DIY: Uglow's Tree

[Uglow]

Hi guys,
Since I'm fairly new to the parrot world and don't always have advice coming from years of experience, I'm excited to contribute how I made Uglow's play tree.

First off you'll need some tools.
-Drill
-Hand Saw (preferably a reciprocating saw for ease)
-Miter Saw or Circular Saw
-Table Saw "optional" you can the store cut the size you need
-Rotary tool - with sanding and grinding attachment
-Gardening Shears
-Tape Measure
-Goggles and Dust Mask

Hardware
-1 inch Stainless Steel Wood Screws (NOT Zink or Galvanized)
-2 inch Stainless Steel Wood Screws
-3 - 3.5 inch Stainless Steel Wood Screws "large gauge"
-1 heavy duty Hanger Bolt with matching Washer and Nut.

Lumber (this all depends on the specs you set for yourself, heat treated pine with NO SAP pockets and Poplar are bird safe but please do your own research)
-Plywood (for base)
-1x4 or 1x3 (quantity and length depending on size of base)
-2x4 or 2x3 (stabilizer. depending on how heavy duty your tree is)
-2x2 or 4x4 (tree trunk. depending on how heavy duty your tree is)

Other Materials
-Sealer (I used waterbased polyacrylic- for speed and less fumes)
*you'll need a sealer in most cases because some plywood has
formaldehyde in it and will emit fumes.
-Casters (optional but helpful)
-Wood glue
-Rope (optional)
-Eye Screws Stainless Steel

Branches
This is entirely up to you. If you have access to bird safe, chemical free branches then use those. Living in the city, I do not. I ordered Sandblasted Grape Wood and Sandblasted Manzanita branches from Manzanita Branches from Blooms and Branches 10" to 7 ft.

Prepping Branches
Using your shears and rotary tool, prep your branches by removing smaller twigs as you see fit. In my case the Manzanita branches had some very sharp points. I sanded those down to safe nubs. Make your branches as bird safe as possible. Use your best judgement and look at existing store bought branches. See what they did right and how you may improve on them. Arrange your branches to see how you want the tree to roughly look and set a side.

Getting the Base Going
Decide on the size you want the base to be. I went with 24 x 36 inches. I got 1/2 inch birch ply. Clear coat.
cut your 1X4 to frame the bottom with glue and stainless steel screws. First the front and back.

Then the sides.

Cut your 1x4 to frame the edges with glue and stainless steel screws. First the front and back.

Then the sides.

Add your casters now.

Tree Trunk and Stabilizer
Using the Hanger bolt, washer and nut, attach the trunk where you desire.

Using your Stabilizer measure and cut at 45 degree angles to stabilize the trunk.

 

[Uglow]

Branch Hub
next you want to make a piece that will allow you to secure your branches into. If you make it so it slides out, this will help with cleaning your tree.
Do not glue these pieces together because you may need to take parts off to attach branches from the inside. This is a more organic element to the tree. you just need surfaces to attach branches too. This is how I made mine.

Securing Branches
Set up your branches around the HUB and secure using your heavy duty stainless steel screws. This is a trial and error thing. Be flexible and be prepared to have to redo some things or score some new branches.

Final Steps
Have your bird test it out. target him/her to all the spots and see where they struggle or if some parts get in the way. Adjust the branches if necessary. I had to cut some off of mine for example. Using your eye screws and rope, you can create contact points between hard to reach areas.

Add more eye screws for toys to hang from.
Monitor your bird and look for potential dangers. Adjust accordingly.

This all cost me less that 200 bucks but I already had all the tools. It's far cheaper than the store bought trees and custom made with my bird in mind. If you have the know-how or a friend that does, it's really fun project.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[JerseyWendy]

PHENOMENAL!!! WOW!!!! That is one spectacular tree you built there!! :worship2: :emoticonc

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions, too!!!

 

[Terry57]

What a fantastic thread!! Magnificent play tree for the beautiful Uglow (who looks like he is already enjoying it!)! I think even I could do it with your wonderful instructions. Thank you so much!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Wow many pats on the back for this, very impressed indeed.

Guess what hubby is going to be shown on here???

Uglow looks a very happy birdie indeed.

PS thanks for all the instructions and pics

 

[wrench13]

Please tell us u used stainless steel screws, and not zinc plated ones.

 

[chris-md]

WOWOWOWOW! That's insane! I didn't realize you actually made it yourself, I thought you just bought it. Beautiful!

 

[katie_fleming]

WOW that's incredible! So how much are you selling these for?!?

I'd love to get Jasper a java wood tree playgym sometime but will have to wait until I'm in a house. My small apartment already has his birdie mansion and big playgym, no room for anything else right now!!

 

[Kiwibird]

Great tree! The last pic is priceless

 

[Flboy]

Please tell us u used stainless steel screws, and not zinc plated ones.

Awesome! Yes SS screws are in the list!

 

[Anansi]

Wow! That's an amazing tree stand! Looks so well done and professional! Thanks for the step by step instructions!

 

[Uglow]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I noticed so many grammatical errors. Sorry, I was in a hurry.

Wow many pats on the back for this, very impressed indeed.

Guess what hubby is going to be shown on here???

Uglow looks a very happy birdie indeed.

PS thanks for all the instructions and pics

Thanks, I would love to see what he comes up with.

WOW that's incredible! So how much are you selling these for?!?

I'd love to get Jasper a java wood tree playgym sometime but will have to wait until I'm in a house. My small apartment already has his birdie mansion and big playgym, no room for anything else right now!!

Thanks, I have to say, Uglow has a small tabletop java wood tree and he hated it for the longest time. I think they're too slippery. I'm not sure if other's have had an issue with the polished java wood, but Uglow slipped off once and never went back. I ended up getting a course file and scarred it up for him. I also added rope to it, to give his beak something he can grab on to for stability. He finally starting to warm up to it again.

Thanks again guys.

 

[drlisaort]

Very impressive!!! I have a huge stand on wheels with branches that Oliver loves but it cost $700.00 and to be honest, I like yours better!!!

 

[camo]

Well done. That's a great project, something I have been meaning to do myself, so thanks for the motivation!

Cheers,

Cameron

 

[Uglow]

Very impressive!!! I have a huge stand on wheels with branches that Oliver loves but it cost $700.00 and to be honest, I like yours better!!!

Thank you. Yeah, the price tag was one of my motivators.

Well done. That's a great project, something I have been meaning to do myself, so thanks for the motivation!

Cheers,

Cameron

No sweat. Please let me know if you have any questions and I would love to see what you come up with.

 

[waynes91]

awesome, that on the to do list