How to use tree roots as a compass | Navigate using nature

Natural Navigator and best selling author Tristan Gooley reveals how you can use tree roots to find your bearings.

Take a moment to pause and take notice of nature's clues found in trees and forests on your next forest adventure.

[imranh]

I like your short, concise style. So many youtubers make long, convoluted videos and try to keep you hanging on as long as possible. Thank you for your wisdom 👍🏼

[trevcam]

Great tip! I know that moss will prefer to grow on the north side of the tree but never knew this and I've got over 40 years of UK hiking experience. Must look out for this and check it with my compass.

[TarnTarn-zvcp]

The first 4 trees I tried this on must have Been outsiders to the rule, but at least a dozen after proved this to be accurate 👍👍. Cant wait to show my sisters kids when we start out trekking sundays again.

[debbiecurtis]

I'm going to buy his books now. He flew solo, and sailed solo across the Atlantic. He knows his stuff.

[WalkWithWallace]

Never knew that, learn something new every day. 😁

[zchuss]

Thank you Tristan....read all your books. Absolutely brilliant read.

[garethwigglesworth]

When deep in a forest like that not a lot of wind gets to the middle of the forest so the roots would be more evenly distributed all around the base of the tree. His method would be more useful if you were on the outskirts of the forest. As long as it had not been deforested recently. Where I live in East Anglia most of the forests are pine with their roots not surfacing like an oaks would. Still, the video is somewhat decent information. But things to remember are above. I work for the forestry commission.

[contessa.adella]

Ok….That’s new to me, gonna check it out👍

[geoffdillon]

South west, south west, south west, south west, south west, south west. Right, got it! Thanks for the tip.

[richardashton]

Same here. Can impress my grand children.

[alienracer]

It would have been more convincing had you confirmed S. West with a compass for this demonstration. Nevertheless good information, thank you. 👽

[mufctimesbitches]

The north east side is always the smoothest too, because of the predominantly south westerly wind. Brilliant for carp fishing, 😎😎😎😎

[timgabby]

Learnt something potentially useful in a minute. Subbed. I also discover that local trees were planted as mature saplings, their root strength already determined, so have a random orientation as planters were unaware of the optimal 'South west' main root orientation - thus maybe slightly more liable to be blown over?

[electricladyguitarsdevonuk]

With the important caveat: that more often on sloping ground broadleaf trees tend to send roots up the incline and conifers down. Not a hard and fast rule, but in over 35yrs of contracting/training in Devon I have found this to be the case.

[Sandra-cjes]

So this technique can only be applied to 🇬🇧?

[paulwhittaker]

Very good tip. Is that only UK or Northern hemisphere or world over

[betcog]

I always thought that If the wind is coming form the south west a larger tree would lean slightly in that direction to keep upright?
Pine trees use props for support and normal deciduous tees use guys?

[tictoc]

A problem if the wind comes from north east

[armondtanz]

"Heading south always seems easier cos its like you be walkin' downhill"

Tree guy from LOTR

[keithtanner]

Apparently, prevailing wind only occurs 27% of the time.