How to Hang a Hammock Without Trees
If you’ve ever watched a Tom & Jerry short from the 1950s, you probably know what a hammock is. They’re somewhat emblematic of an easy-going lifestyle - comfortable, easy, and simple in design.
You would normally find a hammock pitched between two trees, swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. Simply beholding this sight is enough to make you feel just a little more at ease. You can almost imagine yourself in the hammock, rocking gently from side to side. At this point, you may wish that you had two trees and a hammock of your own to hang between them.
Luckily for you, if you’re short on trees, there are still a few ways to hang your hammock. Not to worry - soon you’ll be perched on the comfiest of canvasses. All you need to do is read on to find out how you can hang your hammock if you are in a location that has no trees.
What You Need to Know About Trees and Hammock-Perching
The misconception about hammock-perching is that it requires two trees spaced evenly apart to work. And while that does make for a very picturesque, “back of a postcard” sight, it isn’t the only way to get your hammock up and swinging.
Every hammock needs two strong support beams. Trees are a naturally occurring form of this, but they certainly aren’t the only things you can use.
A set of support beams can be anything, and once you know that, the possibilities suddenly seem endless. With that in mind, let’s go over some of the best ways to hang your hammock without any trees.
Method One: Posts In Concrete
This first method seems very industrial. Granted, it’s going to require some elbow grease on your part, but it’s worth it.
To start, you’re going to need two 5-inch by 5-inch fence posts and some ready-to-mix concrete. The length of these posts is up to you, as long as they can keep your hammock off the ground, of course. These are going to be set in concrete and will effectively emulate the absent trees.
Once you’ve got your posts, you’re going to need to dig some holes. This is where your posts will go, so you need to dig the holes far enough apart to accommodate the length of your hammock and then some. If you’re having trouble finding a suitable space for them, you can use a measurement of about 18 feet, which should be more than enough space.
Now, dig the holes to be about 13 inches wide and deep. You will use 4 inches of this for the gravel, which will be placed at the bottom of the holes. Do not overlook this step, as adding gravel is essential in helping with water drainage.
Once the holes have been dug and suitably filled with gravel, stick your posts in them and fill the remaining space with concrete. (Make sure to follow the directions of your ready-to-mix concrete properly, and be careful not to spill any of it).
All you need to do now is wait for the concrete to be cured, and then you can hang your hammock up. Sure, this isn’t the easiest method, but we consider this to be the best form of treeless hammock suspension.
Method Two: Hammock Frames
This next method of hammock-hanging is for the people who read the last method and felt too intimidated by the amount of work required. We’re here for you guys, and that’s why our next method requires very little elbow grease. That being said, though, it’s going to require a few extra bucks.
The lack of trees in some areas has led to the production of hammock frames, which are designed to be easy to set up and use. Naturally, these are going to cost you a bit more, but it may be worth it.
Hammock frames usually come in metallic and wooden variations, and both are strong enough to be able to keep your hammock up and swaying. Generally, hammock frames use two supporting rails that lie parallel to the ground. The ends of these rails curl up and stretch to a height that is just tall enough to accommodate a hammock. There may be other features, as well, such as pulleys and eye bolts, which aid in tying off the ends of the hammock.
Most of these hammock frames are designed to be portable, so you can bring them along to your favorite camping spot. Keep in mind, though, that some hammock frames can only accommodate a rectangular-shaped hammock, so make sure that the frame you buy is suitable for the hammock you own.
Method Three: Porch Posts
This last method lies somewhere in between the previous two. You won’t be sweating as much as you would with the first method, but you also won’t be spending as much as with the second. You will need a porch and some posts, though.
You can hang your hammock securely between two porch posts, as long as the distance between these posts is not more than 18 feet. You can tie your hammock up with any of the usual methods, such as sturdy knots and eye bolts, or you can use braided nylon straps with hooks at their ends to keep your hammock up.
Regardless of how you get it up, make sure that the posts do not have any railings in between them. If you should fall, you could seriously injure yourself. If your posts do have railings between them, hang your hammock between two posts that have a corner in between them.
Conclusion
And there you have it - three quick, simple, and easy ways that answer the question of how to hang a hammock without trees. You don’t need to let your lack of trees stop you from living the hammock life. Hopefully, this article has given you some inspiration for stringing your hammock up. If not, you can always plant some trees and wait for them to grow. Happy hammocking - we hope your experience is relaxing!