Australian trees to avoid?

**Ratel10mm** · 09-30-2008, 06:34

Hi all, new member & first post.
Having just moved to Australia, I've noticed a lot of trees seem to be keen to shed branches without warning.

So, may I ask if anyone can tell me, or point me in the direction of a list, of trees to avoid sleeping under in Oz?

Thanks a lot.

**neo** · 09-30-2008, 11:44

welcome to hammock forums,we have several people here on hammock forums
from your corner of the earth

neo

**bkrownd** · 09-30-2008, 15:26

I'd stay away from the eucalyptus imported to hawai'i as well. BIG branches falling a LONG way

**gunn parker** · 09-30-2008, 19:20

Hi and welcome
I tried to search up some info for you but I did not find much.
I my time in a hammock here in Perth I have not had any trouble from any branches falling.
I'll try to find out more for you later.
Gunn

**slowhike** · 09-30-2008, 19:22

Don't know anything about the trees in Oz, but it's a good habit to get into anywhere, taking time to "look up" & scope out the trees you're thinking about hanging your hammock from. as well as those near by. Easy to over look, but well worth the time.
We call those dead trees & limbs, "Widow Makers".

**BillyBob58** · 10-01-2008, 12:14

Do they have Aspens in Oz? I have often wondered about the safety of Aspens in the American west. The only reason for that is what some folks told me when I lived in Flagstaff, AZ., 20 plus years ago. Two teens who lived next door would go out every year to legally gather a quota of fire wood from the Coconino national forest just outside of town. They commented on how easy it was to knock down an Aspen, because of it's shallow root system. They said if they just rocked it back and forth for a while it would come down. I don't remember what size tree they were talking about.

Any body have any experience hanging from Aspens, especially during storms with high wind, or know if this is a bogus claim?

**Ratel10mm** · 10-02-2008, 05:04

Thanks guys.

Ther'es 2 Eucalyps in my in-laws' garden, & they're always shedding branches. I figure the species in general is probably one to avoid for now. Slow Hike, MiL says they call guym trees 'widow makers' here for the same reason.

**gunn parker** · 10-02-2008, 07:19

I have found something that might help.
Global Garden

Which species are most vulnerable to limb shear?

Some eucalypts are particularly vulnerable. River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) (see top right), Narrow-leafed Peppermint (E. nicholii), Sugar Gum (E. cladocalyx), Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora), Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) and Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus botryoides) are trees to be watched in particular. Most species of Elm are also prone to limb shear. Ulmus procera and U. x hollandica seem equally likely to do it.

**RTR** · 10-03-2008, 17:21

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Do they have Aspens in Oz? I have often wondered about the safety of Aspens in the American west. The only reason for that is what some folks told me when I lived in Flagstaff, AZ., 20 plus years ago. Two teens who lived next door would go out every year to legally gather a quota of fire wood from the Coconino national forest just outside of town. They commented on how easy it was to knock down an Aspen, because of it's shallow root system. They said if they just rocked it back and forth for a while it would come down. I don't remember what size tree they were talking about.

Any body have any experience hanging from Aspens, especially during storms with high wind, or know if this is a bogus claim?

I am callin BS on that one as far as being able to push down a good sized (Hammock worthy) Aspen if it is alive and healthy. I live in Utah and basically use Aspen Trees specifically. I avoid the "Pine" trees due to the sap as much as possible and they are the two trees of choice here. I can not say I am a seasoned Hammocker but I have deff spent enough nights in the woods among the Aspen Trees and can't say they are weaker than any other tree. If anything I would say they are stronger due to their ability to bend and sway in storms. However I deff notice many "Widow Makers" of various sizes in almost every tree I sleep under and will always look up as SlowHike suggested prior to hangin my rack. This isnt a new deal for me as I always did this before setting up a suspension challenged hammock (See tent).

**Walking Bear** · 10-03-2008, 20:08

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Do they have Aspens in Oz? I have often wondered about the safety of Aspens in the American west. The only reason for that is what some folks told me when I lived in Flagstaff, AZ., 20 plus years ago. Two teens who lived next door would go out every year to legally gather a quota of fire wood from the Coconino national forest just outside of town. They commented on how easy it was to knock down an Aspen, because of it's shallow root system. They said if they just rocked it back and forth for a while it would come down. I don't remember what size tree they were talking about.

Any body have any experience hanging from Aspens, especially during storms with high wind, or know if this is a bogus claim?

I'm not sure about the strength of the Aspens. However, I think that a grove of Aspens is one plant. I think they send up new shoots from the roots. So all of the trees in a grove or stand could be one plant.