How to Climb a Coconut Tree

If you ever end up marooned on a tropical island, climbing a coconut tree is a skill that you're going to need. All right, that scenario isn't too likely. However, whether you need to know how to climb a coconut tree for survival or just to snag a special sweet treat, the exercise alone can be valuable.

Instructions

1. Place one hand around the side of the truck of the tree opposite of you.

2. Press your other hand on the truck of the tree in front of your chest. Apply pressure on each side of the trunk to help you stay in place when you are climbing.

3. Put your feet on each side of the trunk of the tree with your knees bent. The bottoms of your feet will be facing each other with the trunk of the coconut tree in between them.

4. Stay on the tree by gripping the tree with your arms, holding most of your weight on your feet.

5. Move upwards by holding tightly to the tree with your arms and moving both your feet upwards on the trunk of the tree. You are basically hopping up the tree.

6. Hold yourself at the top of the tree by keeping your feet stationary and using the arm on the opposite side of the tree to balance yourself. Use your free hand to twist the coconuts free and drop them to the ground.

7. Go back down the coconut tree by moving your hands down the trunk of the tree and allowing your feet to slide downward still holding most of your weight.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a rope or piece of cloth to wrap around the trunk of the coconut tree and have each end in your hands to hold yourself in place. This technique will increase your hold on the trunk of the tree and make climbing easier.

• Always exercise care when climbing anything that can be dangerous. Many coconut trees grow to large heights and a fall from these can cause serious damage.