How do you evaluate the stability of a natural anchor such as a tree or boulder before loading it?

• A. Check for movement, cracks, decay, and signs of instability; apply minimal load first, and monitor for slippage or movement.
• B. Immediately apply full load to test strength
• C. Rely on appearance alone
• D. Only test after a fall

Answer: (A)

Before loading a natural anchor, do a careful check for any signs of weakness: see if there’s movement when you apply a gentle nudge, look for cracks, decay, hollow sections, loose bark, or other instability indicators. Then apply a minimal load first and closely monitor for slippage or movement as you increase load gradually. This staged approach lets you detect hidden flaws and prevents a sudden failure under full force. Relying on how it looks is unsafe because a seemingly solid tree or rock can conceal internal damage, and testing only after a fall is too late.