Originally Posted by
Ramblinrev
I can't point you cited research sources but.. to my understanding, there is indeed plenty of evidence that ropes _can_ damage _some_ trees. Some trees are more susceptible than others having a very soft bark or a very soft cambria layer. From my conversations with a forester I was told the problems are two fold. Damaged bark can lead to insect infestation which can damage the tree. But perhaps the more critical and less observable damage, at least by the untrained eye, is the compression of the cambria layer directly under the bark. This layer is where the nutirents for the trees growth are actively being transported. It is very soft and easily compressed. Once compressed the flow of nutrients is restricted or blocked entirely. Once compressed it does not recover very well.
Ropes have a very small point of contact with the tree directing all the pressure into that one small line of contact. Straps have a much broader contact point which spreads the same force over a larger area thus reducing the pressure per square inch. Think snow shoes.... The human foot will posthole into soft snow, but when the same weight is spread around, the person remains on top of the same snow.
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