When a branch snaps off a tree, it might be dead or it might be the weight of all the air plants (epiphytes) growing on it, it isn’t always a certain fact that it will fall to the ground. If, after a violent storm, the top of a tree is damaged then the same again is true, sometimes it doesn’t immediately come crashing down to the forest floor.
The canopy of a rainforest is an amazing criss-cross of vines, lianas, roots from plants growing down to the floor and branches of other trees interlocking with one another. So it isn’t a surprise when branches or entire trees are held aloft by this mixture of vegetation.
The problem is that eventually something will give and a lot of debris can rain down on you from a great height. This can happen at any time but is more likely during the strong winds during a tropical downpour.
If you are having a guided tour or a stroll down a track and the wind picks up and the trees start rustling, then that is a good time to keep your eyes skyward (obviously not neglecting the dangers that are lying on the ground as well). If you are setting up camp in the jungle then it is something that you should have checked before setting up for the night. In a base camp scenario I would strongly recommend walking around the perimeter of the camp looking up and into the jungle for any trees that are dead and could reach your camp if they fell.
Top tip 1. When tying up a hammock make sure the tree you tie to is actually alive. Believe me I’ve seen this with my own eyes. A collapsed tree, a crushed hammock and mosquito net, and an expedition member nearby sleeping on the floor.
Top tip 2. Monkeys are cool to look at and very comical to watch as they sound there alarm calls at the large animals on the floor (you!), but all that jumping up and down, howling and making a commotion also shakes debris loose. I’ve had members of my own group hit due to alarmed howler monkeys.
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