Thread: Just a reminder NOT to set up under trees (pics)

From an LROC trip to Coolah Tops, NSW. Pics courtesy of Terry Boyce who owned the blue Defender.

Originally Posted by p38arover

From an LROC trip to Mt Colah, NSW. Pics courtesy of Terry Boyce who owned the blue Defender.

perhaps Coolah Tops, Ron (I really don't mean to be pedantic)

No, you're absolutely correct, Laurie.

I don't know why I typed Mt Colah - I'd been to Coolah Tops on the previous trip with them.

The first photos reminded me of the girls in NSW who were killed on a school camping trip when the branch fell on their tent.

yes, it's always a tragic business ...........

and not always entirely avoidable either....

I have noticed that in many designated NPWS (or whatever they are called this week) camping areas that I have visited, it can be very difficult to find a site that would be entirely free from the potential of falling trees or branches.

In those Coolah Tops pics, the vehicles parked on the "inside" may have been at less risk of damage due to having vehicles either side (gives additional meaning to the term "supporting vehicles" I guess }.

Terry's Defender was substantially damaged. It needed a lot of work to fix it.

The Defender was the replacement for his Rangie which was hit by a trailer wheel which came off a car in front on the M4 motorway. It hit in the middle of his windscreen (see below).

Luckily neither he nor Rhonda were seriously injured.

We camped over the Christmas holidays and we also camped where no trees were in direct line. Some of the other campsites (they were all empty at the time) had LARGE gum trees with clearly visible large branches that were part way broken of had broken off altogether but were snagged on a branch below it, ready to fall

Yep, they're not called 'widow makers' for nothing! I had a similar experience just recently, while at work, mowing an acreage. Had just finished mowing under some gums and was moving to another section, when a large limb came down. I guess my number wasn't up. I would never have heard it over the noise of the ride on.


cheers

Looking for dead branches is important when setting up a camping hammock as well. Can't stay away from the trees with the hammock, but I can improve my odds by avoiding older trees with dead branches.

Some trees are more likely than others to drop branches too. Douglas Fir trees are probably the biggest culprits here. As the tree grows taller, the new upper branches take over and the lower, older ones die out and eventually drop off. Just don't be in your hammock or a tent below when that happens....