This topic isn’t as strange as it sounds. There are a lot of camera owners that would like to mount a camera to a tree. Think hunters, wildlife enthusiasts or just for plain surveillance. Mounting a camera to a tree is a good idea for these people.
Camera Mounting Basics
First off, ensure your camera is waterproof! Anything less makes this a bad idea. Jump to the next article!
There are two popular methods for mounting a camera to a tree. The first method is to use one or more straps wrapped around the circumference of the tree. The second is to use a mount with a sharp screw on the end. The second type of mount typically uses a common 1/4″ – 20 threaded screw which is common to a tripod. Most larger hunting cameras will use the strap methodology which is can be specific to a particular brand and model of camera (although there are a few good universal mounts).
The best accessories for mounting a camera to a tree are going to include at least an inch of threaded screw to insert into the tree. It typically takes about ten minutes to get the screw all the way into the tree and you will want to ensure to use all the thread that you possibly can. The deeper the bore, the better the hold on the camera. Og course, you can expedite this by drilling a pilot hole first.
Be sure to select a mount that is going to leave enough width to fit your camera. You want to measure the depth of the camera and compare it to the mount distance from the end of the screw pattern to be sure there’s enough distance to hold your camera.
Recommendations for Mounting a Camera to a Tree
Place your camera as high as possible. There is an unwritten rule that states that a hunter leaves the other hunter’s stuff alone and that’s typically honored but place it as high as possible to avoid potential theft. A second reason to place it high is so that an animal doesn’t mess with it. I remember watching a video from a hunting camera that featured a bear pawing at the camera. Fortunately the camera was a pretty rugged one and only suffered some scratch marks on the protective case.
A popular screw type of camera mount is the Highwind Camera Tree Mount. These will fit virtually any camera that has the industry standard 1/4″ – 20 threaded screw hole on the bottom. This is a longer mount than most so almost any camera will fit except for a camera that is unusually deep.
The HME Camera Mount is another mount that screws onto a tree. Unlike the prior mount, this one is highly adjustable and has an extremely long arm. Any camera with a standard tripod screw hole should fit fine. The depth of the camera is not going to be an issue with this mount.
Possibly the mother of all mounts is the Fourth Arrow Camera Arm for Filming Hunts which is made of high quality aluminum and has a premium black coating. This is rated to hold ten pounds and features 360 degree leveling on any tree. It attaches via a harness to the tree and even includes a bubble level to ensure the video is even. This is the mount that professional photographers use. It’s worth consideration.
The photo that accompanies this article features a GoPro mounted to a tree. Always use the weatherproof case that comes with your GoPro because the absence of one will subject your GoPro camera to the elements and will likely damage your camera. The problem with the weatherproof case from GoPro is that it doesn’t fit the 1/4″ – 20 threaded pattern of the mounts we discussed. Fortunately the GoPro Tripod Adapter will take care of this issue as it converts a common tripod screw into an adapter compatible with the GoPro weatherproof case.