How long would it take a body to decay and the bones to fall to the ground from a tree?












11















Death occurs in extremely high humidity and an average temperature of 23 C (~75 F), both of which continue for six weeks.



At that time, temperature begins to fall over the course of eight weeks to an average of 5 C (~40 F). At the beginning of these weeks humidity decreases sharply, though the air is still quite humid.



The next three months are cold, averaging 0 C (32 F) and with moderate levels of humidity.



This is followed by eight weeks of warming and then a hot, humid summer of two months with temperatures as high as 40 C (~105 F).



A dry season follows for six weeks and then the cycle repeats.



All this time the body is clothed (clothing composed primarily of cotton), open to the environment and can be accessed by insects and scavengers.



In this weather cycle, about how long would it take for the body to be skeletonized?



Also, how long would it take for the bones to separate from each other and fall from the tree assuming it starts securely wedged between two branches?



I don't need exact amounts, just ballpark figures would be useful.










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  • What are the clothes composed of?

    – Arkenstein XII
    9 hours ago











  • Welcome to Worldbuilding, Stephen Burgos! If you have a moment, please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox useful. Here is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!

    – Gryphon
    9 hours ago











  • The cothing is composed primarily of cotton.

    – Stephen
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    You can get something beyond speculation if you can find details of historical gibbiting -- the public display of the bodies of dead criminals. In many cases they were allowed to decay away completely. It took more than a few days.

    – Mark Olson
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    In that case, @StephenBurgos definitely check into gibbeting. That's where people used to be locked into hanging cages until they died and their rotted corpses fell through the bars of the cage.

    – elemtilas
    8 hours ago
















11















Death occurs in extremely high humidity and an average temperature of 23 C (~75 F), both of which continue for six weeks.



At that time, temperature begins to fall over the course of eight weeks to an average of 5 C (~40 F). At the beginning of these weeks humidity decreases sharply, though the air is still quite humid.



The next three months are cold, averaging 0 C (32 F) and with moderate levels of humidity.



This is followed by eight weeks of warming and then a hot, humid summer of two months with temperatures as high as 40 C (~105 F).



A dry season follows for six weeks and then the cycle repeats.



All this time the body is clothed (clothing composed primarily of cotton), open to the environment and can be accessed by insects and scavengers.



In this weather cycle, about how long would it take for the body to be skeletonized?



Also, how long would it take for the bones to separate from each other and fall from the tree assuming it starts securely wedged between two branches?



I don't need exact amounts, just ballpark figures would be useful.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • What are the clothes composed of?

    – Arkenstein XII
    9 hours ago











  • Welcome to Worldbuilding, Stephen Burgos! If you have a moment, please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox useful. Here is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!

    – Gryphon
    9 hours ago











  • The cothing is composed primarily of cotton.

    – Stephen
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    You can get something beyond speculation if you can find details of historical gibbiting -- the public display of the bodies of dead criminals. In many cases they were allowed to decay away completely. It took more than a few days.

    – Mark Olson
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    In that case, @StephenBurgos definitely check into gibbeting. That's where people used to be locked into hanging cages until they died and their rotted corpses fell through the bars of the cage.

    – elemtilas
    8 hours ago














11












11








11








Death occurs in extremely high humidity and an average temperature of 23 C (~75 F), both of which continue for six weeks.



At that time, temperature begins to fall over the course of eight weeks to an average of 5 C (~40 F). At the beginning of these weeks humidity decreases sharply, though the air is still quite humid.



The next three months are cold, averaging 0 C (32 F) and with moderate levels of humidity.



This is followed by eight weeks of warming and then a hot, humid summer of two months with temperatures as high as 40 C (~105 F).



A dry season follows for six weeks and then the cycle repeats.



All this time the body is clothed (clothing composed primarily of cotton), open to the environment and can be accessed by insects and scavengers.



In this weather cycle, about how long would it take for the body to be skeletonized?



Also, how long would it take for the bones to separate from each other and fall from the tree assuming it starts securely wedged between two branches?



I don't need exact amounts, just ballpark figures would be useful.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












Death occurs in extremely high humidity and an average temperature of 23 C (~75 F), both of which continue for six weeks.



At that time, temperature begins to fall over the course of eight weeks to an average of 5 C (~40 F). At the beginning of these weeks humidity decreases sharply, though the air is still quite humid.



The next three months are cold, averaging 0 C (32 F) and with moderate levels of humidity.



This is followed by eight weeks of warming and then a hot, humid summer of two months with temperatures as high as 40 C (~105 F).



A dry season follows for six weeks and then the cycle repeats.



All this time the body is clothed (clothing composed primarily of cotton), open to the environment and can be accessed by insects and scavengers.



In this weather cycle, about how long would it take for the body to be skeletonized?



Also, how long would it take for the bones to separate from each other and fall from the tree assuming it starts securely wedged between two branches?



I don't need exact amounts, just ballpark figures would be useful.







science-based chemistry death skeletons bones






share|improve this question









New contributor




Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









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Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 9 hours ago







Stephen













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asked 9 hours ago









StephenStephen

849




849




New contributor




Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor





Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Stephen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • What are the clothes composed of?

    – Arkenstein XII
    9 hours ago











  • Welcome to Worldbuilding, Stephen Burgos! If you have a moment, please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox useful. Here is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!

    – Gryphon
    9 hours ago











  • The cothing is composed primarily of cotton.

    – Stephen
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    You can get something beyond speculation if you can find details of historical gibbiting -- the public display of the bodies of dead criminals. In many cases they were allowed to decay away completely. It took more than a few days.

    – Mark Olson
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    In that case, @StephenBurgos definitely check into gibbeting. That's where people used to be locked into hanging cages until they died and their rotted corpses fell through the bars of the cage.

    – elemtilas
    8 hours ago



















  • What are the clothes composed of?

    – Arkenstein XII
    9 hours ago











  • Welcome to Worldbuilding, Stephen Burgos! If you have a moment, please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox useful. Here is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!

    – Gryphon
    9 hours ago











  • The cothing is composed primarily of cotton.

    – Stephen
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    You can get something beyond speculation if you can find details of historical gibbiting -- the public display of the bodies of dead criminals. In many cases they were allowed to decay away completely. It took more than a few days.

    – Mark Olson
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    In that case, @StephenBurgos definitely check into gibbeting. That's where people used to be locked into hanging cages until they died and their rotted corpses fell through the bars of the cage.

    – elemtilas
    8 hours ago

















What are the clothes composed of?

– Arkenstein XII
9 hours ago





What are the clothes composed of?

– Arkenstein XII
9 hours ago













Welcome to Worldbuilding, Stephen Burgos! If you have a moment, please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox useful. Here is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!

– Gryphon
9 hours ago





Welcome to Worldbuilding, Stephen Burgos! If you have a moment, please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox useful. Here is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!

– Gryphon
9 hours ago













The cothing is composed primarily of cotton.

– Stephen
9 hours ago





The cothing is composed primarily of cotton.

– Stephen
9 hours ago




1




1





You can get something beyond speculation if you can find details of historical gibbiting -- the public display of the bodies of dead criminals. In many cases they were allowed to decay away completely. It took more than a few days.

– Mark Olson
9 hours ago





You can get something beyond speculation if you can find details of historical gibbiting -- the public display of the bodies of dead criminals. In many cases they were allowed to decay away completely. It took more than a few days.

– Mark Olson
9 hours ago




1




1





In that case, @StephenBurgos definitely check into gibbeting. That's where people used to be locked into hanging cages until they died and their rotted corpses fell through the bars of the cage.

– elemtilas
8 hours ago





In that case, @StephenBurgos definitely check into gibbeting. That's where people used to be locked into hanging cages until they died and their rotted corpses fell through the bars of the cage.

– elemtilas
8 hours ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

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4














Probably not too long. There are a number of variables and it is necessary to know the precise trajectory of those conditions to exactly determine the actual decomposition.




The speed at which decomposition occurs varies greatly. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and the season of death all determine how fast a fresh body will skeletonize or mummify. A basic guide for the effect of environment on decomposition is given as Casper's Law (or Ratio): if all other factors are equal, then, when there is free access of air a body decomposes twice as fast than if immersed in water and eight times faster than if buried in earth. Ultimately, the rate of bacterial decomposition acting on the tissue will depend upon the temperature of the surroundings. Colder temperatures decrease the rate of decomposition while warmer temperatures increase it. A dry body will not decompose efficiently. Moisture helps the growth of microorganisms that decompose the organic matter, but too much moisture could lead to anaerobic conditions slowing down the decomposition process.




At a guesstimate the body will have completed its major decomposition during the initial six weeks of high temperature and humidity. The time for it to be reduced to a skeleton may take longer. A hot humid summer will go a long way to finishing this part of the process.



While the question mentions weather conditions, the role of scavengers and insects will also play a major role, these factors are lightly touched on in the question.



The probable sequence of decomposition would major decomposition during the first six weeks. During the cooling period, decomposition will continue for the eight weeks. The cold three months will slow down decomposition. The eight week warming phase should almost complete the decomposition and once the hot humid summer arrives the body is likely to be reduced to a skeleton. Insects and scavengers will obviously accelerate this process.



In fact, in an environment with high numbers of scavengers and insect infestations this could greatly facilitate the decomposition and result in a skeleton much earlier.



These are very ball park estimates.






share|improve this answer































    13














    It won't last a week.



    You are basically providing an ideal environment for normal decay. It takes less than 7 days for insects (mostly maggots) to basically skeletonize a human body (not counting some stringy bits), with the presence of larger scavengers it is unlikely to last even that long. On a normal tree it is unlikely to still be on the tree within a day or two, scavengers even insects can move a body around a lot, as will bloat and rigor. Without knowing the exact environment and wildlife it is hard to say exactly , but in a warm humid environment bodies do not last long.



    enter image description here






    share|improve this answer

































      8














      You can have it stay up there as long as your story needs it to stay up there.



      People sometimes climb up into trees and kill themselves. I remember reading about one such that winter hikers spotted. The body had been up there for years. I could not find that one again but here are others.




      1. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100499/Melissa-Joy-Dietzel-Decomposing-body-woman-30ft-tree-Sydney-missing-US-tourist.html


      Her body was up in the tree for 2 weeks. It was a populated area and people smelled it.



      2: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11404359.suicide-verdict-for-missing-21-year-old-found-in-tree-at-meyrick-park-golf-club/



      This body was in the tree for three years. In a park!



      3: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/5098610/Skeleton-found-in-tree-29-years-after-suicide.html



      This body was a skeleton, found after 29 years.





      Summary - if you want it to fall out after 3 days, fine. But decomposition is a lot slower up off the ground. Ants, worms and beetles access the body from the ground and a body on the ground will also stay moist which facilitates decomposition. Coyotes, armadillos and the like will not be able to get a body in a tree and depending how deep in the branches it is, vultures might not either. It is those big animals that pull a corpse apart.



      What is left is insects and they will leave the skeleton intact. In your scenario, I suspect fly maggots will eliminate the soft parts while it is summer; that will also eliminate much of the ability of the corpse to hang on to moisture. Once the weather cools the insects die off and then what is left will desiccate in the dry cool winter. The desiccated sinews and muscles will hold the skeleton together and are not very attractive to scavengers. If you need it to stay up there lodged in the branches for decades, that can happen.






      share|improve this answer


























      • the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

        – John
        7 hours ago






      • 1





        @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

        – jmoreno
        7 hours ago











      • It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

        – Baldrickk
        1 hour ago



















      1















      As Sledge remembers: “It was gruesome to see the stages of decay proceed from just killed, to bloated, to maggot-infested rotting, to partially exposed bones — like some biological clock marking the inexorable passage of time.” – artofmanliness.com On the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, Eugene B. Sledge Puts Your First World Problems Into Perspective




      Battle of Peleliu: 15 September – 27 November 1944 (duration: 2 months, 12 days)



      My grandfather was only on Peleliu for two weeks before his half-track broke, and was from there after a stretcher bearer until he was wounded. He had similar anecdotes about 'explosive decomposition'.



      That would bring the duration down to about eight weeks; your temperatures allow for six. I deem it extremely implausible that they would be, a) still in a tree, and b) recognizable.






      share|improve this answer























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        4 Answers
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        4 Answers
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        Probably not too long. There are a number of variables and it is necessary to know the precise trajectory of those conditions to exactly determine the actual decomposition.




        The speed at which decomposition occurs varies greatly. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and the season of death all determine how fast a fresh body will skeletonize or mummify. A basic guide for the effect of environment on decomposition is given as Casper's Law (or Ratio): if all other factors are equal, then, when there is free access of air a body decomposes twice as fast than if immersed in water and eight times faster than if buried in earth. Ultimately, the rate of bacterial decomposition acting on the tissue will depend upon the temperature of the surroundings. Colder temperatures decrease the rate of decomposition while warmer temperatures increase it. A dry body will not decompose efficiently. Moisture helps the growth of microorganisms that decompose the organic matter, but too much moisture could lead to anaerobic conditions slowing down the decomposition process.




        At a guesstimate the body will have completed its major decomposition during the initial six weeks of high temperature and humidity. The time for it to be reduced to a skeleton may take longer. A hot humid summer will go a long way to finishing this part of the process.



        While the question mentions weather conditions, the role of scavengers and insects will also play a major role, these factors are lightly touched on in the question.



        The probable sequence of decomposition would major decomposition during the first six weeks. During the cooling period, decomposition will continue for the eight weeks. The cold three months will slow down decomposition. The eight week warming phase should almost complete the decomposition and once the hot humid summer arrives the body is likely to be reduced to a skeleton. Insects and scavengers will obviously accelerate this process.



        In fact, in an environment with high numbers of scavengers and insect infestations this could greatly facilitate the decomposition and result in a skeleton much earlier.



        These are very ball park estimates.






        share|improve this answer




























          4














          Probably not too long. There are a number of variables and it is necessary to know the precise trajectory of those conditions to exactly determine the actual decomposition.




          The speed at which decomposition occurs varies greatly. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and the season of death all determine how fast a fresh body will skeletonize or mummify. A basic guide for the effect of environment on decomposition is given as Casper's Law (or Ratio): if all other factors are equal, then, when there is free access of air a body decomposes twice as fast than if immersed in water and eight times faster than if buried in earth. Ultimately, the rate of bacterial decomposition acting on the tissue will depend upon the temperature of the surroundings. Colder temperatures decrease the rate of decomposition while warmer temperatures increase it. A dry body will not decompose efficiently. Moisture helps the growth of microorganisms that decompose the organic matter, but too much moisture could lead to anaerobic conditions slowing down the decomposition process.




          At a guesstimate the body will have completed its major decomposition during the initial six weeks of high temperature and humidity. The time for it to be reduced to a skeleton may take longer. A hot humid summer will go a long way to finishing this part of the process.



          While the question mentions weather conditions, the role of scavengers and insects will also play a major role, these factors are lightly touched on in the question.



          The probable sequence of decomposition would major decomposition during the first six weeks. During the cooling period, decomposition will continue for the eight weeks. The cold three months will slow down decomposition. The eight week warming phase should almost complete the decomposition and once the hot humid summer arrives the body is likely to be reduced to a skeleton. Insects and scavengers will obviously accelerate this process.



          In fact, in an environment with high numbers of scavengers and insect infestations this could greatly facilitate the decomposition and result in a skeleton much earlier.



          These are very ball park estimates.






          share|improve this answer


























            4












            4








            4







            Probably not too long. There are a number of variables and it is necessary to know the precise trajectory of those conditions to exactly determine the actual decomposition.




            The speed at which decomposition occurs varies greatly. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and the season of death all determine how fast a fresh body will skeletonize or mummify. A basic guide for the effect of environment on decomposition is given as Casper's Law (or Ratio): if all other factors are equal, then, when there is free access of air a body decomposes twice as fast than if immersed in water and eight times faster than if buried in earth. Ultimately, the rate of bacterial decomposition acting on the tissue will depend upon the temperature of the surroundings. Colder temperatures decrease the rate of decomposition while warmer temperatures increase it. A dry body will not decompose efficiently. Moisture helps the growth of microorganisms that decompose the organic matter, but too much moisture could lead to anaerobic conditions slowing down the decomposition process.




            At a guesstimate the body will have completed its major decomposition during the initial six weeks of high temperature and humidity. The time for it to be reduced to a skeleton may take longer. A hot humid summer will go a long way to finishing this part of the process.



            While the question mentions weather conditions, the role of scavengers and insects will also play a major role, these factors are lightly touched on in the question.



            The probable sequence of decomposition would major decomposition during the first six weeks. During the cooling period, decomposition will continue for the eight weeks. The cold three months will slow down decomposition. The eight week warming phase should almost complete the decomposition and once the hot humid summer arrives the body is likely to be reduced to a skeleton. Insects and scavengers will obviously accelerate this process.



            In fact, in an environment with high numbers of scavengers and insect infestations this could greatly facilitate the decomposition and result in a skeleton much earlier.



            These are very ball park estimates.






            share|improve this answer













            Probably not too long. There are a number of variables and it is necessary to know the precise trajectory of those conditions to exactly determine the actual decomposition.




            The speed at which decomposition occurs varies greatly. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and the season of death all determine how fast a fresh body will skeletonize or mummify. A basic guide for the effect of environment on decomposition is given as Casper's Law (or Ratio): if all other factors are equal, then, when there is free access of air a body decomposes twice as fast than if immersed in water and eight times faster than if buried in earth. Ultimately, the rate of bacterial decomposition acting on the tissue will depend upon the temperature of the surroundings. Colder temperatures decrease the rate of decomposition while warmer temperatures increase it. A dry body will not decompose efficiently. Moisture helps the growth of microorganisms that decompose the organic matter, but too much moisture could lead to anaerobic conditions slowing down the decomposition process.




            At a guesstimate the body will have completed its major decomposition during the initial six weeks of high temperature and humidity. The time for it to be reduced to a skeleton may take longer. A hot humid summer will go a long way to finishing this part of the process.



            While the question mentions weather conditions, the role of scavengers and insects will also play a major role, these factors are lightly touched on in the question.



            The probable sequence of decomposition would major decomposition during the first six weeks. During the cooling period, decomposition will continue for the eight weeks. The cold three months will slow down decomposition. The eight week warming phase should almost complete the decomposition and once the hot humid summer arrives the body is likely to be reduced to a skeleton. Insects and scavengers will obviously accelerate this process.



            In fact, in an environment with high numbers of scavengers and insect infestations this could greatly facilitate the decomposition and result in a skeleton much earlier.



            These are very ball park estimates.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 6 hours ago









            a4androida4android

            32k342125




            32k342125























                13














                It won't last a week.



                You are basically providing an ideal environment for normal decay. It takes less than 7 days for insects (mostly maggots) to basically skeletonize a human body (not counting some stringy bits), with the presence of larger scavengers it is unlikely to last even that long. On a normal tree it is unlikely to still be on the tree within a day or two, scavengers even insects can move a body around a lot, as will bloat and rigor. Without knowing the exact environment and wildlife it is hard to say exactly , but in a warm humid environment bodies do not last long.



                enter image description here






                share|improve this answer






























                  13














                  It won't last a week.



                  You are basically providing an ideal environment for normal decay. It takes less than 7 days for insects (mostly maggots) to basically skeletonize a human body (not counting some stringy bits), with the presence of larger scavengers it is unlikely to last even that long. On a normal tree it is unlikely to still be on the tree within a day or two, scavengers even insects can move a body around a lot, as will bloat and rigor. Without knowing the exact environment and wildlife it is hard to say exactly , but in a warm humid environment bodies do not last long.



                  enter image description here






                  share|improve this answer




























                    13












                    13








                    13







                    It won't last a week.



                    You are basically providing an ideal environment for normal decay. It takes less than 7 days for insects (mostly maggots) to basically skeletonize a human body (not counting some stringy bits), with the presence of larger scavengers it is unlikely to last even that long. On a normal tree it is unlikely to still be on the tree within a day or two, scavengers even insects can move a body around a lot, as will bloat and rigor. Without knowing the exact environment and wildlife it is hard to say exactly , but in a warm humid environment bodies do not last long.



                    enter image description here






                    share|improve this answer















                    It won't last a week.



                    You are basically providing an ideal environment for normal decay. It takes less than 7 days for insects (mostly maggots) to basically skeletonize a human body (not counting some stringy bits), with the presence of larger scavengers it is unlikely to last even that long. On a normal tree it is unlikely to still be on the tree within a day or two, scavengers even insects can move a body around a lot, as will bloat and rigor. Without knowing the exact environment and wildlife it is hard to say exactly , but in a warm humid environment bodies do not last long.



                    enter image description here







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 7 hours ago

























                    answered 9 hours ago









                    JohnJohn

                    31.3k842112




                    31.3k842112























                        8














                        You can have it stay up there as long as your story needs it to stay up there.



                        People sometimes climb up into trees and kill themselves. I remember reading about one such that winter hikers spotted. The body had been up there for years. I could not find that one again but here are others.




                        1. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100499/Melissa-Joy-Dietzel-Decomposing-body-woman-30ft-tree-Sydney-missing-US-tourist.html


                        Her body was up in the tree for 2 weeks. It was a populated area and people smelled it.



                        2: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11404359.suicide-verdict-for-missing-21-year-old-found-in-tree-at-meyrick-park-golf-club/



                        This body was in the tree for three years. In a park!



                        3: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/5098610/Skeleton-found-in-tree-29-years-after-suicide.html



                        This body was a skeleton, found after 29 years.





                        Summary - if you want it to fall out after 3 days, fine. But decomposition is a lot slower up off the ground. Ants, worms and beetles access the body from the ground and a body on the ground will also stay moist which facilitates decomposition. Coyotes, armadillos and the like will not be able to get a body in a tree and depending how deep in the branches it is, vultures might not either. It is those big animals that pull a corpse apart.



                        What is left is insects and they will leave the skeleton intact. In your scenario, I suspect fly maggots will eliminate the soft parts while it is summer; that will also eliminate much of the ability of the corpse to hang on to moisture. Once the weather cools the insects die off and then what is left will desiccate in the dry cool winter. The desiccated sinews and muscles will hold the skeleton together and are not very attractive to scavengers. If you need it to stay up there lodged in the branches for decades, that can happen.






                        share|improve this answer


























                        • the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

                          – John
                          7 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

                          – jmoreno
                          7 hours ago











                        • It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

                          – Baldrickk
                          1 hour ago
















                        8














                        You can have it stay up there as long as your story needs it to stay up there.



                        People sometimes climb up into trees and kill themselves. I remember reading about one such that winter hikers spotted. The body had been up there for years. I could not find that one again but here are others.




                        1. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100499/Melissa-Joy-Dietzel-Decomposing-body-woman-30ft-tree-Sydney-missing-US-tourist.html


                        Her body was up in the tree for 2 weeks. It was a populated area and people smelled it.



                        2: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11404359.suicide-verdict-for-missing-21-year-old-found-in-tree-at-meyrick-park-golf-club/



                        This body was in the tree for three years. In a park!



                        3: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/5098610/Skeleton-found-in-tree-29-years-after-suicide.html



                        This body was a skeleton, found after 29 years.





                        Summary - if you want it to fall out after 3 days, fine. But decomposition is a lot slower up off the ground. Ants, worms and beetles access the body from the ground and a body on the ground will also stay moist which facilitates decomposition. Coyotes, armadillos and the like will not be able to get a body in a tree and depending how deep in the branches it is, vultures might not either. It is those big animals that pull a corpse apart.



                        What is left is insects and they will leave the skeleton intact. In your scenario, I suspect fly maggots will eliminate the soft parts while it is summer; that will also eliminate much of the ability of the corpse to hang on to moisture. Once the weather cools the insects die off and then what is left will desiccate in the dry cool winter. The desiccated sinews and muscles will hold the skeleton together and are not very attractive to scavengers. If you need it to stay up there lodged in the branches for decades, that can happen.






                        share|improve this answer


























                        • the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

                          – John
                          7 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

                          – jmoreno
                          7 hours ago











                        • It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

                          – Baldrickk
                          1 hour ago














                        8












                        8








                        8







                        You can have it stay up there as long as your story needs it to stay up there.



                        People sometimes climb up into trees and kill themselves. I remember reading about one such that winter hikers spotted. The body had been up there for years. I could not find that one again but here are others.




                        1. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100499/Melissa-Joy-Dietzel-Decomposing-body-woman-30ft-tree-Sydney-missing-US-tourist.html


                        Her body was up in the tree for 2 weeks. It was a populated area and people smelled it.



                        2: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11404359.suicide-verdict-for-missing-21-year-old-found-in-tree-at-meyrick-park-golf-club/



                        This body was in the tree for three years. In a park!



                        3: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/5098610/Skeleton-found-in-tree-29-years-after-suicide.html



                        This body was a skeleton, found after 29 years.





                        Summary - if you want it to fall out after 3 days, fine. But decomposition is a lot slower up off the ground. Ants, worms and beetles access the body from the ground and a body on the ground will also stay moist which facilitates decomposition. Coyotes, armadillos and the like will not be able to get a body in a tree and depending how deep in the branches it is, vultures might not either. It is those big animals that pull a corpse apart.



                        What is left is insects and they will leave the skeleton intact. In your scenario, I suspect fly maggots will eliminate the soft parts while it is summer; that will also eliminate much of the ability of the corpse to hang on to moisture. Once the weather cools the insects die off and then what is left will desiccate in the dry cool winter. The desiccated sinews and muscles will hold the skeleton together and are not very attractive to scavengers. If you need it to stay up there lodged in the branches for decades, that can happen.






                        share|improve this answer















                        You can have it stay up there as long as your story needs it to stay up there.



                        People sometimes climb up into trees and kill themselves. I remember reading about one such that winter hikers spotted. The body had been up there for years. I could not find that one again but here are others.




                        1. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100499/Melissa-Joy-Dietzel-Decomposing-body-woman-30ft-tree-Sydney-missing-US-tourist.html


                        Her body was up in the tree for 2 weeks. It was a populated area and people smelled it.



                        2: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11404359.suicide-verdict-for-missing-21-year-old-found-in-tree-at-meyrick-park-golf-club/



                        This body was in the tree for three years. In a park!



                        3: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/5098610/Skeleton-found-in-tree-29-years-after-suicide.html



                        This body was a skeleton, found after 29 years.





                        Summary - if you want it to fall out after 3 days, fine. But decomposition is a lot slower up off the ground. Ants, worms and beetles access the body from the ground and a body on the ground will also stay moist which facilitates decomposition. Coyotes, armadillos and the like will not be able to get a body in a tree and depending how deep in the branches it is, vultures might not either. It is those big animals that pull a corpse apart.



                        What is left is insects and they will leave the skeleton intact. In your scenario, I suspect fly maggots will eliminate the soft parts while it is summer; that will also eliminate much of the ability of the corpse to hang on to moisture. Once the weather cools the insects die off and then what is left will desiccate in the dry cool winter. The desiccated sinews and muscles will hold the skeleton together and are not very attractive to scavengers. If you need it to stay up there lodged in the branches for decades, that can happen.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited 8 hours ago

























                        answered 8 hours ago









                        WillkWillk

                        104k25197438




                        104k25197438













                        • the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

                          – John
                          7 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

                          – jmoreno
                          7 hours ago











                        • It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

                          – Baldrickk
                          1 hour ago



















                        • the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

                          – John
                          7 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

                          – jmoreno
                          7 hours ago











                        • It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

                          – Baldrickk
                          1 hour ago

















                        the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

                        – John
                        7 hours ago





                        the problem is those are all either hot DRY environments or reports from tabloids which are not reliable.

                        – John
                        7 hours ago




                        1




                        1





                        @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

                        – jmoreno
                        7 hours ago





                        @John: from a world building point of view, merely the fact that the stories exist makes are enough evidence that the idea is believable enough for a story.

                        – jmoreno
                        7 hours ago













                        It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

                        – Baldrickk
                        1 hour ago





                        It's interesting that the two longer periods both involved the bodies being tied to the tree - (2) was "Willing self suspension" (He hung himself? or was it just meant that he was up there) and (3) he'd tied himself to the trunk before shooting himself.

                        – Baldrickk
                        1 hour ago











                        1















                        As Sledge remembers: “It was gruesome to see the stages of decay proceed from just killed, to bloated, to maggot-infested rotting, to partially exposed bones — like some biological clock marking the inexorable passage of time.” – artofmanliness.com On the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, Eugene B. Sledge Puts Your First World Problems Into Perspective




                        Battle of Peleliu: 15 September – 27 November 1944 (duration: 2 months, 12 days)



                        My grandfather was only on Peleliu for two weeks before his half-track broke, and was from there after a stretcher bearer until he was wounded. He had similar anecdotes about 'explosive decomposition'.



                        That would bring the duration down to about eight weeks; your temperatures allow for six. I deem it extremely implausible that they would be, a) still in a tree, and b) recognizable.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          1















                          As Sledge remembers: “It was gruesome to see the stages of decay proceed from just killed, to bloated, to maggot-infested rotting, to partially exposed bones — like some biological clock marking the inexorable passage of time.” – artofmanliness.com On the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, Eugene B. Sledge Puts Your First World Problems Into Perspective




                          Battle of Peleliu: 15 September – 27 November 1944 (duration: 2 months, 12 days)



                          My grandfather was only on Peleliu for two weeks before his half-track broke, and was from there after a stretcher bearer until he was wounded. He had similar anecdotes about 'explosive decomposition'.



                          That would bring the duration down to about eight weeks; your temperatures allow for six. I deem it extremely implausible that they would be, a) still in a tree, and b) recognizable.






                          share|improve this answer


























                            1












                            1








                            1








                            As Sledge remembers: “It was gruesome to see the stages of decay proceed from just killed, to bloated, to maggot-infested rotting, to partially exposed bones — like some biological clock marking the inexorable passage of time.” – artofmanliness.com On the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, Eugene B. Sledge Puts Your First World Problems Into Perspective




                            Battle of Peleliu: 15 September – 27 November 1944 (duration: 2 months, 12 days)



                            My grandfather was only on Peleliu for two weeks before his half-track broke, and was from there after a stretcher bearer until he was wounded. He had similar anecdotes about 'explosive decomposition'.



                            That would bring the duration down to about eight weeks; your temperatures allow for six. I deem it extremely implausible that they would be, a) still in a tree, and b) recognizable.






                            share|improve this answer














                            As Sledge remembers: “It was gruesome to see the stages of decay proceed from just killed, to bloated, to maggot-infested rotting, to partially exposed bones — like some biological clock marking the inexorable passage of time.” – artofmanliness.com On the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, Eugene B. Sledge Puts Your First World Problems Into Perspective




                            Battle of Peleliu: 15 September – 27 November 1944 (duration: 2 months, 12 days)



                            My grandfather was only on Peleliu for two weeks before his half-track broke, and was from there after a stretcher bearer until he was wounded. He had similar anecdotes about 'explosive decomposition'.



                            That would bring the duration down to about eight weeks; your temperatures allow for six. I deem it extremely implausible that they would be, a) still in a tree, and b) recognizable.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 4 hours ago









                            MazuraMazura

                            2,215814




                            2,215814






















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