Dan the TreeNet Man
Who I Am
I'm Dan, and I build TreeNets. I was a teacher for many years and transitioned into a forest school leader 5 years ago. I wanted to create spaces that children (and adults) would be able to user to connect with nature and that is where Treenets come in.
What I Do
Each net is designed for its own space. I visit, look at the trees, work out what the space wants to be, then hand-weave and tension the net on site. Nothing arrives flat-packed. Alongside installations I run practical courses for tree surgeons, outdoor educators, landscapers and makers who want to add TreeNets to what they do.
Why I Started
The children in my forest school wanted somewhere to hang out and i saw they needed spaces to meet their sensory needs. When I discovered treenets, I knew this was how to meet their needs. I spent time learning from the masters - Treenet Willy and Sean from CanopyCrafts - I began to fill my woodland with treenets. Once I started posting online about my creations, word began to spread to people who wanted to have my treenets in their grounds and learn the same skills. Today I travel across the UK and abroad designing and weaving nets on site and teaching others to do the same!
My Approach
Specialist work, done slowly and carefully. I only build nets, so all my attention goes on the things that matter: choosing the right anchor trees, spreading load kindly across bark, getting the tension and height right for the people using it, and finishing edges so they feel good in the hand. I'd rather turn a job down than rig something I'm not confident in.
What I Stand For
Five things I won't compromise on, whichever job I'm on.
Quality
Good rope, careful rigging, tidy finishing. If a detail isn't right, it gets redone.
Creativity
Every space suggests a different net. I design from the trees outwards, never from a catalogue.
Safety
Sensible design, appropriate fixings, honest advice about surfacing, checks and maintenance.
Outdoor Learning
Nets give schools and forest schools a place for movement, risk-benefit and quiet observation.
Customer Satisfaction
Clear communication from first call to handover — and I'm still on the end of the phone after.
Let's talk about your space
Whether it's a back garden or a whole school field, I'm happy to talk it through.