My old climbing tree was pathetic.....falling apart after 5 years of use. It was also limited in that it could be tipped over by animals that were above 6-7 lbs. I decided to make something bigger & stronger. I wandered around Home Depot for a few hours trying to find materials that would fit my needs. I ended up with a plastic fence post, ten 3/4" dowel rods, and a Christmas tree stand. From these humble beginnings, a boa constrictor jungle gym was born. The "tree" is 5' tall and the dowel rods are 36" total width so they extend about 16" from each side. The stand is steel and creates a great base. Including the drill bit that I had to purchase, the total cost was right at $100. It hasn't been tested by the animals yet but it looks promising.
