Tree Coverage in the US

[cliffhanger]

I can confirm that it's easier to find better trees to hang from on the east coast than southern california.....

[BillyBob58]

When Andrew Skurka published Alan Dixon's 3-part series on hammock camping, there were some claims that the West is less accommodating to hammocks due to lack of trees.

Living in the West and the East, I can attest that the West is more sparse, but I've rarely had a problem finding trees. However, I thought it would be interesting to find an image that showed tree density or coverage across the US to validate some of these claims.

To my delight, I found this intense study that gives a good indication of tree coverage in the world. Where I live in Arizona, there is a nice slice of high tree density, and several patches throughout that are probably mountain ranges.

The worst spots: Nevada and the mid-West. Any Nevada hangers here?

Pretty neat. I can see( I think ) the Mogollon Rim in AZ, the Wastch and Uinta ranges in UT, and very clearly the Wind Rivers in WY, and of course others. Even neater, with the Winds for one example, you not only can make out the range easily but you can tell where the trees end and it goes above timberline.

[breyman]

Great map, thanks for sharing. I'd been curious on and off about the same thing but never took the time to look into it. Appreciate you doing it for us!

[arczeneb]

Trees in Nevada will not the Pacific NW type but smaller with a lot ranges thru out the state exception; Great Basin, Tahoe etc. One that hammocks sees things different than a ground dweller a little imagination and you would hang. Desert landscape more southern Nevada say around Lake Mead you might find a tree eight feet tall or less trick is to find another. Kayaking on the Colorado river there is plenty of non native tamarisk along the shores just keep looking. How would one hang on a bush that supports a hammock. Depending on where I have 2 straps 4ft and 9ft example find a very close boulder 2 slide a small bar between thru a loop connect to a tree that's one way. Most of the time is can locate 2 bushes strap of choice 9ft.
You will miss that 6ft height with a foot or two of ground but your hammock camping. Overall I agree Nevada is sparse even in the desert one can still hang in this state. Also Death Valley is possible.
Enjoy the southwest different scenery with its own beauty.

[cloudedice]

It would be really interesting if we could compare these maps with data from, say, fifty and one hundred years ago.

100 years ago, CT was clear cut and something like 93% of it was farm land. I don't remember the exact number but I'm pretty close.

[SilvrSurfr]

100 years ago, CT was clear cut and something like 93% of it was farm land. I don't remember the exact number but I'm pretty close.

I think that's true of pretty much every Northeastern state, as far as the clearcutting goes. I'm always in awe when I see a tree over 100 years old in the Northeast - not many were left standing due to their "economic" value.

[lilprincess]

100 years ago, CT was clear cut and something like 93% of it was farm land. I don't remember the exact number but I'm pretty close.

I have seen pictures of my hometown in Ma and there was only a few big maples miles apart. It was all farmland!

[MotoBoss]

Thanks for posting this map. It confirms my suspicions here in the Midwest, there are some trees then there are not...........

[Boomer]

When Andrew Skurka published Alan Dixon's 3-part series on hammock camping, there were some claims that the West is less accommodating to hammocks due to lack of trees.

Yep! Definitely a lack of trees here in Washington. LOL

Thanks Derek for the map!

[georgemaung]

Did the JMT with hammock this summer. I was surprised to find trees to hang even at really high up elevations. Fun times.