Is it hard to make your own cat tree?

The difficulty depends on the design and your practical skills. Attaching a scratching surface to a simple suitable support is a different task from building a tall structure with projecting platforms and enclosed beds. The harder part is often assessing stability and long-term wear, not making the item look attractive. You need to understand secure joints, appropriate materials and how the cat will jump, turn and land. Instructions found online may omit those considerations or assume tools and experience you do not have.

Be realistic about your ability to recognise a weak connection before an animal uses it. Start with a project whose risks you can competently manage, and seek professional input where needed. Do not use your cat as the test of whether a new structure is strong enough; uncertainty should be resolved before access is allowed. If you cannot explain how a projecting platform is supported or how the unit resists tipping, treat that as a design question to resolve before construction.