Can I hang a swing from a weeping willow?

[kaylie]

I have some pallets to play with and I saw this on Pinterest:



We have a massive 20 year old weeping willow in the back yard. Does anyone know if I can hang a swing from it assuming there's a good branch at least 8'' thick?

[purrbox]

I don't know a ton about willows, but I don't think the branches would be sturdy enough. I could be wrong, though.

[puglady]

I grew up with a tire swing on a weeping willow. And would pile three kids on it at once and swing like little wild weirdos. That said, this is completely anecdotal, and I don't know if it's a good idea.

[kaylie]

I just went out and looked and the branch is at least 14'' thick (probably closer to 20'' - it's high up and my spacial reasoning sucks). It's definitely not flexible but we did lose a 6'' thick branch in a hurricane. It's a pretty easy project, so maybe we'll give it a shot. There aren't any children in the household that might be injured if the branch breaks.

[IndiaInk]

Weeping willows have weak, brittle wood. I'm not a safety freak, but I would be pretty hesitant to hang a swing from one. Even though you don't have any kids in the house, visiting children will probably head straight for the swing.

I don't have any kids and just bought a house last week with a front porch swing. Our friends came over to see the place with their young boys and the first thing the kids did was pile onto the porch swing and swing so hard that my house has scuff marks in exterior paint already. Don't underestimate kids and swings!

[Deleted]

I would not either.
Granted I come from the Land of Extreme Wind, but weeping willows leave branches of every size everywhere all the time.
They're such a messy disaster as a result. I wouldn't trust a swing on one at all..and not much keeps me awake at night in the safety department.

[kaylie]

Thanks guys. Alright, you've convinced me. I guess the pallets will become shelves instead.