Seeing Through the Branches -
In recent years, spherical treehouses—sometimes called hanging tree globes or suspended tree orbs—have been cropping up across the United States, especially in places like California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona, where balmy climates make them a year-round draw. From California’s lush coastlines to Texas Hill Country’s oaks, Florida’s subtropical palms, and Arizona’s desert pines, these tree sphere pods are appearing in backyards and rental listings, piquing the interest of the 40 million U.S. campers who hit the outdoors annually. But the growing buzz around hanging tree tents can confuse buyers looking to install these whimsical options on their campsite properties—scrolling Airbnb or online marketplaces, it’s easy to mix up quality builds with budget knock-offs. Our flagship model, the Tree Tent is the original suspended glamping tree pod that cuts through the clutter—let’s explore what sets it apart in the crowded canopy of internet searches.
The Appeal of Spherical Treehouses
What’s the pull? Spherical treehouses—often dubbed hanging tree globes—offer a suspended escape, floating above muddy ground and critters with 360-degree views and an eco-friendly twist, skipping foundations to cradle trees. Whether you call them hanging tree tents or tree sphere pods, they’re a glamping hit—Airbnb logs 70-80% occupancy for unique stays—but not every orb plays at the same level. High-end suspended tree orbs like Free Spirit Spheres dazzle, budget models like Cocoon and AliExpress options fill a low-grade niche, and the Tree Tent sits in the perfect perch, bridging the gap with top-tier quality and unmatched engineering.
The High-End Benchmark: Free Spirit Spheres
For a premium contrast, Free Spirit Spheres—9-10-foot suspended tree orbs in British Columbia—set a lofty standard. They're cool for sure, and the largest we know of when it comes to suspended globe treehouse-esque designs. Handmade with cedar or fiberglass, and estimated to weigh 250-400 lbs (not the thousands as some guess), these hanging tree globes are rope-suspended, insulated, and somewhat eco-friendly. At $150,000-$200,000 to build (based on estimates in online forums), they’re a top-tier league—great inspiration, but less practical for most U.S. hosts and budgets. A return on investment will take a substantial amount of time, but in the end, they'd be a great addition to a site looking for a unique tree orb. They have a little more of a hippy-dippy vibe, so that may be a turnoff to some that are looking for something with a cleaner, modern feel.
The Tree Tent: A Durable, Eco-Minded Class of Its Own
The Tree Tent spherical treehouse cabin isn’t just another hanging tree tent—it’s a glamping pod that's more akin to a micro cabin than a tent. Handcrafted in the UK (but now available in North America), this 10-foot spherical treehouse blends recycled aluminum, sustainable plywood, and marine-grade canvas into a lightweight (under 1,000 lbs) design. Suspended between three trees with engineered straps and ultra-strong rigging cables, it’s foundation-free and insulated—multi-foil, optional wool interior walls, and a "tiny" wood stove keep it cozy year-round, outclassing Cocoon or Avocado’s bare-bones setups.
At $32,000+, it demands a higher price than knock-offs, especially for the expert craftsmanship and quality materials, but a steal next to Free Spirit’s $150k+. Camps in Europe and America haven proven its chops: $200-$400/nightly with 75%+ occupancy tops budget options $75-$150 per night averages. Oh, and did we mention the Tree Tent comes fully furnished with optional configurations?
The Budget Bunch: Different Levels, Way Different Specs
Some spherical treehouses aim for low cost over excellence. The Cocoon Tree Tent (cocoontree.com), a 3-meter hanging tree globe often China-sourced, starts at $5,000-$10,000—light (132 lbs) and pretty quick to throw up (2-4 hours).
Its PVC-coated polyester suits temperate nights in Texas or Florida, though it lacks insulation, which makes it a balmy experience in hot water, and unbearable on frigid nights or climates.
The Avocado Tent (Yanko Design), a tree sphere pod concept ($8,000-$12,000), brings flair with aluminum ribs and fabric but skips weatherproofing—some articles refer to it as somewhat stylish, but not sturdy. AliExpress knock-offs (beware of accuracy in listings) priced $3,000-$10,000, mimic hanging tree tents, (and even steal some of our images to spoof their listings!!!). They're PVC and thin aluminum, no insulation—falling short of the real deal. Really, really short.
Comparison Table: Tree Tent vs. Spherical Contenders
| Feature | Tree Tent | Cocoon Tree Tent | Avocado Tent | AliExpress Knock-Offs | Free Spirit Spheres |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $32,000+ | $5,000-$10,000 | $8,000-$12,000 (est.) | $3,000-$10,000 | $150,000-$200,000 (est.) |
| Weight | Under 1,000 lbs | ~132 lbs (empty) | ~200-300 lbs (est.) | ~200-500 lbs (est.) | 250-400 lbs |
| Materials | Recycled aluminum, sustainable plywood, marine canvas | Aluminum, PVC-polyester | Aluminum, thin fabric | PVC, thin aluminum | Cedar, fiberglass, spruce |
| Insulation | Yes (multi-foil, wool option) | None | None | None | Yes (built-in) |
| Durability | 10+ years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years (est.) | 2-4 years (est.) | 15+ years |
| Setup Time | 1 day (2-3 people) | 2-4 hours | 2-3 hours (est.) | 2-4 hours (est.) | Build: ~6 mo, Install: 1-7 days |
| Eco-Friendliness | High (recycled, low-impact) | Moderate (PVC waste) | Low (mass-produced) | Low (mass-produced) | High (handmade, light) |
| Rental Potential | $250-$600/month (75%+) | $150-$300/month (50-60%) | $150-$250/month (50%) | $150-$300/month (50-60%) | $600-$900/month (70-80%) |
| Safety | Engineered straps, tree-safe | Basic straps, tree strain | Weak straps, risky | Flimsy straps, variable | Rope rigging, secure |
Why League Matters
Budget options—like Cocoon, Avocado, and AliExpress tree sphere pods—fit a role for some, but don’t match the Tree Tent’s league, or anywhere close. Cocoon’s PVC suits temperate temps, Avocado’s flair can get the job done, and AliExpress hanging tree globes (swiping Tree Tent pics) tempt with price—but they lack insulation, durability, and eco-edge when considering the ever-growing eco-tourism market. Free Spirit Spheres soar in a luxe class, but their $150k+ cost is steep for most. The Tree Tent’s craftsmanship—recycled materials, tree-safe straps, all-season comfort—delivers overall value that's hard to beat.
Where to Find Your Fit
Spherical treehouses thrive in warm states—Northern California’s Breathing Trees, Texas Hill Country, Florida’s tropics, Arizona’s deserts—where climates boost glamping year-round. AliExpress knock-offs flood online at $3k-$10k, Cocoon’s at cocoontree.com, and Free Spirit’s at freespiritspheres.com. The Tree Tent’s direct from Tree Tents USA—no shady marketplaces needed. Hosts in these sunny spots bank on its ROI, per Hipcamp nods.
Finding the Right Fit
Spherical treehouses—or hanging tree tents—bring treetop allure, but they’re not all peers. Budget suspended tree orbs—Cocoon, Avocado, AliExpress—fill a niche, Free Spirit Spheres aim high, and the Tree Tent will land in the sweet spot for most: sustainable, insulated, glampground-ready. Don’t get tangled in the branches of the mix—check out our line of eco-structures and let us know if you have questions if you're ready to lift your glamping gig in any climate.
