How to hang a hammock outdoors, on trees

[@hammockgurus6796]

Straps vs Rope for tree health. There is a lot of talk about this in the community so I thought I’d address it. The short conclusion: The wider the material you use, the wider the area that the pulling force will be distributed, the better for the tree. So, yes… a really wide and padded strap is definitely better than a small diameter rope or cord. 
That said… I would say from my own research that 90% of articles that scare you into believing that if you hang a hammock for 2 hours from a tree, it will die an agonising death…. are articles that have links to overpriced hammock strap products. They also use scary images of small trees that have had like a shipping rope around them for about 5-10 years so the tree looks strangled. So yeah, don’t do that :D. For a permanent situation in your backyard, you should use posts or a hammock stand. But this is for going to the park for a couple of hours or an overnight hammock camping trip. One could argue that leaning on a tree, walking over its roots, climbing it, “could” damage it. So if we want to do any of these things, we must prioritise the wellbeing of the tree, regardless of what equipment you use. Let’s use our best informed sense. If you have straps (2in / 5cm wide) then use them, but also you need to find a suitable tree regardless of what you use. If a strap bunches up, the surface area of force distribution will be the same (or even smaller) than a rope. Find a healthy tree that is older and that has solid bark. If the bark is vulnerable you will notice as soon as you try to wrap the rope OR the strap around it. The strap/rope will not slide down due to friction and tension, so don’t tie anything super tight around the trunk.

So, while I agree that a wide strap can be safer for the tree than a small rope I made this video because: 1. The rope techniques can be used around anything.. not just trees. 2. Many hammocks don't come with straps. 3. Most people don't have and will not buy special straps. 4. Hammock straps can be quite bulky and more difficult to tie, so you also need straps with loops and carabiners. 5. Using a suitable rope correctly on a suitable tree for a suitable time will not damage that tree 6. Using a strap incorrectly, on an unsuitable tree, or for a long time, will also damage that tree. I don’t want to start a comment debate, but this is my insight. Take it or leave it. Be respectful and protect the trees and nature by any means necessary :)

[@folipop6942]

Thank you very much, this tutorial has been very helpful in my case as i am now able to hand a hammock between the two of my trees.

[@BG-il2ym]

Brilliant, I was messing about doing multiple reefknots, I can't believe how easy your solution is, and it makes undoing and adjusting really quick. Thanks 😀

[@hammockgurus6796]

Yeah, I know :) I had the same feeling when I first learned it!

[@SarasotaTim]

The absolute best two knots for hanging a hammock. 😎

[@hammockgurus6796]

Totally, so easy and reliable :)

[@rick6429]

I like the second knot for both sides tied to carabiners so my wife can take it down at night and put it back up the next day. Thanks for the knot.

[@hammockgurus6796]

Yeah, I love how quick they are yet secure :)

[@arjayabarquez7081]

very good its pretty tiet and ive been having fun with it

[@cro3725]

Wow super easy!

[@RJBT93]

Thanks for this

[@MMM-cf4md]

Great video !!

[@hammockgurus6796]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it :)

[@edism235]

Thank you!

[@johntran7232]

Very nice and simple instructions, thanks!

[@hammockgurus6796]

Thanks for the feedback and glad it helped :)

[@vilmosmuller1948]

thanks man your a legend

[@hammockgurus6796]

Glad I could help

[@skywalker3477]

Think you! 🙌

[@hammockgurus6796]

No problem 😊

[@ciriellesanchez9543]

What rope did you use ?

[@mikeboshko2623]

Great video. Thank you!

[@hammockgurus6796]

Glad you liked it!

[@tukangkebon97]

This is good

[@philipdratcliffe9648]

pls help me set up my hammock

[@k00kie7]

What is the knot you did for both ends of the hammock? The black colour rope at both ends of the hammock.

[@hammockgurus6796]

Hi, there are popup links to the knots I used on both ends, and they are short videos in first person view :) You can also see the links in the video description.

[@user-ht8wg5fz1b]

What keeps the rope from sliding down the tree trunk over time/summer? Or is this more for a quick day solution?

[@i.j.p.]

This is for a one time use. Easy to remove and set up quickly.

[@hammockgurus6796]

Friction and tension. I've never had any issues of it sliding.

[@gerhardsteinhofer]

On a tree there shouldn't be Problems. On a Post, which is smoother, you can tie a Prusik knot around the post with a sling. Then you connect the sling and the rope with a becket hitch like you connect the hammock with the rope.

[@Drinkyoghurt]

Just use hammock straps, also saves the tree you're hanging from. Then you can use carabiners and not worry about anything

[@BrandiWL]

Is that same thing as a daisy chain?

[@jarlbalgruufthegreater1758]

That loop on the tree will fall when you release tension

[@MrJonebgood1]

wow i guess dont over think it huh? this guy seems to know thank you

[@Jack42Frost]

You will get single rope counter torque. Not ideal.

[@PunkChef77]

My hammock rope is already connected and already looped on the end. How do I attach it to my porch railing?

[@dickyjohnson]

Hey man. Please use tree straps.

[@dawndenzin1111]

Where does one get tree straps?

[@dickyjohnson]

@@dawndenzin1111 Tree straps for hammocks are easy to find on most of the shopping websites. The reason for that is to protect the tree bark from injuries from the skinny ropes digging into the bark when you are hanging in the hammock. Many parks have banned hammocks because of people using ropes and damaging the trees.

[@hammockgurus6796]

Tree straps can/should be used around trees if possible, I agree. But there are many times/places/instances where rope is all you have. In this case, and if the tree is frail etc. one can put a shirt or towel under the rope to protect the bark.

[@outdoor-buddy]

Dont use rope!

[@hammockgurus6796]

Tree straps can/should be used around trees if possible, I agree. But there are many times/places/instances where rope is all you have. In this case, and if the tree is frail etc. one can put a shirt or towel under the rope to protect the bark.

[@chandra2390]

Why, pls let me know

[@Fit_soldier]

@@chandra2390why

[@dreamsaresharedhere_]

I am learning I am NOT a visual learner

[@hertravelhistory]

😂😂😂

[@ChrisJeffrey117]

This video should be called "How not to hang a hammock". You shouldn't tie a rope directly around a tree because it can damage the tree, and the rope. Use hammock straps / tree straps. It's not even hung the same distance from each tree, meaning weight will be distributed unevenly and more likelihood of failure / uncomfortable. The rope angles should be 30 degrees, to reduce load on the tree and create the ideal conditions for a diagonal flat lay in the hammock. But here they're more like 70 and 50 degrees. Sagging far too low and too steep an angle. Second loop will slide down the tree as he moves about and gets in or out of the hammock. The absolute worst hammock setup.

[@veresdenialex]

Disliked, firstly explain what a 'bowlie knot is' and how to make it

[@hammockgurus6796]

There is a popup card on the top right to my video on bowline knot, and the beckett hitch. Different people use different knots to make a loop, many people use tree straps that already have a loop, so this part of the video varies for different people. But again, there are links to the bowline and other knots during the video. Hope that helps and turns the thumbs down... upside down :)

[@veresdenialex]

@@hammockgurus6796 thanks

[@jmj6594]

Thank you!

[@hammockgurus6796]

You're welcome!