Tree Trunks In The Play Yard?

[Sunchimes]

DH and I cut down a giant redbud tree yesterday because it was dying. It was really tall but the trunk wasn't but about 8 or 10" in diameter. Maybe 12", I didn't measure.

It dawned on me today that a length of the trunk (maybe 6' or 8') placed in my play yard might give my little ones (18 months) something to climb on. It isn't tall enough for a big fall but it would be fun. It is curved enough that it would be pretty easy to secure so that it didn't roll. Hubby said no, they would get splinters and scrapes. So, I'm wondering if anyone else would do that or has done it successfully.

[Crystal]

I have 10 large slabs of tree trunk in my back yard and the children LOVE them and play on them every single day. Never had an issue. Sure, the occasional scraped knee, but that can happen anywhere

GO FOR IT!!!!! happyface

[Sunchimes]

These aren't chunks, like a table top, it would be the trunks on their side, like logs. Is that what you have?

[Crystal]

I have those too.

Tell hubby they could get splinters on a wooden fence and scrapes pretty much anywhere.....they'll live ::

[Sunchimes]

He's more overprotective than I am with these babies. :: Now I need to talk him into hauling them into the play area for me. Wonder if a chocolate pie would be enough of a bribe...

[Ariana]

I'd pay good money for big tree trunks in my yard!! Right now my yard is flat with grass...booooring!

[sharlan]

I would love to have some tree trunks for the kids to climb on. I've run out of room, though.

[Crystal]

How about varnishing the trunks? That way there won't be splinters?

[Soupyszoo]

I was going to say that too! Maybe sand down the trunks or spots that seem too rough! Sounds like something the kids would love!

[Sunchimes]

Redbuds have a pretty rough bark. I'm thinking it would take me forever to scrape the bark off enough to varnish.

[Michael]

I overly worry about things. As a tree, it is not a liability but as a playing addition I would worry about something happening that could cause injury unless you take the precations that are expected.

[Sunchimes]

I do too Michael, which is why I asked here! I was just out examining them, and they have funny bends that seem to keep them from rolling. I'm pretty sure they are too heavy for my 18 month olds to push over.

I can't do anything with them until Sunday, so I have a few days to ponder this.

[Heidi]

I have one that borders my sandbox, dug into the ground partway to prevent rolling. 4dcb helped me do it...

I want more! I'd love to get the big plastic climber out of here and have only natural landscaping to enjoy...or at least not plastic. I keep hoping I'll come across one of those garden bridges at a yard sale, too...

[Country Kids]

I would love to have something like that!!!! I know with my group though one of them would fall and it the part that was cut and really injury themselves. I could see the insurance company not covering it because it wasn't approved play equipment or something.

[VTMom]

I actually have a tree that fell in our back yard during Tropical Storm Irene (our only casualty). DH is a slacker with taking care of these things, so he cut off the protruding limbs that could jab, and there it lays! After watching the kids go bonkers on it, I've decided to keep it. It's such a great exploring, balancing, play "structure"!

Something I'm thinking about this spring/summer is getting a bunch of sanding blocks and letting the kids go to town themselves! Wouldn't work for 18 mos olds but older kids will love it!