Ironbear24
Senior Master
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Anyone here do it? I been doing it often lately and I will upload the video here soon after i find some cool 80's music to put to it.
Tree hitting.
- Thread starter Ironbear24
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Nope. There's no give to a tree, so I would either seriously damage my hand/wrist/nerves/bones, or get used to not punching at full (or close to full power). And if I was going to do soemthing like that, I'd punch a makiwara. At least those are made for punching...no reason to hurt a poor ol' tree 
There is no reason to hit a tree. I can get more real benefit from a heavy bag or makiwara.
Besides, trees break too easy. I'd hate to be responsible for deforestation and the resulting increase in the global CO2 level.
Besides, trees break too easy. I'd hate to be responsible for deforestation and the resulting increase in the global CO2 level.
OP
Ironbear24
Senior Master
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If it is bad why was it done back then? I am not arguing I am just curious.
How about this... next time you get sick, open a vein and let yourself bleed out the evil humors.
After all, that was once accepted therapy for many (most?) diseases.
We have better tools available to us. Like antibiotics. And heavy bags. Use them.
oaktree
Master of Arts
I hit trees it's fine if you know the correct way to do it, same as any condition exercises you need a teacher and the right herbal formula or jow
Similar to what DIrty Dog said..it's not bad per se. If you know what you are doing it is good conditioning. But there are less risky ways to get the same results.
Lameman
Green Belt
In my experience the tree always wins. Or at least gets its pound of flesh.
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There are plenty of ways to increase your striking abilities and / or toughen your hands that don't involve destroying a tree, and they're also much less damaging to your hands and feet. Furthermore, repeatedly getting splinters in your skin isn't too good, since quite a few types of wood / bark contain chemical irritants that you probably don't want circulating in your body.
Unless you need lumber or some other wood products, there's no reason to hit a tree. If you did need such products, an axe and chainsaw would be much better.
Unless you need lumber or some other wood products, there's no reason to hit a tree. If you did need such products, an axe and chainsaw would be much better.
Lameman
Green Belt
An axe and a chainsaw? Like to see that trick.
.
I work out on trees from time to time when training Eskrima. I look for one with branches that mimic an opponent's arm wielding a stick at various angles. I pull the block or strike just short of contact. Otherwise you could bruise the living tissue under the bark and damage the tree ...especially some species with thinner bark like Palo Verde.
Check out the Palo Verde in the picture below. Imagine that instead of that nasty cholla on the right, that was me. The branch would be nearly perfect for training "roof blocks", ducking and evading, etc. And unlike boards, very occasionally, trees hit back (at least on windy days)!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8378gcp6YCs/T34caMb1rBI/AAAAAAAAAVM/7YlEM9E6xzA/s1600/walk+001.JPG
Check out the Palo Verde in the picture below. Imagine that instead of that nasty cholla on the right, that was me. The branch would be nearly perfect for training "roof blocks", ducking and evading, etc. And unlike boards, very occasionally, trees hit back (at least on windy days)!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8378gcp6YCs/T34caMb1rBI/AAAAAAAAAVM/7YlEM9E6xzA/s1600/walk+001.JPG
Maybe they were softer bark trees, like banana trees for instance.
RTKDCMB
Senior Master
I hit one with my car once.
RTKDCMB
Senior Master
Back then they had not discovered it was bad yet.
I have seen videos of older Okinawan karate masters performing makiwara type training on large stones and trees, not just purpose-built makiwara boards.
I frankly am not overly interested in that type of training, although we do practice kotekitae to some extent. I don't mean that I don't think the conditioning training on stones or trees is bad, just that it's not something I want to do. I work in IT; I need to have functioning hands for typing on a daily basis. It's tough enough dealing with bruises and the occasional broken toe or rib; I can't allow myself to be put in a position where I can't type; I would lose my job.
I frankly am not overly interested in that type of training, although we do practice kotekitae to some extent. I don't mean that I don't think the conditioning training on stones or trees is bad, just that it's not something I want to do. I work in IT; I need to have functioning hands for typing on a daily basis. It's tough enough dealing with bruises and the occasional broken toe or rib; I can't allow myself to be put in a position where I can't type; I would lose my job.
