It is common practice to go outside and hammock in Whatcom County when the weather is nice. However, hammocks can cause damage to the trees they hang on. National and state parks follow the guidelines of the Leave No Trace policy for hammock restrictions. This policy says to “use straps that are at least 1-1.5 inches wide” and recommends having “straps made of webbing” that “will limit girdling and bark damage.” A larger strap allows for a better distribution of weight and tension on the tree's bark. Story and photo by Zen Hill Read the full story at the link in our bio! [Alt text: Story title: Hammocks can hurt our trees. Straps destroy the bark that protects the living parts of a tree. Photo: A Western student sits in a hammock at the Communications Lawn. While hammocking may be a fun way to relax on campus, it can harm trees if it is not done properly. Story and photo by Zen Hill.]