Tree Swing Installation by Piedmont Tree Climbing 

Hi Bryan. Thanks for watching and commenting. Drilling a hole through the limb pierces the living layer of the tree in two places (top and bottom of the limb). That is less impact than tying a cinching knot around the limb, which over time can completely choke off the limb. The tree is very good at isolating the wound of a clean hole drilled straight through the limb - especially when it is only 5/8 inch in diameter. Having the bolt in the hole also prevents decay since insects are less likely to get in. The only maintenance needed on a swing installed with a through bolt and 5/8" polyester spliced rope is to keep an eye on the limb to make sure it stays healthy. The only friction will be metal on metal which adds to the life of the swing.

Thank you for answering this question. I was replacing an old broken down tree swing and I seriously didn’t have the heart to wrap rope around the branch. I had heard a few say about drilling into the branch but I wasn’t sure about that. Now I am. Thanks again! 👍

Any hardware store will have all those parts.

The thimble won't pass through the eye bolt.

Ok I see, I put one up and persuaded the thimble over the eye and braided and eye over the thimble. Ill attach a picture of it.

I use a pole mounted sling shot called the Notch Big Shot.

Thanks, Joe. I use carbide tipped ship auger bits. For a 5/8 bolt I use an 11/16 drill bit.

Patrick Brandt super thanks !

galvanized

The rope in this video is 3/4 Tenex Tec. I use 5/8 Tenex Tec for my double rope swings. You can buy Tenex Tec by the foot from most online arborist supplier such as Wesspur.com, Treestuff.com, and Sherrilltree.com. Have fun - good luck!

@@PatrickBrandt How do you get the loops on each end once you have your measurement?

@@PatrickBrandt How do you split the rope to add those metal pieces? ant trick? thanks

never mind! I found the video where you show how to do it , thanks! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eKfS-4i9Gp0.html

@@patrickfearon7942 that is called splicing. Really easy. I have a video of it. He has some too.

John Dunn I'm in the Durham/Chapel Hill NC area. Thanks for watching.

@@PatrickBrandt Howdy neighbor from eastern NC

That bolt is a forged should eye bolt. I'm not sure what the swing hooks are that you are referring to. If you contact me from my RU-vid About page I'll send you a list of the supplies I use and where I buy them.

@@PatrickBrandt Any chance I can get that list too. I am all the way in Wilbraham Mass. and just ran everywhere looking for stuff. If you have time that would be great.

Same here Patrick. Please and thank you

do you think the straps would cause less damage if they were looped around the branch more than once? so they are moving less?