what is Natural state treehouses?
Based in Northwest Arkansas, Natural State Treehouses Inc. specializes in custom play structures, swingsets, and treehouses for children and adults. We believe that everyone needs a place to play outside, to connect with nature and their own imaginations, and to escape from the world for a while.
Here are a few things that set us apart:
custom design
Whether it's a swingset with a tower and slide, a writer's retreat in the trees, or a life-size doll house that matches the design of your home, the best designs come out of conversation. We'll sit (and draw) with you until we find the perfect design to fit your needs.
quality materials
We only use the best regionally sourced cedar and cypress lumber. Why? Because it lasts, it looks beautiful, and it's naturally resistant to the elements without chemical preservatives found in pressure treated wood - chemicals that can leach arsenic and other harmful substances on to your hands and into your soil. Plus, we just don't like the idea of using redwood lumber shipped from California. We also use non-toxic, environmentally-friendly paints and stains. Read more about the durability and sustainability of cypress here.
craftsmanship
All too often, we see playsets that are poorly constructed and poorly installed, often creating unsafe environments for kids. Our work is done in the old style, using time-tested standards of true craftsmanship. Our structures are safe and are meant to last.
how we got started
Natural State Treehouses Inc. is firmly rooted in Arkansas. Owners Josh and Kate Hart both graduated from Fayetteville High School, married here in 2001, earned history degrees from Hendrix College, and after traveling the world, returned to Northwest Arkansas to start a family. In 2010, we wanted to surprise our kids with a brand new playset for Christmas, but quickly discovered that most commercial sets are flimsy, expensive, and made of imported wood. Santa settled for a used playset from Craigslist, but when our oldest child asked "Is this playset recycled?", the idea for Natural State Treehouses was born. Combining Josh’s carpentry and management experience with Kate’s early childhood education and graphic design experience, we launched the business in spring of 2011, starting in our own backyard.
Since then, we’ve built hundreds of structures, everywhere from homes, neighborhood parks, and local schools to venues like the Amazeum, Lake Atalanta Park, and Ozark Folkways. Today Kate maintains our website in addition to writing books and making art (often with treehouse scrap wood); Josh is a licensed contractor who designs every project and oversees all other aspects of the business.
our crew
We’re lucky to call on the skills of local carpenters:
Jake Mitchael
Michael Thorup
Dylan Earl
Jackson Wells
Ben Wilson
Jimbo Russell
John Vande Velde
Bobby Ruiz
Evan Howell
Over the years, we’ve also been grateful for the work of
Clay Fecht, Joshua Walters, Gavin Smith, Jake Bontrager, Luke Knox, Nick Cerra, Nick Lohanick, Connor Smith, Ansel Ogle, Adam Riley, Kale Ogle, Sydney Kaess, Alex French, Noah Richmond, Benji Hardy, Beau Pearson, Ashley Smith, Rony Ramirez, and Christopher Curry.
