Correct Tire Swing Anchoring

[PinkFloydEffect]

Is there a correct way of anchoring a tire swing to a limb without hurting the tree? Tire swings rock

 

[Ed Roland]

No. But through-hardware is best.

Thats a beautiful location for a swing.

 

[PinkFloydEffect]

No. But through-hardware is best.

Thats a beautiful location for a swing.

Well I want one on my thinking tree, my old growth maple but I sure as hell am not running any bolts through my tree unless it's for a cable support. I think it's just something I need to get up there annually and move a few inches. Maybe use a cambium saver?

 

[Ed Roland]

Nah. As this thread progresses it will likely become more clear but destroying the cambium on the top side of the branch is way more destructive than running through-hardware. Hard to see at first but reflect on it.

Those mountains are idyllic.

 

[PinkFloydEffect]

Nah. As this thread progresses it will likely become more clear but destroying the cambium on the top side of the branch is way more destructive than running through-hardware. Hard to see at first but reflect on it.

Those mountains are idyllic.

I guess your right, they are used for temporary climbing and rigging not a perminate fixture. A good old rope and moving it annually might be it.

And I did not take that photo but I would love to go there

 

[Ed Roland]

They are permanent. Rather the rope effect the hardware "eye" than continuosly destroy cambium every single swing. Small tolerance.

Bet thats some good fishin, too.

 

[treemandan]

I made a search to find the post I made about it but didn't find it so...

those are straps designed to be used to cable trees and used with the cable rope

Basically I used that to fortify the low limb which the swing would be attached to

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Might depend on variables.

How heavy are the people swinging?

How high is the limb? How thick is the limb?

If I used an eye-bolt all the way through, I'd sure want one that didn't tweak and stress the metal where the eye meets the limb. Maybe at least 5/8" double.

 

[treemandan]

The I just hung the swings with climbing line which was tied with a bowline around the strap on the limb so it wouldn't hurt the limb.

You can make all sorts of swings

 

[treemandan]

I personally think that is as correct as one can get. I made a few posts on the topic cause I see so many haphazzard ways. I can't remember what I named the posts but rest assured they are worth looking for.

I really do think that supporting the limb the swing is attached to is important also. I have never actually heard of an acccident with a swing but with the crap I have seen I am sure surprised.

 

[Ed Roland]

DAN, My light 4.5 year old girl would love that set up, in the right candidate. But you have to admit the friction/pressure is not exactly doing that limb any favors.
Besides, i believe we are talking about hanging a swing in an old maple, right, PFE? Through-Hardware, imo.

 

[PinkFloydEffect]

That's wikid cool! I never ever thought about supporting the limb the swing is attached to thanks. Love the rigging photos, the only person swinging on it 90% of the time is me 115lbs. Look at the little kid go damn! He's guna grow up to be a tree man like his dad I bet. The board looks nasty but I like the classic tire I'll take pictures tomorrow of where I want the swing to be.

Yes woodW 1 if not both of my old growth red maples. And I don't "swing" I just kinda chill haha

Off topic and all but... can tree work be deducted on your taxes? Is it considered improving your property?

 

[Ed Roland]

I don't "swing" I just kinda chill haha

I like the sound of that. Those moments are important.

 

[PinkFloydEffect]

I like the sound of that. Those moments are important.

It's the whole point of this tree, I used to climb into the crotch and sit in it but then I realized that all that up and down causes bark damage on old growths so I started sitting on the root flares because they are so massive now I'm board I want a tire swing to sit in. Tree means too much to me I won't allow any reckless swinging :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Ed Roland]

causes bark damage on old growths :hmm3grin2orange:

Thats it. enjoy that swing.

 

[treemandan]

DAN, My light 4.5 year old girl would love that set up, in the right candidate. But you have to admit the friction/pressure is not exactly doing that limb any favors.
Besides, i believe we are talking about hanging a swing in an old maple, right, PFE? Through-Hardware, imo.

Actually there is little friction and the pressure is causes the limb to grow stronger... in theory.

 

[treemandan]

I've tied rope swings using a bowline large enough that a girth hitch can be tied around the limb with the bowline hanging about a foot below the limb. This set up can be loosened ever year or so and moved a few inches. The rope does not move around on the limb when swinging and I've not seen any limb damage. If you can't visualize what I'm suggesting I'll send in a photo over the weekend.

Lets see !

 

[treemandan]

The bowline is hanging about a foot below the limb....and the girth hitch is around the limb. The girth spreads the load over more limb and rope surface and stops rope movement. I suggest this set up be loosened up and moved a few inches every year or so.

pretty much how my swing is set but its only on a single line. More of a RB than a girth.

 

[PinkFloydEffect]

The bowline is hanging about a foot below the limb....and the girth hitch is around the limb. The girth spreads the load over more limb and rope surface and stops rope movement. I suggest this set up be loosened up and moved a few inches every year or so.

Awesome! I figured I could move it out one year then back in the next year then back to its middle position the 3rd year and repeat.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Back when my kids were little and before I was in the tree care biz, I just screwed in a 1/2" eye screw from the hardware store. That was about 18 years ago. The limb's still there, the rope has since rotted away and the kids have graduated from university.