Oak makes a good climbing tree

Oak makes a good climbing tree

Find a big tree that is sturdy and doesn’t look too rotten. Check for fallen branches at the bottom – if there are a lot it means that it is probably not going to hold your weight.

Good trees to climb are:

  • Oak
  • Sycamore
  • Cedar

Start climbing the tree:

Rules of climbing – keep three points of contact at all times. That is, make sure you have two feet and a hand or two hands and a foot on good holds at all times. (This applies to rock climbing too!)

The branches are strongest near the trunk so keep close to the center of the tree.

Test each hold or branch before putting your full weight on it

As you get higher, make sure you don’t climb anything you can’t un-climb, you don’t want to get stuck.

Finally go as high as you feel safe. This is about fun and enjoying the view. Not about being scared.