Tree houses have a long history. Tree dwellings can be traced back to people from the South Pacific and Southeast Asia who lived in trees because they were secure homes for their families. People came and went in thatched baskets that were raised and lowered down the tree trunk. In New Guinea tree houses called “dobbos” were used as fortresses. When villages were under attack the people quickly climbed into their tree houses raised the ladders and pelted their attackers with stones and spears from above. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries tree houses became fashionable and began cropping up throughout Europe.

To read the rest of this story please buy this issue of Mishpacha or sign up for a weekly subscription.