Owl Platform Tree Trunk Mount

Redwood Plank Platform

This 2 ft square platform is made with three (3) 12" by 6 ft redwood planks from Home Depot. There's a center plank for strength with a 9" to 8" 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.

On the 8" tall side, the male TV mount is affixed with bolts, lock nuts, and double nuts.

The female TV mount is affixed to the vertical tree trunk with four (4) 6" lag screws*. Two (2) additional 8" lag screws* are driven through the platform side into the tree trunk on either side of the TV mount for additional support.

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

A pressure-treated and stained 4" by 4" length of wood cut at 45 degrees is mounted to the trunk and under the platform base with a 6"* and 4" lag screw, respectively, for additional support. Be careful that the 4" lag screw does not protrude into the floor of the owl platform.

* A longer lag screw may be needed if thick bark is present. Ensure that at least 4" of the screw bites into firm wood.

Parts List

Tools List

  • circular saw

  • rotary sander for rough edges

  • impact driver for wood & lag screws

  • T45 Star Drive and other screw bits

  • oscillating multi-tool to trim shingles

  • staple gun to affix shingles

  • paint brush

  • cherry picker

Schematic

Assembly Time

  • about 5 - 6 hours

Check out the build comments next.

Above: Arrowed lag screws with large washers double-mount the platform to the tree in addition to the male/female mounts.