Don't let this happen to you!

**lori** · 11-23-2010, 13:00

I did hang from a dead tree - once. Nothing happened, but that was a lucky thing. When hanging in the dark, flash the light upward first!

Also look out for dead branches the size of your hammock, directly over it... a good gust of wind could really make your trip exciting.

**Cannibal** · 11-23-2010, 13:04

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

I am impressed that the dead tree pulled out by the roots. Could a live tree do that?

In a word, yes.

I've seen it a couple of times, although never while hanging. Both times have been in transition ecosystems. Once an area between alpine and forest and the other time just this past summer up in Canada's north country. In both instances, the ground was 'spongy' and the trees were stunted. I was told it was because there was only a few inches of soil on top of rocky ground. The roots were not able to penetrate the rock and were left spread-out near the surface where there wasn't much hold to begin with. My understanding (limited) is that these trees were the early ones in creating a new ecosystem. They grow to a limited size, then die and provide organic material for the next wave of life. Each wave contributing soil for the ones that will follow. Pretty amazing when you sit down and think about it.

**Poppabear** · 11-23-2010, 13:05

You betcha they can. In water saturated soil conditions and with shallow rooted trees it is a distinct possibilty. In my area pines are very shlllow rooted. And are forever being uprooted by even mild storms. Normally it is the trees that are on the outter edge of a stand. Probably the weight of a hanger alone would not do it but and in water soaked soil and even a moderate wind. Watch out.

**sseaman** · 11-23-2010, 13:16

I have seen a similar episode

**GingivitisKahn** · 11-23-2010, 13:20

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

I am impressed that the dead tree pulled out by the roots. Could a live tree do that?

Give me enough donuts and I could do that to a live tree.

**Shug** · 11-23-2010, 13:23

Remember this tree on hammock??????
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=8386

**Shewie** · 11-23-2010, 13:35

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

I am impressed that the dead tree pulled out by the roots. Could a live tree do that?

I've seen quite a few pines that have been brought down in storms, it's surprising just how little ground they need to thrive on. Quite a lot of the Scottish loch islands are granite based and sometimes you come across a 70ft fallen pine with a root base of no more than a foot.

**Festus Hagen** · 11-23-2010, 13:49

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

I am impressed that the dead tree pulled out by the roots. Could a live tree do that?

I'm no arborist, but it stands to reason that if a tree is dead and "looks dead" the root system would be in similar shape. Dry, cracked, weakened. Live trees sure do pull out by the roots from time to time, tho.

I reluctantly pushed over a similar tree by hand because it was too close to our group/campfire area. I say "reluctantly" because the rangers in the ADK specify gathered wood must be "dead and down", and take a dim view on tree-over-pushers. For me the safety of my group overrode this concern, and the ranger who eventually DID visit our site didn't look twice at this tree.

The ground in this area of the 'dacks was very soft, mossy, and "spongy" (the ground dwellers declared it "comfy"). Out of habit, before I even hung a ridgeline I pushed on both of my chosen trees as hard as I could to make sure they were happy trees... they were.

By the way it got down to about 16F, I was snug as a bug in a rug in my EMS Boreal 0F bag and DD Underblanket