabe treehouse builders and owners each week. Tune in and get inspired!

Life and Death of a Structure

When I arrived at Yestermorrow for the first time in the summer of 2002, one of my first assignments was to join John Connell (Yestermorrow's founder) for a day to work with him shingling the exterior of the Yestermorrow treehouse. He would hold each cedar shingle up to the wall, draw a pencil line to continue the organic curve of the wall, and then hand it to me. I would jigsaw the shingle, then hand it back to him to hammer in. It was tedious work, but inspiring to see the care and attention given to each and every detail.

Photo credit Matthew Rakola

The Yestermorrow treehouse was a brainchild of John Connell and arborist Bill DeVos, and the first of what would prove to be many Yestermorrow treehouse projects. The treehouse was designed as an early prototype for a universally accessible treehouse and the unofficial launch of the Forever Young Treehouse organization. Started in the summer of 2000, the treehouse evolved over the next five years to become one of the flagship hang-out spots on campus, boasting a handmade hammock and an eclectic collection of furniture built by students over the years. The treehouse has hosted many a quiet nap break, gaggles of schoolchildren, yoga classes, and the occasional staff meeting.

Built and maintained by many Yestermorrow faculty, staff, interns and volunteers, the Yestermorrow treehouse has been a collaborative effort, and has continued to evolve with new additions and improvements from year to year. 

Photo credit Dean Kaufman

Since its construction, Yestermorrow has offered one of the only treehouse design and construction courses in the world, inspiring many students to go on to build their own backyard projects. Moreover, many of the people involved in building Yestermorrow's treehouse took the knowledge gained to other treehouse projects around the world, including Forever Young Treehouses, The Treehouse Guys, Stauffer Woodworking, Winvian Farm Resort and others.

Sadly, though, Yestermorrow's treehouse prototype must come down this spring after 14 years of enjoyment and learning. Last fall we discovered serious structural rot issues compromising the safety of the structure and since then have had it closed to visitors. After investigating what it would take to repair the structure, replace the roof, and rebuild the ramp, we've decided to deconstruct the treehouse and put our attention towards a new future treehouse on campus. This summer's treehouse class will hopefully help us identify potential sites and start the brainstorming process.

Photo credit Matthew Rakola

Prior to its deconstruction in early May we would like to invite everyone who helped to build the structure and who has enjoyed it over the years to join us for a memorial of sorts, to celebrate and appreciate the Yestermorrow treehouse on Sunday, April 13th at 4:00pm. If you cannot join us in person please feel free to send your remembrances to kate@yestermorrow.org to be shared at the ceremony.


Kate Stephenson
Executive Director

Live From the Tiny House Fair: Think Outside the Box

(and building for a whole heck of a lot less while you're at it)

What a way to start the day!

"the cub", a.k.a. smurfmobile

Strolling across the sunny lawn to breakfast this morning, I was excited to see the arrival of "The Cub," a 4'x7' house on wheels that brothers Deek and Dustin Diedricksen of Relaxshacks are cozily calling home for the weekend.

The two started off today's activities with their talk "How to Build Your Own Home for a Heck of a Lot Less - Thinking Outside the Box." Anyone who's morning coffee hadn't quite kicked in yet, was quickly awoken by Deek's charisma and wit as he and Dustin related their experiences with building small-sized treehouses, trailer houses, and "ground-bound dwellings," using largely found, salvaged, and alternatively-purposed materials. In addition to testing the limits of what constitutes a dwelling space, making "cheap" art, and creatively building, the two are dedicated to re-directing the waste stream, getting functional materials out of the landfill and into use.

With over 20 years of "freeform building" under their belts, and Dustin's work as an environmental toxicologist, the two had a wealth of knowledge, experience, tips, and tricks to share. What I was most struck by, however, was the strong sense of freedom to experiment, learn, and push boundaries they'd granted themselves by seeking materials outside of the conventional. With stacks of found and free wood and odd windows, why not see if you could build a home in under 40 sq. ft? Why not create asymmetric window and siding patterns? Or use salad bowls and pickle jars as protruding windows and inset terrariums?

Some of Deek and Dustin's Tricks and Tips for Salvagers, Trash-Pickers, and Tiny-Livers:

- Keep a materials salvage Road Kit in your car, including: tarp, straps and bungees, crowbar, hammer, drill, Leatherman/multi-tool
- Let people know that you're interested in collecting building materials - word gets around!
- Develop a relationship with your local mom'n'pop sawyer and lumberyard
- Surf Craigslist (especially in affluent areas)
- Visit the "Take It or Leave It" section at the transfer station
- Ask for mis-mixed "oops" paint at the Loews or Home Depot
- Project Phasing: with some poly- or weather-protecting finish, it's fine to leave plywood sub-floor or sheathing exposed as your flooring or siding; don't worry about "finishing" it until you come by the money or desire!
- Get creative with typical household items - a glass bowl can become a window, a metal pail could be a sink, a teapot is a perfect planter
- Try It Before You Buy It - airbnb.com is full of tiny houses for rent, so next time you travel, thinking about booking a small space instead of a hotel room
- Space-Savers: Murphy beds, fold-down tables, shelving nooks behind stairs or in protruding windows, stair step seating


Do you have any creative ideas for inexpensive, small-scale living? Share your dreams and designs!

WANTED: Treehouse Project in the Mad River Valley

Yestermorrow is seeking a few good trees and a client with imagination. We are reaching out to local organizations and individuals interested in hosting a site for a new treehouse. The project will be built during our adult design/build class starting September 4th, use minimally invasive techniques and built with surroundings in mind. Uses for treehouses are only limited by what one imagine.

Yestermorrow is committed to working with and improving the local community. We do this by offering time and skills in building and collaborating on a range of construction projects. The client for this project must be at most a 35 minute drive from the campus in Warren and be ready for immediate construction in September 2010. While we provide the labor, clients are responsible for the cost of materials and overhead. For more information and guidelines regarding the project, please contact our Community Outreach Coordinator at julie@yestermorrow.org or at 802-496-5545.

Dominican Republic class builds children's park for Pueblo of Samana

This just in from instructor Kyle Bergman whose Dominican Republic Design/Build class wrapped up last Friday 1/22.

"Hi all,

A quick snapshot of the 2010 Dominican Republic Design Build Class. This was another adventure and a successful project. We designed and build a children’s park for Pueblo of Samana – which is 45,000 people strong. There has not been a children’s park in the town since the early 60’s. Many of the children there have never been on a slide.

We transformed a former dog fighting ring into a kid's park, with a tree house, hopscotch, a slide, murals, sculptural bamboo gates all in a very shady part of the main green in the center of town. We had our challenges beginning with the rain and then a backhoe (trying to deliver materials) knocking down one of our existing walls and a few trees ( a good opportunity to redesign), electricity going on and off, a 7.0 earthquake 197 miles away, stop orders by different political factions one with guns and guys in military wear – but the Mayor came each time and we got the go ahead to keep pushing to finish. The last night we worked until dark and then had a candle light rooftop Yestermorrow awards ceremony followed by dancing at the local bachata place and then came back next morning at 7:00 to finish and clean up before the 10:00am dedication ceremony. This was all topped off with Whale Watching during our final afternoon.

Kyle"

Check out some images of the class and final project in our Picasa gallery

A little treehouse in the woods

A few years ago Harry and Will Reynolds (father and son) took the Treehouse Design course at Yestermorrow led by John Connell. They took their plans back to their home in Lincoln, VT and built it together over three summers. It’s now heated, wired, insulated and finished and rented out as a bed and breakfast spot for folks looking for an unique lodging spot. The treehouse is very quiet and perched on four maples in a blanket of ferns. Access is by a ramp 50 ft. from the main house. The loft has a queen sized futon and there is a single bed on the main floor. It also has a comfy reading chair that rocks and a porch. Private bath and shower in the main house. Their treehouse is rented out through the website http://www.airbnb.com/ where it’s been ranked in the top 40 sites worldwide and they have hosted guests from as far away as England and Australia.