Let us take you on a journey through time, spanning over three decades, to a magical island off the coastal waters of British Columbia: Salt Spring Island. Tucked within its towering forests stands a treehouse that holds a special place in Pete Nelson’s heart.
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Built in 1992 as a showcase for potential clients, this treehouse was Pete’s first “grown-up” build, the one that helped launch a lifelong career building treehouses around the world.
PC Paul Rushalo
Over the years, countless people have asked us: What happens to a treehouse after 10, 20, or 30 years? We’re proud to say, when built right, they endure. In this case, this original treehouse received very little TLC over the decades… until our crew recently sailed in to breathe new life into it, so the next generation could discover the same treehouse magic that started it all.
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It was 1992, and Pete Nelson was on a mission: build his first, grown-up treehouse with the help of a few good friends and a lot of determination. His search for the perfect host tree led him to a majestic fir on the family property of his friend Charlie Kellogg. Towering 150 feet high with nearly a six-foot diameter, the tree had a slight lean but radiated strength and character. It was love at first sight.
Salt Spring Island Crew of 1992: Pete and Judy Nelson, Emily Nelson, Henry Nelson, Charlie Nelson, Charlie Kellogg, John and Inga Rouches, John MacKenzie, Gaylord Kellogg, Mike Robb, Kipp Stroden and John Tyler | PC Paul Rushalo
Pete sketched up plans for a whimsical design with curved walls supported by timber braces, and then the building began. Pete and his merry band of builders danced among the branches, setting beams and attaching braces.
PC Paul Rushalo
They framed the structure, rigged up curved plywood sheathing, and installed windows that framed the treetop and sea views.
PC Paul Rushalo
There were plenty of hiccups, some terrifying, many head-scratching, but as always, solutions were found. Inside, they paneled the walls in tongue-and-groove cedar. Outside, they wrapped the treehouse in cedar shingles, still a signature of Nelson Treehouse builds today.
PC Paul Rushalo
The final flourish came in the form of beautiful French doors handmade by a German craftsman Pete had met. Each panel held 143 pieces of glass, casting rainbow-colored light into the space as the sun streamed through.
PC Paul Rushalo
One small detail never got finished: the door hardware. But more on that later…
Three decades later, Pete got a call from the new owners of the property. They wanted to bring the treehouse back to life, this time as a writing retreat. Pete didn’t hesitate.
He and one of our lead carpenters, Max McClaughlin, hopped aboard Pete’s boat and made the trip across the Sound to Salt Spring Island for a full “tree-hab” assessment.
To their delight, the core structure was still solid. The treehouse braces were holding strong. But the bridge? Not so much.
The railing had rotted, and the deck boards were ready to give way.
Inside, the years had taken their toll, split walls, a leaky roof, worn floors, and a Juliet balcony that was no longer safe.
One month later, Max returned with two of our carpenters, Pete’s son, Charlie Nelson and Amos Adams to lead the restoration.
Charlie, who was only six-weeks old during the original build, was now returning to the same tree as a seasoned craftsman.
He rebuilt the bridge using the original design, this time with upgraded materials and extra cable anchor points for stability.
Inside, the crew tore out the splitting ceiling and replaced it with salvaged wood from a nearby home renovation.
They made space for the growing tree by repairing and adjusting the interior walls.
To cover gaps and keep critters out, they layered new cedar flooring over the old.
The built-in bed and massive branch were removed to make way for one of the new writing desks.
Charlie crafted a nest-like railing using harvested madrona branches, while Amos, who’s also a writer, built two thoughtful, handcrafted writer’s desks.
And then, Pete returned, thirty years later, to finally install the original door hardware that had waited patiently all this time.
This special treehouse on Salt Spring Island is more than a structure, it’s a time capsule of friendship, craftsmanship, and the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for building in the trees.
For Pete, this restoration wasn’t just a return to where it all began, it was a full-circle moment. Thirty years ago, he built this treehouse as a new father.
Now, he got to restore it side-by-side with his son. Charlie was just 6 weeks old when this treehouse first came to life, and today, he’s helping carry the Nelson Treehouse legacy into the next generation, treehouse at a time.
Thanks to Max, Charlie, Amos, and Pete, this little hideaway in the canopy is ready for another thirty years of inspiration, imagination, and life in the trees.
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