Burying posts to hang a hammock?

[hk2001]

I want to hang a hammock in a specific place on the property we're buying, without permanently hanging from the same set of trees. My solution is to sink a few posts in where I want to hang. But I have a few questions, and I'm hoping someone can answer.

Is a concrete anchor needed? (5 gallon bucket)
What size post should I use? 4x4? 6x6?
How far down do they need to go?
Should they be angles outwards like a 2x4 hammock stand, or can they be vertical?
Should the tops of the posts be guyed out?

Thanks all!

[gmcttr]

You'll get lots of opinions, but if you have reasonably firm soil, use at least 4x6 (or 6" round) pressure treated posts buried 36" deep and use the excavated soil or crushed stone to backfill in 6" layers, compacting each layer as you go, those posts will be there for at least a decade. Use a post hole digger or auger to excavate holes not much larger than required to fit the posts.

[Osulagh]

I'd just go for a freestanding stand. You can move them around and not much dirty work.

Though, I think gmcttr is on the money. I've planted posts without concrete and they would have held a hammock just fine for a long time.

[12trysomething]

I'm in NY, like you. Recently I did the same thing, here is what I came up with. 4x6 post with the 6" side towards the hammock. I went 40" down and dry poured 3 bags of concrete in and then let the rain soak in. After 3 days I was swinging from the post.

I kept everything plumb and square, no guy lines or supports. The only problem with 4x6 that I found, they come in 8' or 12' lengths...no 10' near me. Meant I need to go with 12'.

Good luck, it is a great project.

[Bannerstone]

A 4x4 can be kind of bendy depending on how high you're attaching a 4x6 oriented correctly would be a bit better. Concrete is a must.

Don't rule out a steel pipe, like well casing. My preference would be to make the setting/foundation so the pipe is removable and cap the opening for when the pipe isn't in place. This is possible with a wood post as well but can be complicated somewhat by moisture and swelling of the post.

David

[Koolranch]

I purchased this one and in very happy.

Vivere 15BEAM-BLK Heavy Duty 3-Beam Hammock Stand, 15-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002URUA38..._dhsoub05PHFS4

I'm not sure what your time and materials cost but this setup was great.

[gmcttr]

...Concrete is a must...

With 25 years of construction experience, I respectfully disagree.

[dirtwheels]

gmcttr has a fine plan. One of the best ideas I've seen posted is setting a steel pipe in the ground just larger than the pipe you plan to use t hang from and that way the post can be removed when not in use which would be handy in smaller yards. Following gmcttr's plan the sleeves should last a generation or more with good drainage. SO very thankful for my trees.

[oldgringo]

With 25 years of construction experience, I respectfully disagree.

Yup. No concrete here.

[Rat]

Hire a fence builder to do them for you. I hate digging post holes, but I live on a rock pile.