The team at Tree Tents International build extraordinary structures that reconnect people to nature
Tree Tents International create a range of innovate structures that can be installed in the wilderness for camping, dining and adventures in the great outdoors. The product range for accommodation and utility includes the Tree Tent, Birdhouse, Okra Pod and Fuselage, among other designs. Based in Sussex, the company is committed to sustainability, quality craftsmanship and encouraging a love of nature. They tell us about their work here.
treetents.co.uk | Instagram: @_tree_tents
Tell us about the background of the company, what was the inspiration for founding it?
Tree Tents was born about 15 years ago when our founder, Jason Thawley, a sustainable product designer, was blending his work in LED lighting design with an increasing fascination for woodworking. At the time, he was also building his own home in the heart of a city full of Georgian and Victorian terraces, where he experimented with integrating timber architecture, sustainable insulation and modern design. This marriage of tradition and innovation, along with his childhood memories of woodlands, led to the creation of the first Tree Tent.
The project had two driving forces: creating low-impact accommodation that would allow people to connect with nature while contributing to the management of woodland ecosystems, and exploring the design of lightweight, hybrid wood and metal structures. What began as a conceptual sketch grew into a stunning 3D rendering featuring steam-bent ash ribs, an aluminium spine and a wool-insulated canvas skin. This visual caught the attention of a TV production team, leading to an unexpected challenge: could Tree Tents be filmed for a new series on small space architecture? Jason’s response was an enthusiastic ‘Of course!’ Two months of intense work later, the first Tree Tent was ready to be filmed, and Tree Tents International was born.
What kind of training have your team had in traditional woodworking and which techniques are commonly used in your work?
Our designs champion a number of traditional techniques, which is incredibly important to our heritage, with each of our structures created in our Sussex workshop.Jason would say he’s pretty much self-taught. Since the moment he managed to get his hands on a saw as a boy, he was making all sorts of things from whatever scraps of wood and other things he could lay his hands on. He has always been fascinated by how things work, which later sent him to university to study engineering. This gave him the knowledge to really experiment with materials but his love of wood always shone through in most of his inventions. Studying and researching woodworking techniques – from lathe turning to furniture jointing – enabled him to design innovative spaces and conceptual furnishings which complement all types of wood.
Will James, our Production Manager, comes from a long line of woodworkers. Growing up alongside his grandfather, a skilled furniture restorer, and his brother, a carpenter, Will was immersed in the craft from an early age. He previously ran his own custom furniture business, awarding him invaluable hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the importance of craftsmanship.
With a lifetime spent creating and learning from challenges, Will has mastered traditional joinery techniques, such as dovetail and mortise-and-tenon joints. His experience creating custom furniture has allowed him to refine these techniques and adapt them to larger-scale production. Over the years, he has developed the ability to apply these traditional skills efficiently in a production environment, ensuring both quality and consistency across all our designs. His journey from bespoke work to larger-scale manufacturing has given him a unique perspective on how to combine craftsmanship with practicality, ensuring that our products remain true to the heritage of woodworking while meeting modern production demands.
What kind of materials do you commonly use and how are they sourced?
We primarily use plywood for our outdoor structures. Our knowledge of wood informs the design, jointing and species selection. Currently, we favour Garnica Duraply plywood, a sustainable poplar-based product from fast-growing European plantations, ideal for exposed outdoor work.
We also incorporate oak, cedar and other hard and soft woods in ancillary products such as chairs, tables, benches and decking. Most of our structures include these tailored, interior designs, such as the oval- shaped bed in the Tree Tent, and the sleek, Scandinavian-style bench and table in our Okra Dining Pod. Aluminium also features a lot in our designs, melded with timber and plywood, to reinforce structural elements, while maintaining lightweight designs. This is an important feature for structures which will remain outside in all elements for years, but which are still being held aloft through suspension and stilts. We really enjoy utilising the different engineering qualities which comes from combining these two very different materials, creating structures and components that wouldn’t be possible with just one of them.
How do you come up with the different designs for your various structures?
That’s a great question! Honestly, it tends to occur organically, through the seedling of an idea, which is built upon and reiterated by the team until we have a new innovation that we love. The seedling tends to come from Jason. He’ll see a space – whether it’s treetops, a hillside or another wild space – and imagine a design that fits. Engineering and manufacturing considerations heavily influence the scale and proportions, while human factors and spatial tricks ensure comfort and functionality. For instance, the Tree Tent’s spherical design, while looking a lot more interesting than a ‘box’ design, is perfectly designed to suit treetop suspension, optimise adaptive rigging options and enhance spatial perception.
How are they installed?
Our structures are modular and designed for easy assembly. They can be built on-site in locations with tricky access or preassembled in our workshop and transported. A Tree Tent takes about two days to install, with all parts typically walked into the woodland to minimise impact. Larger structures like the Fuselage or Birdhouse require about five days to assemble with a team of three. Designing for efficient assembly and minimal site disturbance has always been a priority.
Are they designed to be permanent or temporary, or does this vary?
The majority of our structures are classed as temporary, in that they can be disassembled relatively quickly and easily. However, we design for longevity. Our longest serving Tree Tent has been up in the trees at The Secret Campsite in Lewes for a decade now, and is still going strong. While some are hosted on private land, they are usually hired out for people to stay in, and so they are in constant use throughout the year. A modular approach to the design allows for parts to be repaired or changed over easily, without replacing the structure, so each of them lasts the distance.
Which is the most popular structure?
The Tree Tent is our bestseller. This spherical structure, informed by aeronautical engineering, appears to float amongst the trees. However, it is actually suspended from the tree trunks, and so adapts and moves with them, offering a tranquil and unique way to spend the night. Customers can choose the layout, but they are usually fitted with one or two beds, a desk and a stove, alongside underfoot storage. They also feature windows and a skylight, so campers can enjoy stargazing from bed. It’s not only a joy to stay in, but also embodies our mission – to reconnect people with nature.
What has been the most challenging/ ambitious project so far?
We tend to be the business that people come to when they have troublesome terrain and hard-to-reach locations. We recently installed some of our Birdhouse structures in an old arboretum on the south Devon coast. Navigating dense vegetation and steep terrain while overlooking the sea made for a beautiful site, but a somewhat nerve- wracking install. However, utilising some clever engineering and a great team of people resulted in a great install, and something we reminisce on with laughter now.
Could you tell us about some of the varied locations your products have been placed in?
We’ve been fortunate enough to install our structures in some incredible places across the UK, and across the world. You can find them in Scotland, Wales and England, along with Norway, Sweden and California. One of our most unforgettable locations is the site in Sweden, where our Tree Tent is surrounded by gorgeous forests, lakes and the howl of wolves in the background as the sun starts setting.
What are the most important factors to consider when planning a tree house build?
We believe that the key is to respect the site, its trees and their inhabitants. Begin by understanding what will work in and for the location, rather than imposing your vision. Tree roots are to be cared for, so resist heavy machinery or foundations. Research and consider what goes on, and what wildlife lives around you at the site. Spend time there, to get a feel for where the sun rises and sets, how the weather interacts with the space and so on, to help you find a spot that best provides shelter, while also letting in the light. Design around these factors to create a structure that enhances the environment.
What measures do you take to ensure the health of the trees in the area around a structure?
Minimising site disruption is our top priority. We assess tree health and strength, and use suspension ropes and wires to distribute the load of our structures evenly. Strategic pruning helps balance any added weight, and we integrate woodland management plans to promote thriving ecosystems. Trees are incredibly resilient, but it’s essential to respect their natural processes.
How do you ensure your business is as sustainable as possible?
Sustainability has been central to our ethos from the start, and informs much of why we do what we do. We tend to see sustainable practices going hand-in-hand with efficiency and good engineering practice; for example, nesting parts, and creating additional products from scrap materials. We design with sustainable, hardwearing materials, low-energy manufacturing practices and build each of our products to order. We also consider logistics, longevity and repairability across everything we do, to ensure we are proudly committed to these principles.
What do you think are the benefits to people of spending time closer to nature in your tree tents?
From quantified scientific evidence, to lived anecdotal experience, we know that nature is amazing for both our mental and physical health. While we are working to bring nature back to parts of the UK, such as rewilding golf courses in Scotland, we are believers in ‘rewilding’ humans too. We spend much of our time in fast-paced, polluted, digital environments, which our bodies and minds simply haven’t evolved for yet.
The restorative effects of nature include its ability to lower cortisol levels, which significantly reduces stress, from as little as 20 minutes in woodlands. Exposure to natural environments also enhances immune system performance through phytoncides and fewer urban pollutants. Spending time in nature has also been evidenced to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate and improve heart health, all essential to living longer.
While our structures are often considered ‘glamping’, we always champion natural connections first. They allow for campers, adventurers and wildlife lovers to enjoy an elevated camping experience, one which is comfortable but doesn’t shut you off from the wilderness around you. We are proud to create spaces where people can soak in nature, live slowly, speak face-to-face, cook together over a fire, watch and listen to wildlife, and sleep in tandem with the forest.
What are your future plans for the business?
The future of Tree Tents is centred around expanding our reach globally, creating unique and sustainable camping experiences that bring people closer to nature. Our core values remain rooted in the joy of camping, and we plan to further enhance our product range with innovative, one-of-a-kind designs. Having recently opened our own campsite in East Sussex, we’re committed to refining and showcasing how to create the ultimate camping experience.
With the recent launch of our company in California, we’re also expanding our presence across the United States, sourcing materials sustainably, and scaling and sourcing sustainable to meet demand from North America. As we continue to grow, we continually aspire to be a dynamic and inspiring workplace that fosters creativity, while leading the way in the camping industry by staying true to our passion and expertise.
We’re driven by our love for what we do and are excited to continue to evolve and build our structures in many of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. All while maintaining our commitment to sustainability, innovation and fun.
