Airy Castle

In 1884, the New York Times published an article describing "A house in the treetops"  and then in 1887 Gene M Underwood wrote in "Outing magazine" of "The Man Who Lives in a Tree". These two articles describe separate visits to a Mr A. B. Hayward in Washington, and two separate buildings - both apparently called called "Airy Castle".

Only the latter article has any illustrations and these give an unclear (and contradictory) view of the construction so I have tried to re-interpret the information contained in the two sources.

The first building (visited in 1884) is very simple - two trees and 5 poles support a platform 13 feet off the ground and 12 by 7.5 feet. Half of the platform has a 3 foot high planking wall with a ridgetent-like canvas construction over the top. The remainder of the platform is railed with a ladder entering from below. This appears to be the first illustration in the Underwood article (the article itself however, describes the later, larger construction). The interviewer is told of Mr Hayward's purchase of some nearby land with mature trees and his intention of building a second construction making more use of the limbs of the tree in supporting the accommodation. It is apparent that the current building is not a full solution to his needs as he visits a neighbours house for his meals.

The 1887 visit to Mr Hayward found him having moved to his second, larger and higher, attempt to meet his aspirations of tree living.

The building is supported by a combination of three mature oak trees - there appears to be a woodland context so these are naturally column-like trunks - and eleven poles. These support a platform about 32 feet above ground level. On the platform are a three simple rooms, but these appear to basically sheds again with canvas roofs. One of the rooms is located over a gap in the platform giving a small two storey section, with the lower part containing a kitchen which is partly supported by a branch jutting out from one of the trees. The access is now described as a steep staircase rather than a ladder.

Some further use is made of of the trees themselves - a circular wooden bench surrounds one of the boles and it appears that a doorway is partly formed from the intrusion of one large branch.

So, probably not an ideal example of a "living building" but maybe an inspiration when reading of Mr Haywards enthusiasm and his belief that his city-damaged health has been repaired by his natural surroundings.

Tree Cathedrals in the UK

None of these are proper "living buildings" in my view, however given the name and the aspirations of this blog I feel they should be covered.

These first two are trees planted in the shape of a cathedral.

Milton Keynes Tree Cathedral
In a park near central Milton Keynes this "cathedral of trees" was designed and constructed by landscape architect Neil Higson in 1986. The layout of the "building" is based on Norwich Cathedral was shaped in earth before being planted with hornbeam, pines, limes, willow, horse chestnut, and oak.

Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Edmond Blythe designed and made the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral in 1930 to foster ‘Faith, hope and reconciliation’ after World War I. It occupies 9.5 acres and is inspired by Liverpool Cathedral. It consists of a large variety of species of trees and shrubs, each chosen for a particular component of the building.

And to me more interestingly (as it has more building-like qualities) The Ormiston Yew

© Copyright John Darcy and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Also described by some as a Tree Cathedral - however the way this has developed is totally naturally. The tree is an example of a "layered yew" where the lower drooping branches have rooted where they meet the ground creating a bounded space.

The Maple of Ratibor

On the internet there are a couple of images of "The maple of Ratibor" - a remarkable living building.


The New York Public Library has the same picture in two contexts, "the Maple of Ratibor" dated 1893 from "The picture magazine".
and
"Un érable à matibo, prés de Savigliano, dans le Piémont, Etates Sardes." (A maple in Matibo, meadows of Savigliano, in Piedmont, Sardinia) dated 1841

There is further info available when looking for "The Maple of Matibo"
e.g. "The wonders of vegetation" says

THE MAPLE OF MATIBO.

This plant, the type of the " Lower trees " with
which the skilled horticulturist ornaments our gardens,
is especially remarkable for its architectural form.
...
It is to be seen in its perfection at Matibo, in the vi-
cinity of Savigliano, near Coni, in Piedmont. The
skill and perseverance of the horticultural architect
has made an astonishing metamorphosis of it. In its
cultivated state it appears like a structure of two sto-
ries. Each of these has eight windows naturally form-
ed and can contain twenty people. The flooring is
managed by a skilful arrangement of the branches,

According to

The Web Magazine of Victoriana

the same picture was used to illustrate a short article in 'The Ladies' Treasury' 1860

The maple is described as being 70 or 80 years old, with two floors, each lit by eight windows and easily able to accommodate twenty people (is that 20 on each floor?), its floors were made from the branches, with their 'leaves forming a natural carpet' (unlikely, shaded or thick branches don't produce foliage). 'The thick foliage also forms the walls, and in it a number of birds have built their nests. Every care has been taken to guard against any inconvenience being offered to these joyous songsters, who contribute so much to the Arcadian attractions of the place.'

The text that appeared under The NYPL image of The maple of Ratibor (1893) is probably derived from the same source - except it sensibly gives the age as approximately 100 years. The same picture is at www.fulltable.com but dated 1894

However there the trail runs cold - I can't find Ratibor or "Matibo, in the vicinity of Savigliano" on Italy maps and no current references to a two story maple living building (should be many more if the maple is still alive at 200 years -- which would be remarkable given the relatively short lifespan of this tree)