Tree safety concerns due to drought.

[Txjourneyman]

I just wanted to ask y'all to be particularly careful out there hanging stands this year. I have seen some stories on the news lately of trees coming down due to the drought and dried out root balls. I have had a large limb fail to hold up a 30 gal barrel with 100 lbs of corn. Any other time that limb would have been fine. Trees are stressed due to the lack of water.
If you head out to hang a stand be careful and pay close attention to the condition of the tree.

[TexasHuntinGirl]

Thanks for the heads up!! Usually count on a big tree to hold ya up.....

[Sackett]

Very good advice. Thanks for bringing this up!

[2050z]

Great post. I am checking my ladder stand Saturday. I might have to hunt from a ground blind this season.

[Goldeneagle]

Great post. I am checking my ladder stand Saturday. I might have to hunt from a ground blind this season.

Be carefull Timm.

[Stoof]

We could take a lesson from Arborists on this.
Look up: watch for dead limbs and rotten spots. fungus and conks(shelf mushrooms). Vertical and horizontal cracks in the trunk. Hollow spots and areas that look like they are seeping liquid.
Look down: fungus growing at the base of a tree means root rot. Shelf mushrooms on the trunk means internal rot. Hit the trunk with a mallet or a rock. It will sound funny if it is hollow. As you climb take a look at the ground around the base. You will often see heaving a foot or two out from the base if the root system is bad.
As a seasoned tree climber I do this inspection before I ever ascend a tree.
Be careful out there!

[mgbuff]

also be carefull of what kind of tree it is cause that first good rain could soften the ground enough for the roots to pull out

[Live2Hunt]

Our ranch in Oklahoma has many dead or dying trees. Its a shame to see it, some of these oaks are hundreds of years old.

[Centex_bowhunte]

Will do thanks for the heads up

[Booger74]

Tons of large oaks, cedars, just about all type of trees splitting at our place. I have one Ladder stand on a large oak. I am worried about wearing the Hunters Safety System. If the tree does something like split and fall it will take you with it. I will still wear it, but be very alert to any cracking sounds. RAIN PLEASE LORD!

[M16]

be very careful about hanging feeders from limbs. A guy I hunted with was doing this and got killed. The limb and feeder came down and broke his neck.

[Txjourneyman]

up once for safety's sake.

[Dusty Britches]

Good advice, there! Perfectly good looking trees are falling in the slightest winds around my place.

[Hot4huntin]

Excellent post!! Thanks for the safety reminder!