My stepfather and brother in law and I put up this beam a week ago to hang animals from after hunting. While not in use for that, we hang a swing and climbing rope from it. We started by drilling and cutting out slots about ten inches long for the screws to allow tree movement and reduce strain on the beam.
Secondly, we drilled holes and shallow pits in the beam to hang the I-bolts (which the ropes hang from). The pits were to allow the washer and bolt to go about an inch into the beam because the bolts were shorter than the beam’s vertical height. To help preserve those pits, add strength, and give extra space to walk on, we put a 2 by 8 on top, with glue between and a little on the bolts themselves. For a little fun, we put up a safety line and harness so someone, probably only me, could sit upon the beam.
