[DWooderson]

This is either stupid or brilliant.

My wife wants to put our porch swing in the area depicted in the photographs below (a nice shady reading spot with a great view). I superimposed a proposed beam in the photographs, the beam would be a pair of 2x8s, 12' long.

The beam would attach to the structure at a ~45 degree angle using this joist hanger and use a sheer screw (bolt) as well. I'd attach to the tree with a single 3/4" lag bolt.

But as I type this post, it's occurring to me that a strong storm could blow the tree enough to cause damage to the structure.

I think just answered my own question, thankfully before I executed the project, but I think I'll still post this topic for confirmation of my stupidity.

The alternative is a freestanding A-frame, or maybe I could do one side supported by the A-frame, and still mount the other side to the structure with the joist hanger..? I'm trying to cut down on structural material which clutters our view of the pond from the house.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Beam on the outdoor structure looks beefy. I would suggest a hanger on that beam, painting to match the brown, vs. a galvanized steel bracket. I would also check with best practices on tapping into that tree.

 

[Nealtw]

I don't know the limit you can do to a tree but the connection to the roof should be over the brick column, where you have support in more directions.

 

[rdy2go]

Wouldn't it make sense to place the beam on top of the existing beam? If you get tired of it, removing it would not leave any traces.

 

[Old Thomas]

You need some kind of slip joint to allow the tree to sway in heavy wind.

 

[rdy2go]

You need some kind of slip joint to allow the tree to sway in heavy wind.

Wow, I had not thought about that. So the new beam should be just resting over the other in some steel U plate channel that can somehow rotate and where the beam can glide back and forth, a bit like a rod in a crankcase.:icon_rolleyes:

This is either stupid or brilliant.

I am starting to wonder that the whole idea may not be on the brilliant side, and the beam may end up looking odd and out of place. I would go with a freestanding swing, make it as big or small as she wants.

All that said, looking at the pictures, I have to say you have a beautiful area there!

 

[Windows on Wash]

You need some kind of slip joint to allow the tree to sway in heavy wind.

Good catch. Totally forgot about that.

Wouldn't it make sense to place the beam on top of the existing beam? If you get tired of it, removing it would not leave any traces.

This would probably solve both of those things. Set the beam on the other beam and box it in so that it can slide in and out with tree movement, but not come off the beam.

 

[Old Thomas]

I don’t think it is good practice to build between a structure and a tree.

 

[HotRodx10]

I think Windows on Wash has you 80% of the way to a solution. It's lacking is some guide blocks extending up from the support beam on the structure to keep the beam you're adding from sliding along the support beam and to keep it vertical. Also, at the tree, I recommend 2 of those 3/4" lag bolts, one above the other, with washers on both sides of the beam and 1" long bushings (aka bolt sleeves) between the beam and the tree as a standoff to allow the tree to grow. I would keep the standoff to 1" as a maximum, but if the tree trunk isn't plumb at the attachment location, you can cut one bushing shorter to align the beam vertical.



You may find that your beam flexes laterally more than you want with someone swinging in the swing. If so, you can add a 2x laterally on the top of bottom of the beam that extends most of the length of the beam; you can stop it short of the tree and the end support and it will still stiffen it up.

 

[chandler48]

the whole idea may not be on the brilliant side

I think free standing would make more sense. That tree could cause some serious problems for the structure if the winds got up a bit.

We built two of these for a retirement village locally from a picture the administrator took in Savannah. Beefy, but they looked like what he wanted.

 

[Old Thomas]

I saw a similar swing in a park south of Blairsville, GA and took pics so I could copy it.

 

[chandler48]

They are in Hiawassee, Ga, about 18 miles from Blairsville, but East on 76.

 

[Old Thomas]

The ones I saw were in Meeks Park just south of Blairsville. We have family in Blairsville and Woodstock.

 

[chandler48]

I'll have to drop in the park sometime to see them. I like getting new ideas. Thanks.

 

[quietguru057]

Cool structure.

 

[dj3]

I also believe that doing what you are proposing will hurt your existing gazebo.
The idea in the pictures Chandler posted look very doable. So are A frame supporters.