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Hanging A Hammock From A Tree? Make Sure The Tree Is Sound and Strong

March 21st, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

We all know and love the idyllic image of hanging a hammock from a pair of stout trees. That shade-dappled haven calls us like a siren to come and hang out for a while. But even if your hammock’s been hanging from that tree like forever, you must check the tree every year for soundness and stability. Tragically that lesson was brought home in Bromfield MA this week when a mother and 15-year-old daughter were critically injured in a freak backyard accident. The pair were resting in a hammock suspended between trees after doing yardwork. Unknown to them, a 24-inch diameter tree supporting the hammock had rotted over the winter. It fell, pinning them underneath it. The daughter later died from her injuries. The mother is expected to survive. It’s very sad that such a wonderful day spent outdoors together should end so horribly.

The harsh winter has taken a toll on many trees. Here in Georgia the ongoing drought has severely weakened many trees and they can fall in an instant. I’ve got a few on my property (quite smaller than the one in the story) that I’ve literally pushed over with a good shove.

Before you suspend that beautiful hammock from any tree or get into a hammock that’s been hanging from a tree for many seasons, check that tree thoroughly for soundness and stability. Give it a good healthy shove or two. If in doubt, call an arborist to check your trees’ health. Better safe than badly injured or worse. Don’t forget to check the ropes or hammock hanging straps for any signs of decay or wear, and replace them if they’re worn. It’s generally recommended that a tree be at least six to seven inches in diameter to hang a hammock, and that it be a hardwood tree like oak or maple. Check out our previous post for more hammock hanging tips here. Please, before you take that first hammock siesta of the year, check the tree supporting your hammock. Your health and life may indeed hang on it.

Tragedy Claims Bromfield Freshman - via Nashoba Publishing Online 

Steel Hammock Post Is Removable for Easy Yard Maintenance

December 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

This steel hammock post by Algoma elegantly solves your hammock hanging problems. For starters, no more worries about where to hang your hammock. If you don’t have two suitable trees in your yard - or any suitable trees, for that matter - you can still hang a hammock wherever you like by installing one or two of these metal hammock posts. Secondly, it’s removable, meaning that you can neatly mow and maintain your lawn around the hammock post without having to resort to the string trimmer (which lashing might mar the forest green powdercoat finish). The green color is designed to blend into your yard. Sturdy 11-gauge metal is rated to hold 325 pounds and is weather-resistant.

The steel ground post has a “ground tube” or sleeve which goes into the ground to support the hammock post. You’ll dig a hole about 24 to 27 inches in depth. The ground tube is secured in this hole by backfilling cement around it. Detailed installation instructions and handy tips are included with the hammock steel post kit along with s-hooks and a post cap that can be used on the post, or to cap the ground tube when the hammock post is not in use. Note that the steel hammock post is suitable for stretcher bar hammocks only. The posts are not tall enough to hang a non-stretcher bar hammock.

Even if the ground is frozen solid where you live, take advantage of cheap off-season pricing and gift yourself or a friend with one or two of these. It won’t be winter forever…. You’re welcome! Check out this steel hammock post today.

Tips for Hanging Hammocks

January 15th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Hanging hammocks is easy. Really. It’s finding exactly the right spot to hang ‘em that’s hard.

First, determine where you ideally want to hang your hammock. This could be your deck or patio, under sturdy trees, your family or entertainment room, near your pool, on the porch; even your bedroom. Hey, folks have used hammocks as beds for sleeping for centuries – why not the bedroom?

If you plan to use your hammock mostly outdoors, look for a weather resistant hammock. Quick dry hammocks and DuraCord hammocks are great for outdoors.

How High Should I Hang the Hammock?

When hanging hammocks, the type of hammock you have will dictate how high it must be hung and what type of hammock stand to use. Hammocks with spreader bars (wooden bars attached at each end of the hammock) are generally hung 4 – 5 feet from the ground; non-spreader bar (think Mayan, Brazilian, Nicaraguan-style) hammocks are hung at 6 – 7 feet from the ground. Hammocks without spreader bars naturally hang with a bow or “dip” in the middle; and we don’t want our backsides dragging the ground while relaxing, do we? A manufactured hammock stand for a spreader bar hammock is different than one for non-spreader bar types as the attachment points are positioned much higher for non-spreader bar hammocks. If you’re not using a stand for hanging hammocks, final hanging heights can vary depending on the distance between your chosen supports, the length of the hammock and your personal preferences.

For hanging hammocks, a space measuring 14 to 17 feet in length is usually good. The distance between your two anchor points should generally be about one foot longer than the length of the hammock. For instance, if you’re hanging a 15 foot hammock, you want 16 feet between the anchors. Of course if the hammock’s longer you may be able to adjust a bit with chain lengths. Your anchors could be two trees, or two concrete-set posts if outdoors. Indoors, it could must be sturdy wall studs or ceiling joists. Use a stud finder (handy gadget found in hardware/home improvement stores) to locate these in your walls and/or ceiling. You’ll screw a relatively large eye bolt into the center of each stud or joist where you want to tie the hammock’s ends. Or you could use a hammock stand indoors or out. You’ll need a fair abount of space indoors to hang the hammock and allow room for getting in and out.  If indoor space is limited, you might think about hanging a hammock chair instead.

Tips for Hanging Hammocks Outdoors

If you use trees for hanging hammocks, be sure that they are indeed strong enough to bear the weight of both the hammock and the person(s) who will be lounging. It’s generally recommended that the tree be at least six to seven inches in diameter, and that it be a hardwood tree like oak or maple. If you want to hang the hammock outdoors and don’t have two trees of the requisite diameter spaced just right, use a weather-resistant hardwood post or posts, 4 x 4, buried at least three feet in the ground. So allow for the length of the post to be buried underground, plus your ideal hammock hanging height and some spare inches, to determine the total length of the post(s) you need. Posts should have no splits, cracks or rotted areas. Dig your hole, place in the post and pour cement around the post in the hole to fill. Let the cement cure for at least three days before hanging your hammock; more if it’s humid. Or, just buy a nice weather resistant hammock stand and place it under your favorite tree, no trouble. Yes, I’m lazy and while I have gone the post route for hanging hammocks outside, I personally prefer stands. YMMV.

Post-mounted hammocks can use the hook and chain hanging method. Use strong eyehooks in the posts and then use chain lengths and S-hooks to stretch the hammock between. For trees, consider using sturdy rope or hammock tree straps for hanging hammocks and avoid drilling holes in the trees. hammock tree straps are made of heavy-duty weather resistant material with a spring link at the end. Once wrapped securely around your tree the link is where you attach the hammock.

Your hammock may come packaged with a hanging mechanism. You can also buy hammock hanging kits with all the necessary chains, hooks, tree straps or rope as you desire. Make sure that the system you choose is rated to hold the weight of the folk you anticipate using the hammock. Also, do not over tighten the hanging system as this will create unnecessary stress that can weaken or damage your hangers. If your hammock is made of natural materials such as cotton, it is natural for it to stretch. Readjust and tighten the hangers as this occurs to take up unwanted slack.

Hope these tips for hanging hammocks help you to thoroughly enjoy your summer.

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