Hanging a hammock is not a difficult task to do, especially when you know the techniques.
Actually, there are a hundred ways to hang a hammock and doing it on trees is just one way of enjoying the priceless pleasure of riding a hammock. But be sure you don’t hurt the trees where you will hang your hammock.
Unlike a free-standing hammock, a hanging hammock needs something to hold on to.
Hanging a hammock from trees is a terrific idea, especially when you are outdoors (when camping, mountain climbing, or even the comfort of your backyard) and the sun is shining.
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3 Key Tactics in Hanging a Hammock From Trees
Hammocks are a wonderful spot to have well-rested moments especially when you are exhausted from work. It is a great place to take a sublime nap, have a deep sleep or just while away time while you are suspended mid-air swinging.
We shall give you some tips on how to hang a hammock without damaging the trees from which it hangs in easy steps.
Step 1: Find Healthy Trees
Most experts recommend that you find trees with a trunk-to-trunk distance of 13 to 16 feet. However, distances more than 16 feet to 25 feet can be covered by using adjustable straps.
The trees that you should look for must appear healthy and have trunks big enough to carry the load of the hammock users.
Step 2: Determine the Distance Between Trunks
When you selected the right trees, you should ascertain the trees’ gap if they can support the height of the hammock when installed.
But how can you determine the trunk-to-trunk distance when you don’t have a tape measure with you especially in the middle of the jungle? Simple.
Lay down the entire hammock that you would want to hang between the trees and determine if the cot’s length (including the length of the rope and the strap) is enough to have a good tension and the right pitch.
Step 3: Choosing the Right Technique for Hanging
Option 1: Using Tree Hugging Straps
Modern hammock kits are purchased complete with hardware such as removable flat fabric straps designed to bear the weight of a person or persons using the swing. They don’t leave damaging marks on the trees’ barks.
Using this kind of straps is the quickest and the easiest method to hang a hammock from trees.
Option 2: Using Permanent Metal Hooks
Most metal hooks are made from stainless steel or galvanized iron (also called eye screws or eye bolts). The ideal size is a 4-inch eye bolt. Using small hooks of this type will not damage the trees.
This method is the best to use when you want to have a permanent place for the hammock in your backyard. Be sure to make a clean puncture into the trees to assure that the trees will not be harmed.
By using this method, you can drill a hole (1/8 or 3/16 of an inch in diameter) as a pilot hole. Then use the carabiner required to lift the load and assemble the hammock.
Option 3: Using Padded Rope
If ever you don’t have available flat straps or hooks in a remote place, you can use a padded rope, lining or other forms of barricade between the trees and the hammock rope. This way, the trees will be protected from scratching.
The best to use is bits of a rubber garden hose allowing a shielding layer between the metal chain or rope and the bark of the tree.
Useful hammock hack
Most experts recommend to use a hammock with a 55-inch spreader bar for the maximum safety, comfort, vastness, and relaxation.
Hammocks without spreader bars (also called Brazilian or Maya types) may cause to envelop the user which is more ideal for one-person use where he/she wants limited movement.
Best Alternative When You Don’t Have Something to Hang to
If you can’t find the ideally spaced trees on which to hang your hammock, most hammock enthusiasts suggest using a free-standing hammock stand to solve your problem.
The new generation of hammocks nowadays (free standing hammocks) come with complete hardware, easy to assemble and taken down, and are very light and portable you can bring them anywhere.
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Wow! Such awesome tips in regard to hang a hammock without damaging trees, I love camping in different places, I remember there were awesome days when I’d first time camping for the fun of it and it was fantastic, I glad to have a blog to accompany me in my quest.