Nothing Penetrates the Tree (No damage to the tree)

Watch this video that shows that after the brace is removed, there's no damage on the tree. 

Why I made the Tree Table

I am a computer programmer, and for decades I had to be indoors in order to work. There was always something missing to make working outdoors a reality. It was either battery power, or the internet, or the sun, or the lack of tables that made it impossible.  But this summer I found all the missing pieces, and finally began working outdoors.

I began by carrying a regular sized table with me, with tall legs (Roll-a-Table).  However, it occurred to me that a regular tree's trunk,  can be thought of as a table leg. By not requiring carrying the legs of the table, the table can be lighter. Second, the table can be mounted on a tree's trunk at any height, allowing to work standing, a variant that I prefer. 

I started looking for such a product, but couldn't find one. Instead, I found this patent which expired in 2001. So, I decided to make a prototype for myself based on that patent. When I started using it, people stopped, stared, and wondered. They said the Tree Table is a good idea, and that they would buy it. And so, I decided to manufacture it.

You can learn more about me at my borisreitman.com website, and I'm on Twitter, TikTok and Medium at @borisreitman .   Also, you can view my LinkedIn page.

What I Need & What You Get

If you support the campaign at $49, then you will get a copy of the Tree Table.

As perks, patrons will get a chance to see the plans and to make suggestions.

How I will use the funds:

• The funds will go to produce the parts.
• To pay for my own time managing the process of production.
• To pay for any necessary consultation with a mechanical engineer about which off-the-shelf parts to use to manufacture at volume and low cost. 

I expect that it will take 3 months of work to create production plans and to identify the plants that will produce them. I allocate up to $30,000 for this stage.   This will include fees I must pay to contractors to help me do this. 

The remaining $70,000 will be spent to produce 2000 Tree Tables that I would ship to the funders, as the perks.  This means that production cost per table is at most $35. I will choose the kind of materials and production process that enable to produce at such cost.  (Note that funders pay extra $10 per table to cover shipping costs.)

The Keyboard Shelf

The keyboard shelf allows you to have a fully ergonomic setup for working many hours.  This removes the need to carry your on laptop raiser.  You can get the shelf as an add-on perk.
 

Carrying and Portability

The table disassembles and fits into a long bag that is convenient to carry.  Here's a photo of me carrying the prototype.

The aluminium brace and the frame disassembles completely, and packs tightly.  Because of the L-angle, one fits inside the other. Note that this is the prototype, the final product will pack even better. 

Dimensions & Weight

The Tree Table 29.5" wide (75cm), and slightly above 14" deep (36cm).   When packed, the stacked frame is 78cm long. 

The prototype weighs 6 lb. (3kg) and is made of light wood and aluminum. With the keyboard shelf, the prototype weighs an additional 2 lb. (1kg). 

If you don't have an external keyboard with you, you can leave the components for the keyboard shelf at home or in your car, so that it's lighter to carry the table around.

The final product will be lighter, since instead of wood planks, I plan to use light aluminum accordion tables, similar to existing camping tables.

Videos of the prototype in use

Video of mounting the Tree Table:

Disassembling the tabletop.  (Notice that the table wiggles side-to-side because I have released the side locks at the beginning of the video.)
 

Tips how to use the Tree Table

Here are some tips of how to get the most out of the Tree Table. Watch the video to see how accessories can be used to turn the table into a full ergonomic workstation. In the summer heat working in a tree shade works well. In the Spring and Fall, if it's too cold to work sitting, use a standing position to increase blood circulation. If your fingers get cold, buy regular cotton gloves, and cut off the fingertips.  Drink hot tea and wear a ski-hat to prevent heat from escaping.

Tree Table Workstation: Bring your own accessories

As you see in the video, I turn the Tree Table into a full ergonomic workstation. Here are some tips from my own experience to make the Tree Table your comfortable office for a full day of work.

Get the Keyboard Shelf to have a fully ergonomic table, without the need to carry your own laptop raiser.

For portable power that would last you a day (with MacBook Pro + LTE), you can use Rockpals 250 Wh lithium battery AC generator. It weighs 5.5 lb and I carry it inside my laptop backpack. (My backpack is the Incase ICON Slim.)  If you have a Windows or Linux laptop, rather than a MacBook, you probably don't need extra power for the laptop, but you will need a battery to recharge your mobile phone.

What about the Internet connection? Save watching YouTube videos for home, and your LTE data plan will last you a month. Also, check with your provider for something called a "Tablet Plan."  It's a second SIM card that supports only data, that one would put into a tablet. Instead of a tablet, put it into an older smartphone, and share the hotspot or tether to your laptop. Alternatively, put the data SIM card into a portable travel router which would give you a WiFi connection.

If you stay within city limits (by using city parks) you will have a strong LTE signal. If you go camping, far from cell towers, you will need to use a cellular signal booster.
 

The Impact

The Tree Table is an alternative to working in a coffee shop. With Covid-19 lockdowns, many people are trapped home. They also have little time to interact physically with coworkers.  When working in a park, each can be working at a tree far apart. You can also tell your friends to stop by to say hello.

You can also use the Tree Table if you have kids who want to play at a playground, while you want to get some work done. 

There are already tables in some parks, but they are rarely in a shade. With a Tree Table you get automatic shade, and cool in the summer. Thus, the Tree Table can enable more people to get outside, and enjoy the weather.