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  1. #1
    New Member CallMeIshmael's Avatar
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    Question: Avoiding Falling Trees in Wet Weather?

    Hey fellow hangers!

    So, a buddy and I were out on an overnight hang in upstate New York, which like most of the North East has been SOAKED lately. Now, I know to avoid big-ol' trees with old limbs during thunderstorms/strong winds, but lately we'd just been having heavy, heavy rains, so I wasn't too worried about falling trees.

    But, I kid you not, we had FOUR widowmakers fall around our camp over the course of the evening, which gave us a pretty good shake (both literally and figuratively). After some research, I figured out this is likely 'cause the ground has been so saturated that the roots just kind of slip out.

    So, here's the question: do y'all think it'd be better to rig up around younger trees, or around older, thicker trees?

    I was thinking younglings, but I wanted some feedback. Or do I just hafta take my chances in the Death Forests up here...or, y' know...just not go camping after big rains...

  2. #2
    Senior Member FBG's Avatar
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    For me it's more about being aware of my surroundings. Experience has taught me, you can't always tell the age, or health of a tree by its size.
    "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
    George S. Patton

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  3. #3
    New Member CallMeIshmael's Avatar
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    True, true words--I pride myself on picking safe, clear sites to hang, but I must've been wwwaaayyy off this time around.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Mountnman's Avatar
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    I look for the smallest trees that I feel will hold me and away from any big narley
    looking trees. I don't just look at my site i walk around a do kind of a perimeter check on anything that looks iffy. Had a close call once, and that was one too many
    "I love not man the less, but Nature more."
    Byron

  5. #5
    Senior Member grannypat's Avatar
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    It seems to be the big, older trees that I see toppled over from saturated ground.
    Keep movin', keep believing and enjoy the journey!

  6. #6
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Hang from a tree that's already blown down. It ain't going nowhere.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Loki's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by grannypat View Post
    It seems to be the big, older trees that I see toppled over from saturated ground.
    Yup. Almost everywhere i drive an otherwise seemingly healthy tree has fallen. So much rain in so few weeks around here...
    - Loki my videos
    "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
    Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
    The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,
    while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." — John Muir


  8. #8
    Tacoma96's Avatar
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    I had an oak about 5 inches in diameter fall this last weekend due to the moisture. I have seen all different sizes and types fall/snap in my property. My chainsaw is always ready.

  9. #9
    New Member CallMeIshmael's Avatar
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    That's what I was thinking too, Grannypat--I always see the big ol' things toppled over, but the thinner young ones seem to hang strong. And I hear ya, Mountman! I don't feel like repeating that again--no close calls, but a close-enough call is close enough for me.

  10. #10
    Formerly octothorpesarus mudsocks's Avatar
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    I love this:

    "It seems to be a very popular opinion that you should hang from the smallest tree possible as it may end up on top of you."

    https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...64&postcount=3

    Certain types of trees seem to be more prone to stress and disease than others and thrive or survive depending on their location. For instance we have plenty of red pines in this part of the state but they don't live very long and rot from the inside out. They retain green needles and it's hard to spot an unhealthy tree. I'm no dendrologist but I suspect it has a lot to due with the acidic, clay and sandy soil. I won't tent, hang or hang around them because I've seen many tops on the ground. We had an exceptionally wet and windy winter and the evidence is on the ground. The good news is I'll rest a bit easier because an awful lot of the weak stuff was culled already. Age is an important factor but not the only one. Knowing the longterm condition/history of an area can tell you a lot about the general health of the forest.

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