Different OLD house with two Tube B b Trees.

Post by **Tom Hull** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:16 pm

This is one of those things that just doesn't easily fit in any of the broad categories of types that we have used to organize this hobby. And to be truthful it isn't my favorite type though they don't often appear and I think they could be related to the Multi houses at least there are some similarities of treatment. All of the windows were totally rotted out and needed replacement though the rest of the house was in remarkably good condition. The house was completely loose on the bottom so it was a simple matter of popping it off the base and replacing the windows. Thank goodness Brian designed and made the Windoor as that is what was in this house. I am REAL low on this windoor cel with only about 3 left. So will have to figure out how to order them from Pete at some point. The first is a shot of it after the windows have been replaced. I thought it was interesting that this house used an arch window that one would have thought to be to small but that is what was in there so that's the way I go with it. The second shows it lit up and that is where it literally shines (pun intended!) Prettier than many even though it appears to have few architectural details a look at the underside soon dispels that notion. It has a fairly complex footprint on the base. Just a note the base is LONG at 10" and thin about 3/4". The corrugated roof is covered in white coconut with a red strip on the border of the roof edges which is usual for this type house, and the trees are of SPECIAL interest as they are among the earliest bottle brush trees we find on these houses and these two are HUGE as such things go. These tubular types use some sort of natural material and age has not been very kind to them as they have a tendency to fall apart. That would make this house very early. Probably about 1930 or 31 and certainly before 1934.

Post by **Tom Hull** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:19 pm

This is a close up of the material on the base. It appears to be some sort of VERY fine dark green or black stuff and I have encountered it only rarely. If anyone can take a stab at identifying it please let me know.

UPDATE I just found a photo of "the mystery base" and think I now know what was there. It is almost like the base on this house, notice the similarity of the attached walkway/wall around the right side of the house and the footprint it makes. Something like that was here but have NO idea what was in the front yard. Notice the two tree holes in about the same place. Mystery solved!

Post by **paulrace** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 9:19 am

Tom, I know what you mean about those trees, almost like a sort of reed or something, very fragile.

Post by **Colleen** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:50 pm

Hi Tom, greetings. I could not resist reading some of the posts while I was on here looking for help with my old house. I've had a few of these trees, almost like a thin bamboo. I found a way to stabilize them by "very carefully" putting small dabs of glue on the ones that wiggle, right in by the stem, using a darning needle. The trick is to get the glue right into the inside without it wiping off on the branches...tricky and time consuming but worked a charm. Afterwards you could touch them all you wanted and they wouldn't break off. I also did repairs on bald spots using glue and putting each one in place. I salvaged from the bottom if I had to.