I have seen a lot of pictures of hammocks and see that about half of us are not using tree straps. When a plain rope is used it compresses the bark where the rope is injuring area preventing nutrients from traveling inside the tree. This will kill the tree. There are a lot of parks that have already banned hammocks because they are killing the trees. I would hate to have a hammock ban in the BWCA. We all need to get nylon or polyester tree straps to wrap around the trees then attach the suspension to the straps with a marlin spike.

Agreed, and I am guilty. The HH supplied straps are most often not the correct length, and I am in the process of designing a better, adjustable option. The supplied HH straps want to slip on trees of certain diameters.

Totally agree with this thread. I used the nylon web straps from some tie downs with cheap mechanisms. I think mine are each 10 footers, but they come in lengths, are cheap and provide a nice hook/loop for making adjustments. Guilty of rope for the tarp, but will use webbing in the future.

I purchased a set of the 72" tree Hugger straps when I bought my HH. Using a combination of the original and the extra ones it gives me enough strap length for just about any trees I have come across so far.

...yes please use some type of straps! I have seen people using a chain around a tree before in a park, not a good thing for the tree.

I am also guilty of using rope. I had no idea that it would damage trees until I went to a sleeping hammock. The ones they sell for a quick nap uses ropes. I have been using a tree huggers polyester straps for four years now.

Can't agree enough. I have a lot of customers ask me if the straps are necessary. "Oh, my son is only 150, that can't possible hurt the tree..." And I have to emphatically tell them, Yes! Use straps! The inner bark of trees is more fragile than you might think.

There are a couple of guys that I know who are VENDORS of hammock equipment who are such gram weenies they won't carry them. I find this frustrating that they are being poor examples. We have to be good stewards to the woods if we want to enjoy them.

quote Lymphocytosis: " We have to be good stewards to the woods if we want to enjoy them."

Agreed. I think the vendors could do a little better job as well. For a small price they could sell all hammocks with straps instead of rope.

I switched out my eno rope to whoopies after an afternoon of using the crap straps. My War Bonnet Black Bird came with cinch buckles and straps. I also need to start carrying an extra strap for the inevitable failure.

quote RainGearRight: "

quote Lymphocytosis: " We have to be good stewards to the woods if we want to enjoy them."

Agreed. I think the vendors could do a little better job as well. For a small price they could sell all hammocks with straps instead of rope.


I switched out my eno rope to whoopies after an afternoon of using the crap straps. My War Bonnet Black Bird came with cinch buckles and straps. I also need to start carrying an extra strap for the inevitable failure."

I have the WBBB too and those straps are SOOO nice. I don't know why anyone would prefer ropes to the straps. I can literally have the hammock hanging in less than 30 seconds and adjusted in not much more time than that.

i just redid my hh exployer with whoopies and new straps from same co.
i will carry both the hh straps and whoopie straps this may. never know what tree setup you will encounter.

Thanks for posting this, Savage. Straps are important.

I've always used the straps. Mine are polyester webbing I got from Ed spear. Less stretch than nylon if they get wet.

Another thing I just thought of was that I bought tree straps that were 10 feet long each. This way I can reach out to trees that are a little farther apart. No problem with doing this because I have a structural ridgeline that helps keep the same hang or lay no mater how far the trees are spaced apart. If I had shorter tree straps and farther apart trees I might be tempted to use a piece of rope.

My straps are 8ft and I only use the straps around the tree. I tie a marline spike hitch in the strap and use cord from there to the hammock. I have enough cord for anything approaching a reasonable hang.

I have two pair of straps and typically bring the extras. I've never needed them for range but I've actually had to string two of them together to get around a tree.

I'm guilty too. When solo with my HH Exped I always use the straps. Last year I was tent camping and used a cheap hammock just to lounge. When I noticed the damage on a little cedar, it was too late.

Just made my new straps today. About 5" longer than the originals, with loops @ 7" intervals. Now I won't have so many issues where the strap will go 1.5 times around the tree and then end there. They cost me nothing.