using overgrown laurel bush for dcs to climb? wise idea or not?

[sacbina]

it is dominating a corner of the garden so it either goes or I find a way of using it for dcs to climb.

I've climbed up inside it myself trying to prune some of the height, so its plenty strong enough
is it a wide wise thing to do though ???

Why do you want them to climb it? Just for entertainment purposes?

put a rope ladder in it/build a treehouse/add a swing.

if it is a strong tree why wouldn't you? Not sure I understand the hesitation

Anything climbable, DD1 would already have thoroughly investigated.

Why wouldn't it be a good idea? My DD always liked clambering around in big rhodedendron bushes.

because I wanted to buy them something to climb in the garden, and prefer the idea of something natural than plastic tat. and because it will be removed if it can't be used for climbing.

ds has already explored inside but it's where we hide wheelbarrow and other rubbish so have managed to dissuade.

had planned to remove obviously weak branches

the reason I'm hesitant is it's within a walled border, next to paving slabs so worry about if they fall. I have some soft matting just not sure its enough