I have been shopping for a cat tree for quite some time.  Most of the pet stores offer sturdier pieces of furniture but not with all the features and height of this piece and certainly not at this price.  It's not the sturdiest but as sturdy as it needs to be.  My cat, a pudgy medium size cat of 16.5 pounds took to it faster than I had hoped.  He uses it to play and his old one to relax.  I am looking to replace the old one soon too and I will not hesitate to buy from here.