Tree house specialist Jim Gravely left the jungles of Nicaragua -- where he was building an obstacle course 50 feet above ground -- for a serene Bermuda backyard. His mission: To build a tree house for wealthy futures trader Monroe Trout.

At Mr. Trout's Richmond Road residence he and two other climbing buddies scaled a 75 foot silk cotton tree last year, and constructed in its branches a house fit to beat every child's dream.

The tree house is made of pressure treated pine and redwood, held together with stainless steel bolts and cables for the bridge between its two sections.

But some neighbours complained. Mr. Trout had not got the necessary planning permission for his lofty play dwelling. This month he submitted an application for retroactive planning permission. As part of the application he also submitted an arboricultural report on the state of the 120-year-old silk cotton tree, and a letter stating the qualifications of the experts he brought in to get the job done.

"This tree is a magnificent specimen, one of the best in Bermuda,'' tree expert Peter D. Linn N.C.H. (Arb) R.F.S.C. enthused after he inspected it in June for the arboricultural report. "Great care has obviously been taken with this tree and certainly its good health does not appear to have been affected by the addition of a treehouse in its canopy.'' The woodsmen who built the tree house had outstanding qualifications for the job.

Mr. Gravely described himself as a specialist in the "design and construction of temporary recreational facilities generally located above the ground.'' He continued: "I have built a rain forest observation complex including 90 foot bridges spanning jungle rivers and large platforms 80 foot to 90 foot above the forest floor. I have built an adventure challenge complex in the 120 foot masts of a sailing vessel in New York City. I have just returned from Nicaragua where I built an obstacle course on 50 foot poles that were raised by hand and ox power.'' Two colleagues helped Mr. Gravely erect the tree house. For Mr. Trout's job on the island the group referred to themselves as "The Bermuda Team'' in the planning application. Robbie Oates is described as a "tree climber'' and a rope specialist. Roger Stephens is described as a rock climber and wood worker who also designs and sews outdoor gear.

Mr. Trout is one of Bermuda's most secretive residents. A spokesman has said that it's his policy never to speak to the Press. Mr. Trout is a commodity futures trader who is the brains behind Trout Trading Management. The company runs the Hamilton Fund Ltd. which has $700 million under management and has achieved average annual returns of 25 percent.

If the Development Applications Board denies Mr. Trout's retroactive application for planning permission he might eventually have to tear down his tree house.

BACKYARD TREASURE -- Monroe Trout's tree house is at the root of a neighbourhood controversy.

PLANNING PLN HOUSING HSG