Tree Swing, Rope Swing & Tire Swing Installation

First and foremost, it’s a safe one. Safety is the ultimate consideration and authority on our swings. Everything after that is just an opinion. General consensus concludes though, the most exhilarating ride comes from a long swing arc that is unimpeded by lower hanging branches. A tree swing is an ideal and timeless addition to any property and can be enjoyed whether you’re 3 or 103.

Single rope swings are the most common installation we perform. The types of bases are that can be attached to a single rope swing are numerous.  Traditional double rope swings with a wood, plastic, or composite seat are available as well. We can also install platforms similar in size to a full or queen size bed that utilize 4 ropes. (Some may require only two) These are the ultimate luxury for lounging in the shade on a summer day. There is also a “Y” swing that is installed between two trees of a similar height and directs the arc of the swing towards the center of the two specimens.  There are a variety of bases that can be attached to your rope swing depending on your preference. Tire swings, disc seats, plank seats, platforms, webbed platforms, egg style nest swings, hanging chairs, toddler swings, and hammocks are just a few.  A smorgasbord of options can be found online.

• A wide range of hand crafted wooden seats and tire swings:
  http://www.treeswingsandcraftythings.com/Hardwood-Seat-Swings.html
• A very popular swing is the Web Riderz nest swing. This can be installed using either one or two ropes.
  https://www.amazon.com/Web-Riderz-Childrens-Swing-Black/dp/B00K2SGDPG
• So many options are available. Take a look at the sitelink below to see if something rocks your boat.
  http://www.hearthsong.com/tree-swings/tree-swings.htm

Having a hard time choosing just one? No worries. We can install a coupling on the end of your rope that will provide a quick and easy way to interchange your preferred swing base.  Your kids may prefer to curl up on a platform swing with a book on a breezy summer day. You, on the other hand, may wish to unleash your inner child and prefer to clip on the disc seat or tire swing for an experience that is sure to keep you guessing whether your stomach is in your neck or three and half feet to your rear.

Each style of swing has its requirements, drawbacks, and options. Those correlate directly with the species, height, branch structure, and location of the tree.  A single rope swing can be attached to a lateral branch via anchor bolt or by tying a standard bowline with a Yosemite back up. The latter version would have a piece of thick rubber hose encasing the rope and the bowline itself would leave ample room for the branch to grow. Another option is to attach the rope to the main leader stem of the tree and redirect it out to a lateral limb. This allows the weight of the swing and its occupants to be distributed to a more robust section of the tree while keeping the distance between the swing and trunk maximized. A double rope swing can be attached by anchor bolts or a set of bowline knots but, a lateral limb almost perfectly parallel to the ground is required. Slight variations can be worked with but a majority of the time, the perfect branch on the perfect tree is the prerequisite. Most swings range in height from 20 feet up to 50 feet.  The higher the rope is hung, the better the swing.

If there ever was a time to say that overkill is an understatement, now would be that time. The ropes we use are typically 12-strand, solid braid, polyester type that have a typical MBS (Minimum Breaking Strength) of over 10,000lbs. The same standards, if not even more, apply to any and all hardware used in the installations. Some of the swivels, ropes, and other hardware used for your swing are the same things we use every day in our industry that not only keep us aloft and alive in trees, but allow us to safely  rig down thousands of pounds of material day in and day out.  The polyester ropes are naturally resistant to water, mold, mildew, and UV light making them the ideal choice for a long lasting swing.

The same applies to our jobs in the tree care industry as does anything worth doing. It is hazardous but only as dangerous as we allow it to be. The supervision of children is highly encouraged, as well as some adults.  Some basic instructions and a healthy dose of common sense for all users will lay the grounds for years of enjoyment and some pretty awesome memories. Due to the unpredictable nature of tree structures and human judgment, homeowners must sign a waiver of liability before we install any swing on their property.

We cannot apply a set rate on the swings we install because every installation is different. More often than not, the tree must be properly trimmed to ensure a safe swing zone before the swing can be installed. This can increase the overall price of the installation. The type of swing and style of swing seat/base can also affect the price. Your typical single rope swing installation with minor trimming involved usually costs $575.00.

The high quality rope and hardware that we use will maximize the lifespan of your swing. Usually the seat of the swing is in need of a replacement first. A wooden seat can last 5+ years. Plastic, rubber, and composite seats can last much longer. It really depends on the frequency of use and who is using it. The rope should be good for a minimum of 10 years. Periodic visual inspections will let us know if and when we need to replace any component of the swing.