I removed the bottom limbs from ours. As the tree grew, I installed a big fat rope up the side of the tree with knots tied in it for climbing. As it continued to grow, I secured a small plank of wood about 8 feet up inside the the tree between 2 branches, for a seat. And then we also ended up rigging a small rope with a pully system to hoist a basket up and down with a book or a sandwich in it. That tree became a peaceful haven for my son to climb up into. My son and I eventually built an owl house that he placed higher in the tree - it really became our best tree. I had another one that I left most of the bottom branches in place, removing only one or two for an "entrance" - then I completely cleaned out the inside base of the tree around the trunk, which formed a hidden "fort" right inside the base of the tree. It was very popular with all the neighbor kids. I would consider actually keeping the tree and let it be a great child-friendly piece of nature - a little girl might just love having her own private fort.
