How-to find a safe tree Post-Autumn?

**canoebie** · 11-06-2009, 09:52

Spending time in the woods really helps the power of observation. I have been heating with wood for 45 years (splitting and carrying wood was a childhood chore from the age of 12) and that has taught me a great deal about wood, insects, wind, etc.

I think one of the greatest indicators of the health of a tree is the bark, color, texture, how it adheres to outer limbs, trunk, etc. A casual observation will not reveal a lot, however; a careful observation will usually indicate ill health or insect damage. This is a great post, thanks so much for the information and it certainly is relevant to what we all do.

Being safe makes it even more fun.

**NCPatrick** · 11-06-2009, 10:05

I had a tree break and fall on me on my second night of hanging from it. I had neglected to inspect the tree during setup the day before and didn't notice that the entire top of it had fallen off previously, and that the rest of it was dead. Zombie tree.

Luckily the top of it already being gone made the tree a whole lot lighter when it landed on me. Yeah, that's a bad feeling when you know it's coming down and you can only wait for it to hit...

Could have been a really bad deal, but turned out to be a good lesson in what not to do. No harm, no foul, luckily.

Definitely observe, shake, push, jiggle the trees, and all of the stuff listed here previously to make sure those trees are "safe".

**oldgringo** · 11-06-2009, 10:49

Like canoebie, I cut a lot of firewood...cut enough trees, and you just know by looking.

Around here, our oaks almost invariably have heart rot after they reach old age. A solid, large caliber oak is a rare thing. A 24" living tree being supported by a 2" thick ring of sap wood is typical. I don't trust 'em.