Tree Trunks In The Play Yard?

[Jenniferdawn]

I'd love to have tree trunk pieces too. My daughters waldorf kindergarten has a bunch of them the kids sit on, stand on, roll around and use for tables. Great, natural play equipment! I don't think they need varnish. It will take away from the natural appeal. A light sanding on rough part would be enough and a great gift to the children.

[Cat Herder]

I'd not worry too much about the tree trunk....it is the wildlife it invites.

Here CaneBrakes (crotalus horridus), Black Widow and Brown Recluse use them as shelter.

Be sure to do a thorough walk around before allowing kids out each day during the warm season.

[SilverSabre25]

I'd not worry too much about the tree trunk....it is the wildlife it invites.

Here CaneBrakes (crotalus horridus), Black Widow and Brown Recluse use them as shelter.

Be sure to do a thorough walk around before allowing kids out each day during the warm season.

what's a canebrake?

[Blackcat31]

what's a canebrake?

OMG! Google it! I could NEVER deal with that!

According to Google, it is a Timber Rattlesnake. I can deal with the little ones we have here but not ones that big and ones that are poisonous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_horridus

[Sunchimes]

The only snakes I've seen around here are little grass snakes, but I hadn't thought about spiders. Spiders are such sneaky little things. I've never seen a black widow here in town, but I know they must be here and I just haven't seen them. I need to think about this some more. It's suppose to rain all weekend so I don't have to decide for another week.

[SilverSabre25]

OMG! Google it! I could NEVER deal with that!

According to Google, it is a Timber Rattlesnake. I can deal with the little ones we have here but not ones that big and ones that are poisonous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_horridus

See...I'm asking because I don't WANT to Google it! :: I didn't know if it was a bug and if it was I didn't really need 5000 pictures of some creepy insect popping up unexpectedly!

Snakes I can deal with though.

(but, I'm soooo glad that central OH is not native to many nasty buggies or other critters!)

[Blackcat31]

See...I'm asking because I don't WANT to Google it! :: I didn't know if it was a bug and if it was I didn't really need 5000 pictures of some creepy insect popping up unexpectedly!

Snakes I can deal with though.

(but, I'm soooo glad that central OH is not native to many nasty buggies or other critters!)

Have you seen this about the Wolf Spiders that are taking over the town in Australia? It is soooooooo gross do NOT click and look if you are at all squimmish about spiders.....

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/07/10598885-spiders-quick-to-rebuild-in-flood-ravaged-australia

It is the worst thing I have ever seen! I have had the creepy crawlies since I first saw it....

[Country Kids]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!

Reminds me of a movie from the 70's or 80's with William Shatner. It was a town that was overtaken by spiders and at the end they show the whole town being webbed over!!!!! How freaky that would be if it really happened-.

[MrsB]

Ewwww!

Spiders have never really bothered me but in mass numbers it gives me the e-b-gee-bees!

Reminds me of when my son (about 5) and our neighbor boy spent ALL day collecting spiders in a huge mayo jar. I'm talking over a 200 hundred spiders. After playing together all day they started to get short with each other. I didnt cut in trying to let them work it out on their own. So my son was getting pretty mad so they went to opposite ends of the yard. My son picked up that jar of spiders and dumped it on the neighbor boys head. OH MY GOSH! 200 spiders crawling all down this kids body. It didnt phase the boy much, but I would have flipped my lid!

[GretasLittleFriends]

I saw the picture of the farm scene yesterday, and I thought it was flood waters. When I opened the story and realized it was spider webs I couldn't help but to show my 16yr old dd. She and I both have a respectful dislike of spiders. They have their place in nature, but it needs to be in nature, not in my house. When she realized they were spiders' webs, she was very concerned if this was anywhere near where we live. She was ok with it being in Australia, but I think since seeing that photo she has potentially crossed Australia off her "must see destination" list. ::

Back to the original post about the tree trunk. I do think it is a great play toy, however, I would be worried about the log decaying. Until that happens, let the kids enjoy Mother Nature's play equipment.