Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Hammock
    Argon 11'
    Tarp
    Big Daddy
    Insulation
    Jarbige + Snivler
    Suspension
    Speed hooks
    Posts
    78

    Damage to bark from using rope to extend straps?

    If you have your rope (be it whoopie sling or speed hook leads) larks-headed to your straps, you can use it to take the place of some of your straps if they happen to fall short in reaching around the tree.

    When the suspension leaves contact with the tree before turning into rope I don't feel bad about this. However, on my last trip, the rope portion reached nearly to the back of the tree (I have 6ft straps, btw). In the morning I noticed fine ground bark around the rope, and the bark was a little filed flat in that area (nothing you'd notice if you weren't told what to look for).

    Is this damage merely cosmetic? Is the thinking that trees of that size have sufficiently thick bark to protect them from things like this? Or should I be getting longer straps for these cases?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    It's possible the damage was limited to bark. The concern would be excessive pressure causing damage to the cambium layer underneath. If how you were set up is the norm for your area then maybe longer straps are needed.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Hammock
    WB XLC
    Tarp
    WB SuperFly
    Insulation
    HG 20 Inc/Burrow
    Posts
    839
    Images
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by pdxleif View Post
    Is this damage merely cosmetic? Is the thinking that trees of that size have sufficiently thick bark to protect them from things like this?
    The honest truth is I don't think anyone here knows if/when some topical abrasion represents any measurable threat to the health of the tree. Even if we had more than speculation, accurate answers would certainly vary based on tree species.

    Quote Originally Posted by pdxleif View Post
    Or should I be getting longer straps for these cases?
    Depends where you camp. Probably. Regulations, when they are in place, typically call for a 1" strap where it is in contact with the tree. At a minimum following that standard helps manage the perceptions of others that we might be doing more damage to the surrounding environment than someone in a tent, and perhaps it really is better for the tree as well.

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Rope vs. Tree Straps
      By Denis Bailey in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 30
      Last Post: 01-06-2014, 09:58
    2. How far does the HF community extend?
      By TheFirePitGuy in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 28
      Last Post: 08-20-2013, 17:30
    3. Cambium Damage - Rope vs. Tree Straps
      By Denis Bailey in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 39
      Last Post: 04-29-2013, 08:14
    4. Tree bark damage?
      By Jsaults in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 46
      Last Post: 03-24-2011, 11:30
    5. Hanging without straps and rope damage
      By jscalia in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 18
      Last Post: 11-05-2007, 10:41

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •