Originally Posted by
nsherry61
As noted above, hammocks can put a tremendous load pulling inward on the posts. I've actually broken and uprooted smaller (6" ish) trees on a couple occasions by pitching my hammock too flat so the inward pull was likely well over a ton. Unless they're set into concrete, I doubt any two posts buried in the ground would hold up to a wide range of hammock users over time. If not set in concrete, I would strongly recommend either a guy cable from the top of the pole to counter the inward pull of the hammock, or run a board or pole between the tops of the two poles to hold the poles apart.
Being a taller guy, I would like to see poles at least 7' tall and 13-14' apart. Eno hammocks may fit between poles spaced at 10', because they are only 9' long. But, Eno hammock are too short of many if not most people to get a good lay in. Many hammocks are 11'. I'd love a 12' hammock and may make one to use in the near future.