First time on this side of the blog for me! Ever since the day I made an offer on the house, Daisy has been dreaming up a homey tree swing. After many conversations of where the swing would hang, we finally came up with the perfect spot and made her dream a reality. Hope you enjoy!

Supplies

• 2×8 Western Red Cedar Board (We bought at a cedar mill close to Murfreesboro, Cedar Direct.) You could also use any hard wood, like Oak, with a polyurethane coat. We use cedar because it naturally withstands weather without requiring a polyurethane coat!
• 3/4 in. ProManila Rope The amount of rope needed depends on how high your branch is! Get extra footage to allow for the knots! Our branch was high, so we used around 65 ft of rope. (We used synthetic rope, so that is won’t stretch when it gets wet & it will last longer through all weather conditions.)
• Miter Saw ( If you don’t have a miter saw you can use a circular saw or even a hand saw.)
• Tape Measure
• Drill
• Level
• Lighter
• 1 in. Forstner Drill Bit
• Pencil
• Painters Tape
• (2) 1/2 in. Wire Rope Clips (Buy at your local hardware store.)
• 3/8 in. Ratchet with socket to fit the nut on the wire clip. Ours were 17 mm.

Steps

1. Measure 27 in. off the end of your cedar 2×8 board. Place it on the saw and cut it!

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3. Measure 2 in. from the ends of your board on each corner and make a small mark. Next, measure 1 .5 in. from the front and back of your swing on each corner and make another small mark. You should now have 4 small x’s on your board.

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4. Take your drill and 1 in. forstner bit and drill all four holes ensuring your bit is placed in the center of the “x” before drilling.

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5. Cut your rope in half so you have 2 ropes the same length for each side of the swing. Wrap the painters tape around the part you’re going to cut, so the rope doesn’t fray. Then, take your lighter and burn all four ends of the rope.

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6. Take your board and insert the rope from the top of the swing into the front hole and then back out the back hole. Repeat this process for the other side with the other half of the rope.

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7. Next, tie an overhand knot in the long end of the rope followed by a taught line hitch knot on top of the overhand knot with the tag end of the rope for both sides. See our video HERE for clearer instruction.

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8. Now you’re ready to hang your swing! Climb up to the branch of your choice and wrap each rope around the branch twice. Make sure to keep the rope 22 in. apart on the branch so it matches the distance apart on the swing.

9. Once you have the ropes wrapped, take your tag end and and place it against the strand running down to the swing and attach the wire rope clip around them both. Do this for both sides.

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10. Place the nuts back on the wire rope clip and tighten them with your ratchet and socket. Do not tighten firmly yet.

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11. Make sure your swing is level. Enlist a helper for this part, so they can check the level on the ground while you’re in the tree. If it’s leaning on one side, simply pull the rope on the branch tighter to take up the slack.

12. Once your swing is level, take your ratchet and socket and firmly tighten the nuts on the wire rope clips evenly.

13. Climb down and start swinging!

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If you don’t want to make your own swing, I am offering pre-made swings! The swings come with 20 feet of reach on each side, and are made with the best materials! The western red cedar will naturally withstand weather, and the natural looking synthetic rope is the best option to withstand weather as well. The pre-made swings are $100 + an optional delivery and hanging fee of $100 to anyone in Murfreesboro! If you’re interested, message me at 615-969-4944!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

Elijah Montgomery