Tarp cords cause tree damage?

[garethw]

I would seriously doubt, even if there is a mark on a tree when you tear down the tarp, that it does any lasting damage to any tree.
Trees are pretty tough plants, and if the bark isn't removed all around, or perforated to the core, the tree is very unlikley to suffer any ill-effect.
If you are worried a couple of sticks pushed down behind the ridgeline, before you tension it should see that the load is spread enough to avoid any problems.
cheers
Gareth

[Owl]

This is what I have been doing lately to help reduce the sawing action of tightening the tarp ridgeline around the tree. I found that it allows the line to slide on the tree without digging in as much as it was before. I Wasn't finding much damage before but with all the talk awile back in the thread "abandoning tree straps" I wanted to take it a step further and help protect the tarp line as well. It is simply just small tubular webbing around 18" long slipped over the line were it goes around the trees.

I think I like this solution the most out of those that I have seen thus far. I'm gonna have to make something along these lines or see what I can find ready made.

Thanks for sharing this!

[Shug]

Wood-peckers peck 'em, bears scratch them, insects chew them, logger log them, wind topples them. Trees sure take a beating.
I have my yard trees where I test a lot and they seem OK.
If in a State Park or Campground where Rangers and Owners rule....might not be a bad idea to add some protection.
Shug

[JoeyB]

I would seriously doubt, even if there is a mark on a tree when you tear down the tarp, that it does any lasting damage to any tree.
Trees are pretty tough plants, and if the bark isn't removed all around, or perforated to the core, the tree is very unlikley to suffer any ill-effect.
If you are worried a couple of sticks pushed down behind the ridgeline, before you tension it should see that the load is spread enough to avoid any problems.
cheers
Gareth

my thoughts exactly.
i doubt all of the combined hammocks hung in the woods could ever do any more to the trees used, than natural occurrences like bears clawing bark getting the sap etc...

one thing i do frequently is, wrap my tarp lines around the straps used for the hammock.

[jasonb986]

If in a State Park or Campground where Rangers and Owners rule....might not be a bad idea to add some protection.
Shug

Exactly what Shug said. I know I have run into a park ranger that was high on power, better safe than sorry.

[Jsaults]

Great minds think alike! I started using geuued 550 cord on my new 1.75 Zing-It ridgelines. I believe that the greatest possibility for damage is in the initial tightening phase when the ZingIt is "sawed" across the bark. After that, the 550 sheath just acts like a bit of padding and a cushion for the ZingIt to chafe against as the trees sway.

As Shug said, it is probably a good idea to be one step ahead of the Authorities.

Jim

[smashdn]

Wood-peckers peck 'em, bears scratch them, insects chew them, logger log them, wind topples them. Trees sure take a beating.
I have my yard trees where I test a lot and they seem OK.
If in a State Park or Campground where Rangers and Owners rule....might not be a bad idea to add some protection.
Shug

Buck deers really put a whoopin on them when they get a hankering to work their neck muscles out!