You’ll Never Guess What These Do

You’re in your backyard, with a cold drink in hand, envisioning a nap in a hammock. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and you’re ready to kick back. One catch — you have only one tree. If you’re wondering how to solve this problem, a one-tree hammock stand could be the perfect solution.

That was me last summer.

I could have plopped into a lawn chair and left it at that. But I’m stubborn. And nostalgic. So, when I spotted an odd wooden “X” lashed to a tree on the internet — a one-tree hammock stand — I needed to give it a go!

What exactly is a one-tree hammock stand?

The first image I saw resembled a massive wooden X, looking like a one-tree hammock stand. Boards, pulleys and a thousand questions. Then someone shared another picture that had a hammock hanging from one of the monoliths. It clicked.

It’s a do-it-yourself frame that allows you to hang a hammock from a single tree. Two long boards intersect in a letter X, anchored and braced so it won’t tip over or snap under the weight. Functional. Weirdly elegant.

Why not just buy a stand?

The ones at the store are expensive and bulky, unlike the simplicity of a one-tree hammock stand. I wanted it to be very simple, something I could build myself. A project with purpose.

So I found some 2×6 boards, some bolts and some rope. No design plans, only a blurry concept and a drill.

It did better than expected.

It took a little trial and error, but the stand took shape perfectly for a one-tree hammock. I hitched it to the tree, unfurled the hammock, and plopped down. It held. No crashes. No creaks. Nothing but a perfectly suspended nap zone.

Building it felt right.

There’s a satisfaction in making something of your own. It brought me back to summers building tree forts and strange backyard inventions out of whatever we could scavenge. It’s a spirit that remains in pint-size weekend projects like this one.

There was more to the one-tree hammock stand than a nap in the shade. It ended up serving as a reminder of what I can accomplish when I get out of my own head and do it.

Got one tree? Build the stand.

It does not have to be perfect. Mine isn’t. But it’s working, it’s solid, and it’s making the backyard feel like something from home. And, people always want to know what it is.

So, yeah — get some wood and a rope and that one good tree. You’ll be swinging in like no time with your own one-tree hammock stand.