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We wanted to show, with ingenuity and elbow grease, they could become a valuable building material. My wife, Hiroko, and I re alized the barrels would be perfect for a treehouse, as each was just the right size for a circular room!

The first task was to get the barrels from the factory, hose them down thoroughly, and hoist them up. We then built a wooden platform deck which we supported with 200 recycled telephone poles. (We always avoided using nails in the trees.) We then placed the barrels on the deck to form individual rooms. These were imaginatively designed by Hiroko, who must take all the credit for making the treehouse a home. If it had just been me, it would have ended up like something Tarzan would have lived in.

The treehouse is roughly pentagonal, and is supported on each corner by a different tree. Each side is a slightly different length to accommodate the five supporting trees, and the house sways in strong winds.

"I find that trees and treehouses seem to bring out the best in people..." JOHN-SAN

Growing through the center is a tsubaki tree, which flowers bright red in winter. Our children like to play in it and hang toys and paintings in its branches. In summer the space around the tree creates natural air conditioning: A sunlight heated pipe in the roof draws cool air into the house from around the tree trunk.

The second floor has no walls. Through the skylight we can track the course of the moon, stars and season and move our bed to follow them.

I find trees and treehouses seem to bring out the best in people one reason I founded a tree-climbing school. The school has now helped more than 1,400 people enjoy the treetops. The initial inspiration came from a special friend, Mrs. Hikosaka. I first spotted her from 80 feet (24 meters) up in the treetops, as two assistants struggled to push her small, frail body in a wheelchair across the forest floor.

When she reached my tree, she half-yelled, half-whispered with all her strength, "I would give everything in the world to leave this wheelchair and sit in the treetops with you!" A year later Mrs. Hikosaka and I were shedding tears of joy in the treetop. Inside that frail, mangled body was a strong and courageous woman who had learned to climb trees.

FAMILY MATTERS

David Kibbey In 1984 I was approached by a couple, Larry and Stephanie Engel, who wanted to build a treehouse for their children, Laura and Brian. Larry, an attorney, was all thumbs when it came to carpentry. Stephanie is a dreamer, poet, songwriter and composer who was inspired to create a spirited fantasy environment for their children. I agreed to design and build the treehouse, on the condition that the whole family would participate in the process.

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