They came through this morning , or at least the construction crew did, and started "pruning" our trees to make way for the construction vehicles that will be working on the sewer (on part of our lawn). I noticed what they were doing as I loaded my kid in the car to take him to school. I guess I should have stuck around. By the time I got home it was almost all over. I rushed up to the dude in charge and pointed at my favorite branch. The one I can see from the bay window. The one that my baby has swung on since he was old enough to swing. The one that I was going to put a "big boy swing" in this summer since he is old enough to leave behind the baby swing. I said, "This one stays right?" and he said " No, it was originally supposed to stay, but these guys accidently cut all the branches off of it and now I have to take it completely off". God how embarrassing, I started to cry and ran into the house. I left a sobbing message on the head professional engineers vm, but its not like there is anything they can do. You know, this house isn't the house I expected to raise a family in. It's kinda weird and outdated and we've been slowly fixing it up, but the tree's were awesome and that one perfect branch kicked ***! I guess I should be glad he got 3 years of swinging out of it.

As a mother of a grown child, I don't think it's silly at all. There was a tree and swing that we took pictures of her through the years. It was the one constant in some rough times. Sorry, Spacie

Thanks guys. I really felt lame crying about it. Luckily my husband was home and patted my hand through the worst of it.

Sorry about the trees Spacie but if you want to protect the trees,call the village and tell them you need them trimmed. You'll never hear from or see them again.

I'm so sorry this happened to you Spacie, but Arten's right...if you request it... they will not come. If you are really upset, let the village manager know.

Space, that stinks. I have been hearing the high pitched beeps for a couple of months now coming from your direction and was wondering how it was going over there. The little things in life bring us joy and for the village to take that away from you because they trimmed something they shouldn't have, is really a shame.

Remember though, they saved you how much money by getting a low interest loan from the state. Yeah, great, they send you the bill and take away memories that mean more to you than anything. What a joke!!!!!

Sorry to hear about that spacie.......

Since the village makes such a big deal about the trees and can fine you if you cut them, I think the village should be accountable for cutting your tree and compensate you. Was it on your property or village property?

It was on our property. I have to say...Bob called me back after the tearful message I left on his VM and apologized. A Lot. He said the guys felt bad about the mistake (probably impacted by my tears and mad cap dash for our door). He talked to us about what was going on over here on the easment. Soon there will be a battalion of construction vehicles over here which will make the 3 year old happy. I have to say, the work does seem to be going swiftly around here.

Mike and I have been scouting other branches on our trees for swing potential. Does anyone know how to hang a swing off of a branch that is steeply angled so there is no slippage?

quote:

Originally posted by Spacie:

Mike and I have been scouting other branches on our trees for swing potential. Does anyone know how to hang a swing off of a branch that is steeply angled so there is no slippage?

Try this link, Spacie!

The quick answer is DON'T use a rope, use an eye bolt that goes all the way through the branch. And get stainless steel.

I can attest from personal experience that a rope swing can, over time and from intense use pretending you're Luke Skywalker in the Death Star bridge scene, kill the branch that holds it.