I want to suspend the swing from a board between two large maple trees about 10' apart, without damaging tree

Question

: I would like to attach a swing between two large maples about 10 feet apart. Neither tree has branches low enough or the correct angle to work properly. I don't want to damage the trees. My grandchildren would like to have a regular swing, a tire swing and a baby swing. Is it possible to have all three with some type of a rotation device that could click in place, while holding the others out of the way? Or, could I use the same suspension system, then manually change to the desired swing?

Many thanks!

Kathie S.

Answer 1

If the trees are 10' apart, the absolute way to not damage the trees is to get a metal swingset that you just place between the trees.  You could put a 4x4 board between the trees and lag s***w it into both trees which shouldn't damage them too much.  Try going to a nursery and asking if something like this will damage your trees.

Answer 2

If I wanted to attach something to a tree without damaging it, I would get some good synthetic rope(natural fibres won't weather well) and wind enough of it tightly around the tree so that friction would hold up the rope and whatever you attach to it. I did it for my clothesline.

I would take a piece of rope, tie a loop in it, put the other end through the loop and wind it tightly 6 or 7 times around the tree, and in one or two of the middle loops, attach a large quick link, available at most hardware stores, and finish off the rope with a few half-hitches around the tree, or perhaps go through the original loop again and then tie off. Same on the other tree. Then attach chain to the quick links, or even a piece of very strong wire with eyes in the end. You can buy hardware to do that, or have the correct length made up at a place that does boat rigging, that would be most secure. Then you could attach the swings to the chain or wire with more quick links, and make a way to tie the ones not in use off to the side. Three swings might be a little hard to manage. The kids might have to settle for two, or you could make a way to attach the three types of swings to one set of ropes or chains with more quick links or with snap shackles, they would just have to use one swing at a time which is probably safer--fewer collisions possible. Just inspect it after a few uses to make sure the rope isn't slipping.