Your ability to create a survival shelter in a snap could be the difference between life and death in a real emergency. When you need a shelter fast, you've got to make do with what is around you. Some of the most awesome survival shelters in the world can be made using little more than a few tree branches and a bit of skill.
Imagine you're lost in the wild, alone, and it is getting darker and colder. You need a place to stay at night but you do not have a tent or a hammock. This would be the time for you to make your own survival shelter.
Using the natural resources around you, like tree branches, build a simple, little place where you can sleep or wait until the sun rises again the next day. Read the tips below and learn how to build a survival shelter from tree branches.
How to Use Tree Branches to Build Survival Shelters
Lean-to Survival Shelter
A lean-to survival shelter is a pretty basic design, and it is quite easy to make, even if you do not have a lot of tools in your gear. You can vary your ways when you build this type of shelter, but the basic thing is it is leaning against something and one side is open.
What is great about a lean-to survival shelter is you do not need plenty of sophisticated tools and materials to build it. Also, make a bushcraft fireplace if the cold is too much to bear.
A-frame Survival Shelter
An a-frame survival shelter is basically a double lean-to shelter. You need to use more branches to build it but it is still fairly easy to make. The essential materials to construct this type of shelter are long, pole-like tree branches to use as the ridge. You also need sturdy, forked branches to prop the ridge.
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Teepee Survival Shelter
Building a teepee survival shelter from tree branches is also an option, assuming you have more time in your hands. Find a slim tree trunk, which you can use as the center support; then, create a cone-shaped structure using branches.
If there are no slender trees around, make a stand-alone teepee instead. Just look for three long, sturdy, pole-like branches to use as the foundation. Use thin branches, leaves, or twigs to cover your teepee.
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Basic Tips When Building a Survival Shelter
- Don't build your shelter in a ditch, a ravine, or any other place where rainwater could potentially accumulate. Keep distant from rivers as well.
- Make sure the ground is not damp. If it is, cover the ground with leaves and smooth twigs.
- Remove the sharp edges of the branches to keep yourself from getting injured.
- Don't use rotten or extremely dry branches. Aside from being a fire hazard, they are not exactly sturdy.
- Set up your shelter in a space, which is relatively free from rocks.
- Don't hurt living trees as much as possible.
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Learn how to build a shelter using primitive technology in this video by Fritz Meinecke:
From tree branches to leaves, use just about anything to build a survival shelter. You do not even need fancy tools to build one. As long as you stay resourceful and creative, you can find a way to survive in the wilderness and make things from scratch. In case you are lost in the woods, taking the time to learn how to build one might just keep you alive from the cold and from wild animals lurking around.
Do you have other ideas on how to make a survival shelter from tree branches? Share them with us by writing a comment below!
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in May 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
this sucks
it would be nice to have dirt like this clip has, along you a young patch of woods. Must be more like ohio,In or Illinois area.
I live in an area that is 90% rocks hard as hell to dig.
If anyone thinks they will be able to construct any of these shelters in just a few hours with a belt knife and/or hatchet, you are kidding yourself!
Go out in the woods where ever you live and TRY it before you imagine it will be easy.
Be sure to take along some kind of cordage, you will be glad you did. I keep a small box of nails in the bag, too. Use the back of your belt axe for a hammer. Using things like para cord and nails will save you uncounted time and energy.
Go out and actually DO this before you have to do it to stay alive.
Been there, done that, got the scars.
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive process and our whole community will probably be thankful to
you.
Practice, and knowledge (The more you know, the less you need…) is the key to survival…Just go try these as a fun project..do NOT wait until it’s a real life scenario…Take the lil extras( which should be in your day hike bag) cordage, tape, small nail, ect ect …Be like mikey…”Try it! you’ll like it…