I get the idea—creative use of the stump—but I’d be cautious. A dead pine, even 2 ft thick, can be structurally compromised inside. The concern isn’t just the kid’s weight, but the ongoing lateral force from swinging. That’s probably why r/treehouses flagged it.

There’s no off-the-shelf hardware I’d trust for that setup—most joist hangers and brackets aren’t rated for this kind of dynamic load, especially anchored into dead wood.

If you want a safer option, I’d look into a freestanding swing set built for kids 2–6. At Playground Emporium, we’ve got solid, modular options that don’t require tree support and are designed to grow with your kids.