There is something about a porch swing that attracts people of all ages.
Our swing has become the center of so many activities in our front yard. It’s a nice spot to catch up with the kids at the end of the day. Grandparents love to gently swing as they watch the little ones running around. My mother loves to get away from our intense energy by quilting on the porch swing. Friends make a B-line straight to the porch swing. They could care less if they never step foot into the house. We love our porch swing.
The thing is – we don’t have a porch.
I fell in love with porches and porch swings in our Tennessee home. Porches have become a necessity when looking for a house to move into. But, when we moved into our latest home, there was no porch. My big old porch swing had to go into storage. That is until I watched “It’s Complicated” – with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin. I fell in love with the setting’s house and yard. I love that setting, and I want it. Unfortunately, that really is complicated – when you don’t have unlimited funds. But, the one thing that really caught my attention was toward the end of the movie, when Alec & Meryl are sitting on a porch swing that was hung from a tree.
Eureka! I just happen to have a huge tree in the front yard, and where there is a will – there is a way.
So, thanks to the big tree, and a great movie, our swing is back – in full swing. Hopefully, you’ll get some inspiration from my porch less – porch swing, and look around your yard for the right spot to hang your porch swing!
Here’s What You’ll Need to Hang a Porch Swing from a Tree…
- A hardwood tree is best, like an Oaktree. Evergreen trees or fruit trees are too soft and will snap under too much pressure
- Try to find a branch that is at a 90-degree angle from the tree and has enough length on the thickest part to hang the swing from
- Make sure the branch is thick and can support the weight at least 3 feet away from the trunk without bouncing
- Branch straps are a good idea for hanging. A rope or chain will weaken the branch
- Do not hang swing too high off of the ground
- To add more safety measures – You can dig into the grass and fill the spot under the swing with sand or something soft like rubber tiles
~Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com –Â
