Need to set one post near a tree in my yard. Will a 4x4 work?

**TrailSlug** · 04-03-2016, 20:49

Guys,
I need to set a post near one of the trees in my yard for test hanging. Will a 4x4 at 15 feet out sunk 3 feet in a post sleeve work or do I need to go larger than a 4x4? Thanks in advance.

**Ratdog** · 04-03-2016, 22:16

6x6 minimum.

Folks have used 4x4, some have broken. Nice to have a safety margin, especially if you are sleeving it.

Me, I have a couple of 12x12's but I hang 2-3 hammocks off of one at times.

**TrailSlug** · 04-03-2016, 22:23

Bummer, I bought a 4 foot piece of that PVC sleeve. Do they make that in 6x6? I'll have to look.

**onetearless** · 04-03-2016, 23:05

I hang from 4x4s on a regular basis. Seem pretty rock solid. I am not a carpenter or structural engineer or a ballerina. Also, I'm not spending the night or playing swing set.

Try these links and be sure that safety comes first.

http://www2.wwpa.org/portals/9/docs/pdf/tn9.pdf

https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/arch...rs/example7.1/

**GadgetUK437** · 04-04-2016, 01:26

The 4x4 will be bombproof, if you backtie it.
I did this, made an 18" long staple from a bit of rebar, drove it into the ground 7' behind the post and slung a line of Amsteel from it to a hole drilled in the post 7' up. Made the Amsteel as a loopie sling, and pre-tensioned it by pushing the post as hard as I could towards the staple, whils tightening up the loopie sling.

**TrailSlug** · 04-04-2016, 09:13

Originally Posted by GadgetUK437

The 4x4 will be bombproof, if you backtie it.
I did this, made an 18" long staple from a bit of rebar, drove it into the ground 7' behind the post and slung a line of Amsteel from it to a hole drilled in the post 7' up. Made the Amsteel as a loopie sling, and pre-tensioned it by pushing the post as hard as I could towards the staple, whils tightening up the loopie sling.

I'm putting this in the middle of the lawn so I can remove the post when not in use so I'd rather not have to have anything other than the post that I can slide in and out when needed.

**Stubbed my toe** · 04-04-2016, 13:31

Who doesn't have a telephone pole or a railroad tie in their garage these days, sheesh.

**TrailSlug** · 04-04-2016, 13:33

Originally Posted by Stubbed my toe

Who doesn't have a telephone pole or a railroad tie in their garage these days, sheesh.

I'm not following this one.

**gunner76** · 04-04-2016, 13:47

4x4 post will break, I have two of them fail. I now use pier pilings 7 to 8 inch diameter and 12 ft long. I dug a hole about 4 ft deep and poured some gravel in the bottom, Placed the post in the hole and back filled with dirt and tamped the dirt as I filled the hole. If you can not find pier pilings ( check your local hardware store like ACE or a place that sells boats to see if any are available in your area ). If pier pilings are not available them use a 4x6 or 6x6.

**Perpatater** · 04-04-2016, 17:43

Originally Posted by gunner76

4x4 post will break, I have two of them fail. I now use pier pilings 7 to 8 inch diameter and 12 ft long. I dug a hole about 4 ft deep and poured some gravel in the bottom, Placed the post in the hole and back filled with dirt and tamped the dirt as I filled the hole. If you can not find pier pilings ( check your local hardware store like ACE or a place that sells boats to see if any are available in your area ). If pier pilings are not available them use a 4x6 or 6x6.

It doesn't look like your dog thinks too highly of this setup in photo #2...