FROM SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS:

ANIMAL PLANET PLANTS A SECOND SEASON OF "TREEHOUSE MASTERS" ON JANUARY 10

-- Santa Delivers a Tree-mendous Holiday Episode on December 23 --

Animal Planet's hit series TREEHOUSE MASTERS returns for its second season Friday, January 10, at 10 PM (ET/PT) as tree whisperer and visionary Pete Nelson leads his team of craftsmen to build even bigger and better homes in the treetops. Animal Planet airs seven brand-new episodes and an "Ultimate Treehouses II" special this winter and an additional 13 premieres this summer.

In the season premiere, Pete builds one of his largest treehouses to date for a Pennsylvania family who are huge fans of the Indiana Jones movies. The treehouse is the ultimate homage to the spirit of the films and is an adventurous design complete with trap doors, rope bridges, living walls and secret entrances.

And for those who can't wait for the season to begin, viewers get a gift this holiday season with "Santa's Workshop," a pre-season special that premieres on Animal Planet Monday, December 23, at 9 PM (ET/PT). Just one day of Christmas cheer isn't enough for a real-life Santa and Mrs. Claus, who celebrate the season 365 days a year in Southern California. Old St. Nick and the missus call on Pete and his crew to spruce up their yard with some holiday magic. Pete creates a treehouse workshop complete with Santa's red chair, a naughty-or-nice drawbridge, a secret elf trap door, a candy cane and holly access bridge and some miracle Christmas snow... in the California desert!

The premiere season of TREEHOUSE MASTERS ranks as Animal Planet's second-highest performing series in 2013 to date, roping in 1.3M viewers. This season, this must-see series returns with episodes featuring specialty treehouses for an award-winning country music duo, a world-class skier and the owners of a major recording studio who have housed a medley of musicians with soul, classic rock, Grunge and Motown roots. In addition, Pete and crew head west to build one of their highest treehouses to date for a free-spirited outdoorswoman who wants to move out of her house and live in the trees full time. They also build a butterfly-themed treehouse for a family, who after being struck by tragedy, formed a nonprofit foundation that's represented by the butterfly - a symbol of transformation.

Not just a small-screen star, Pete is an accomplished author who penned his third book Be in a Treehouse (Abrams), which will be available on March 25, 2014, wherever books are sold. Complete with photos of select projects from last season's TREEHOUSE MASTERS, the book is a comprehensive source of inspiration and practical information about treehouse design and construction.