A traditional tepee shelter is constructed out of long poles that act as a tripod base, which is then covered with an insulating material, such as an animal hide (as used by Native Americans) or other weatherproofing and insulating materials, such as a tarp, an emergency blanket, or any tent-like material that can trap warmth into the structure.

The traditional tepee--or tipi--shelter is shaped like an inverted cone, and it’s open at the top, so smoke from a fire built inside the structure can escape.

However, it’s possible to construct a tepee-style structure around the trunk of a tree, which will provide an instant central beam for quick structural stability. Here’s how to do it:

Choose a Shelter Site and Gather Materials

Look for a shelter site that’s near the materials you will need: a live tree with a sturdy, narrow trunk; several long branches with strong central poles; and branches with leaves or needles to use as insulation in addition to or in the absence of other insulating material, such as a tarp, tent fly, or emergency blanket. Parachute cord or wire may be useful for affixing insulating material to the outer portion of the shelter, but if you do not have these items, look to your natural surroundings for a substitute. For example, gather several thin, live branches that you can use to weave insulating material into the primary structure.

Choose a site that’s flat, if possible, and devoid of roots and rocks so that you can sleep more comfortably. Also look for an area that’s free from flash flood, rockfall, and other potential natural dangers.

Build the Tepee Base

Choose branches that have a sturdy central pole, and begin leaning them against the tree trunk you’ve chosen to form the tepee’s structural base. Lean the branches against the tree with the top edges of the branch poles touching the tree trunk and the bottom edges of the branch poles touching the ground to create a hollow shell that resembles an inverted cone.

Angle the poles in a 40- to 60-degree slope from top to bottom so that rain will run off of the external covering and be directed away from the heart of the shelter. Cut accessory branches off of the central poles as necessary, but some accessory branches will provide structural stability if you interlace them with adjoining branches as you lean them around the tree trunk.

Make sure that the bottoms of the poles extend out far enough from tree trunk to create a space for you and others in your party to sleep comfortably. But remember that a smaller shelter will warm up more quickly than a bigger one once you’re inside.

If you have parachute cord, wire, or cordage, lash the tips of the poles together around the tree trunk for additional stability, or weave thin, live branches between the central poles of adjacent branches to lash them together.

Cover the Tepee and Add Insulation

Cover the tepee structure with an insulating material--ideally a tarp, emergency blanket, or tent fly--and attach it securely so that it won’t blow away. If you don’t have any of these items with you, look to your natural surroundings for other branches, grasses, reeds, or foliage that you can weave among the branch poles to fill the gaps and then layer on top for insulation.

Insulate the ground that you will sleep on by putting down layers of mosses, leaves, and grasses to create a warm and comfortable bed. Create a space for the entrance, and find large vegetated branch that you can use as a door. Finally, pull a pile of insulating material towards the entrance to close the shelter and create an insulated space while you sleep.

Since the tree trunk in the center of this structure blocks the area where a traditional tepee would have a vent, it isn’t suitable to build a fire inside. This tepee-style structure, however, is likely quicker to build than a traditional tepee, and it has the benefit of a rooted tree as its solid central support.