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You Can Strap This Spiral Staircase Onto Any Tree Without Tools

Designers Thor te Kulve and Robert McIntyre have devised a clever system that allows anyone to build a spiral staircase up the trunk of a tree without actually hurting it and without using tools.

Their innovative staircase is made of birch steps that hold on to the tree trunk with straps and grip its side with thick neoprene pads. Attaching a series of these steps, along with an accompanying handrail, creates a spiral staircase.

“We have worked with the arboriculturalists at Hampstead Heath to ensure we are not damaging the tree,” McIntyre told Dezeen. Trees can still be harmed by girdling after long after sustained friction, so we assume these steps are a temporary setup. According to the designers, a 7m staircase would take 2 people 3 hours to build but only 30min. to take apart.

More info: canopystair.com (h/t: treehugger, dezeen)

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There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

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What do you think ?

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AdamUhlir 9 years ago

It is truly awesome, but it can be seen that nobody from them practice slackline, because otherwise they would put "tree protection" between the stripes and rind...

7points

GaraGara 9 years ago

of course, because the 4 cm rubber protection where the stairs touching the trees, is not enough.

2points

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Silimaure 9 years ago

I think the straps are still going to damage the tree if just left there. Trees are still growing and need room to do that. If you use them and then take them down, that is great.

2points

guthrie6480 9 years ago

You are so right, they need to protect the tree or this is wrong,it can hurt the tree and our trees are precious to our lives!

1point

AnttiPietikäinen 9 years ago

Doesnt it strangle the tree?? Basically all the water traffic is just under the bark

6points

Luspea 9 years ago

Omg what a time to be alive

6points

maggiemoonbeam 9 years ago

Well said!

0points

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POST

AdamUhlir 9 years ago

It is truly awesome, but it can be seen that nobody from them practice slackline, because otherwise they would put "tree protection" between the stripes and rind...

7points

GaraGara 9 years ago

of course, because the 4 cm rubber protection where the stairs touching the trees, is not enough.

2points

Load More Replies...

Silimaure 9 years ago

I think the straps are still going to damage the tree if just left there. Trees are still growing and need room to do that. If you use them and then take them down, that is great.

2points