Summer Fest

Hammocks and trees are inseparable. Trees create the right foundation for camping. They provide a platform for hammocking by bringing people closer to nature. The beds, therefore, will always exist provided there are enough trees for propping.  

So, why do campers prefer hoisting hammocks on tree stamps as opposed to other harnesses?

Benefits of Using Trees as Anchors

Trees make up a forest. A forest then creates the right environment for hiking and camping. But there is more. Trees are perfect anchor points as they:

• Make hammock installation easy
• Protect campers from falling debris
• Guarantee water availability (trees grow near rivers)
• Shield campers from strong winds
• Foster comfort
• Guarantee hammock stability after installation

The list is endless. But are all hammocks ideal for tree anchorage? Let us find out.

Can You Hang All Hammocks On A Tree?

Hammocks vary in style and design. Simple varieties do not need trees. They stand alone, meaning they do not require existing supports for propping. Anyhow, some cannot survive without external props. They are ideal for the wild. Such devices need trees to harness; more reason campers love them. But do hammocks hurt trees?

The Big Ask

Hammock usage has spiraled out of control over the last few years. Nature enthusiasts wonder if hammocks damage trees and their concerns are not far-fetched. According to environmental experts, the sleeping platforms destroy tree barks before and after installation.

Screwing bolts into tree stamps, for instance, exposes the inner bark to pathogens. That, coupled with bark abrasion caused by the rope harnesses affects tree growth. The two factors make a tree susceptible to disease and infection.

So, this begs the question. Are there ways to protecting trees from hammock damage?

Protecting the Tree from the Hammock

Trees are susceptible to hammock damage when rope scarring and screwing occur. The two processes expose the inner and outer bark leaving the tree prone to disease and infection.

Anyhow, the following approaches can prevent any of the above from happening.

Drilling Instead of Screwing

Did you know you can anchor your bed with eye-hooks on to a tree? The devices work better than bolts. They are not only robust but also easy to install. The eye-hooks also protect the tree from physical damage. You only have to drill into the bark for this to work.

Go for Mature Trees

Young trees are susceptible to damage. Going for the older ones, however, makes sense. Recall, trees become more potent with age. Old plants regenerate damaged tissue faster than the young ones. They also have hard trunks.

Therefore, settling for mature trees curbs structural damage even when plastic ropes are in use. It also protects young plants from exploitation.

Avoid softwood trees. They have tender barks, thus prone to scrapping. Beech, maple, oak, and palm trees are perfect for hammocking.

Secure Dead Points for Anchorage

Nature experts encourage campers to look for dead zones on tree barks and branches. These are the best anchor points, given they are impossible to damage. Their hard composition makes abrasion by hammock ropes unlikely.

Use Adjustable Hammock Hanging Straps

Hanging straps come in handy where bolts and eye-hooks have failed. The best hanging straps to use, however, get produced from durable polyester webbing. They not only prevent abrasion but also allow you to create a snug fit without harming the tree.

Polyester webbing also helps you in harnessing and detaching the hammock as you please. For extra safety, avoid cloth and plastic ropes at all costs. These materials cut through the wood fast.

Tie Up the Loose Ends

Hanging a hammock is easy. You only need to find a thick tree trunk, one that is about 4.5 feet from the ground. The right strapping is also necessary. Seasonal nature lovers urge you to strap a tree stamp tight, but leave enough space for trunk expansion.

The hammock should also align evenly between trees, and maintain a height of 18 inches above the ground. Therefore, make it a habit of inspecting the device every day to ensure it sticks to the above rules.

How to Hang a Hammock like a Pro

Conclusion

Being a nature enthusiast comes with a lot of responsibility. You must not harm plants or allow other campers to damage the trees on your watch. Protecting wild vegetation from destruction ensures you can camp for years to come. But that requires a lot of commitment and effort.

That said, you must learn how to install a hammock without destroying the tree. Using polyester straps, for instance, prevents bark damage. Drilling holes through wood also is better than screwing in the bolts.

For better results, you must use mature hardwood trees for hammocking. They are not only hard to destroy but also regenerate faster after tissue damage. You can also consult an arborist if you are uncertain of which tree to use.

Above all, adhere to the hammock hanging guidelines. Learn how to strap the bed onto a tree, and if you cannot, settle for the stand-alone hammocks that do not need tree stamps for propping. It is that simple!

It is a no brainer that the hammock is an ideal piece of camping gear. The device protects you from the elements of weather, keeps you away from snakes, and offers warmth and comfort, hence a good night’s rest.

However, the platform serves your interests best based on the setup technique you use. But first, you need the right tools.

Hammock Equipment You Require

All hammocks rely on individual components to get the job done. The essentials include:

• The best hammock you can have (Obviously, it is essential.)
• Carabiners
• Straps
• Tarps or rain fly
• Rope or webbing
• Bug net

Each of the parts above serves a unique function. The cable or webbing, for instance, props the hammock on a tree. Tarps shield you from rainfall and snow. Carabiners, on the other side, are hook-like structures. They hold the platform in place.

From the look of things, each component makes the hammock complete. None can exist without the other. It, however, does not end there. You need bug nets to protect you from the disease-causing mosquitoes.

Other Aspects to Consider

A hammock serves your interests depending on your installation technique. You must, therefore, hoist the device according to manufacturer specifications. The guidelines include:

The Minimum Number of Straps to Use

Straps come in different shades. There are those made from plastic and cloth and others from nylon and polyester. It all depends on your preference. However, polyester straps are the most recommended.

They are not only durable but also eco-friendly. Recall, the polyester straps cause little to no harm on tree stumps. Belts made from polyester never get affected by the weather. High moisture content, for example, does not cause the rope to over-expand. Therefore, polyester straps are the most ideal for hammock use.

Hammock camping lovers also encourage you to use a minimum of three straps for propping. Many ropes prevent the platform from swaying beyond control when in use. They give the bed more than enough stability. The cords also give the hammock the edge to support more weight.

Distance from the Ground Surface

Why must you consider how high to hang a hammock? Experts recommend a distance of 18 inches between the ground and bed base. Such a height makes you sit or climb onto the device with ease.

The height also prevents the hammock from going too low when in use. Weight exerted on the platform causes down thrust. Anchoring the bed at such a height, therefore, ensures there is enough clearing between you and the forest floor.

It also protects you from the snakes, spiders, and scorpions – they hide under the rocks and leaf debris. You get protection from flood water too. Tying the cords on the tree stamps and at a minimum height of 48 inches helps you gain enough ground clearance.

Angle of Suspension

Suspension and gradient lines matter a lot. They determine which tangent the hammock will take. Gradient lines also guarantee you of excellent balance and comfort. A 30-degree gradient is, therefore, ideal. It provides the right amount of force; the kind of energy that reduces the amount of tension directed on to the anchor points.  

Distance Between the Anchor Points

Never hang a 12-foot hammock between trees that are only 9 feet apart. Doing so reduces your comfort levels by a significant margin. It also leaves you susceptible to ground attacks. Recall, deadly vipers can reach you easily and so can debris washed away by flash floods.

The most recommended distance for the above platform is 15 feet. Such a width allows you to anchor the bed and still achieve the desired amount of tension. In a nutshell, use the length of the hammock as a guide.

You must, however, handle spaces that are longer than your hammock differently. Using some extra straps yields more stability. Chains also come in handy.

Amount of Tension Cast on Straps

Hammocking is exciting. Anyhow, you should not install the platform at your expense or that of the environment. So, it boils down to the amount of tension exerted on the anchors. It is essential that you tie the rope tightly, but not too tight that it will hurt the tree stamps. Substituting the conventional cable with polyester straps is a real deal saver.

Conclusion

Setting a hammock up is more of an acquired skill. It is a mastered technique that guarantees you of comfort and safety. Comfort and safety, however, is only achievable when you prop the platform at the right height.

But all that depends on the angle of suspension, anchor point distance the number of ropes you use, and the amount of tension exerted on the supports. From the look of things, it takes a little practice to master all these aspects. Practical illustrations are, therefore, vital to your success. They help you adhere to developer guidelines.