Up in a Tree
(1977) It started as a place to get away from it all. Next thing he knew, Jay Higdon found himself living in a tree.
"It began as a project to keep myself busy," claimed Higdon. "It didn't cost me anything to build the basic structure. The joists were 4-by-4's from packing crates, the nails were pulled out of old lumber, I split the shakes myself for the siding, and I made the roof out of rubber mud flaps from trucks. When I realized I was going to live up here, then I spent some money for plywood, insulation, fiber glass, and furnishings.
"I like my comforts and plenty of heat," said the 30-year-old builder, inventor, metal sculptor and handyman. His compact treehouse has all the luxuries for which a bachelor could ask. There's a telephone, color TV, toilet, shower, hot and cold running water, electricity and a view. There's also a wood stove for heat and a microwave oven for cooking, and a refrigerator to supply his ice cream habit. A ladder is the only way into the treehouse. When he wants to be left alone he can draw up his ladder and lock the trap door.
Higdon has lived in his arboreal retreat almost two years, and keeps a guest book for visitors to sign. "My most famous visitor was Bill Walton. I've got over 300 names so far, and people keep stopping in to see my house.
"I have no doubts that my house is strong and durable," he said. "It got pretty windy last winter, and it held up fine. It doesn't rock so much now since I topped 25 feet off the tree. There were times before that when the house would start swaying back and forth, and my guests would get up and leave."
