- #31
franznietzsche
- 1,503
- 6
wasteofo2 said:
Only the running on the freeway
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the extreme sport known as tree bending, particularly its practice in New England. Participants share personal experiences, insights into the activity, and varying opinions on its safety and classification as a sport.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants describe tree bending as an extreme sport involving climbing and jumping from trees, with varying techniques and experiences shared.
- One participant recounts a personal experience of climbing a 20-foot pine tree, resulting in a fall when the tree snapped, but they emerged mostly uninjured.
- Another participant mentions a friend who broke a leg while attempting tree bending, leading to significant consequences in their life.
- Some participants express skepticism about tree bending being classified as an extreme sport, comparing it to other dangerous activities.
- There are differing opinions on the best types of trees for bending, with birch and maple mentioned, and one participant describes a specific flexible tree found in New Jersey.
- Several participants reflect on their childhood experiences with tree bending, indicating it was a common activity among peers.
- One participant notes that many people they spoke to about tree bending seemed unaware of the activity, suggesting it may not be widely recognized.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally share personal anecdotes about tree bending, but there is no consensus on its classification as an extreme sport or the safety of the activity. Multiple competing views exist regarding the best trees for bending and the risks involved.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty about the safety of tree bending and its classification, with some suggesting it may depend on the specific tree species or conditions. There are also unresolved questions about the cultural recognition of the sport.
Only the running on the freeway
- #32
the number 42
- 129
- 0
Call me impressionable, but all this talk has tweaked my curiosity & I now have a strange urge to go out and do some tree bending.
THANKS GUYS! HOPE YOU CAN MAKE THE HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS!
(Its about now that Ivan comes in with a PF disclaimer...)
THANKS GUYS! HOPE YOU CAN MAKE THE HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS!
(Its about now that Ivan comes in with a PF disclaimer...)
- #33
Chi Meson
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 1,890
- 11
I tried it once after we read that Frost poem my junior year in high school. We didn't have any decent birches so I tried Hemlock (the only other option was one of the huge hickory trees--think baseball bat). I got as far as getting a good back and forth swing going. That was fun, then the top of the tree snapped off. I have no idea why I did not get hurt as I crashed through the lower branches. Lots of fun but I never tried it again. I was suspicious after that if Frost made the whole thing up.
- #34
mickeyt
Thanks for all your stories etc. They will help me this week as I introduce a lot of kids to the thrills and spills of treebending. Hopefully I can get some photos up... That would take a lot out of explaining what it is exactly!
- #35
Miles
- 6
- 0
I found a video of it for you guys. Go to http://www.stupidvideos.com/ and click on the search bar in the grey area to the left. Type in Tree in the search area and click on the Tree Elevator video. Sorry the site won't let me direct link to that video. You can also increase the size and resolution of the video in the options below the video screen. Enjoy 
Last edited:
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