60. A tree, whether fresh or dried out, may not be used for any purpose on Shabbos (1), even if one does not cause it to move in the process (to cause any movement, even without making use of the tree, would be forbidden due to the prohibition of "Muktza"). One may not climb up it or hang from it. It is forbidden to place any article on it, to take an article from it, to tie an animal to it, or use it for any similar activity. Similarly, it is forbidden to make use of anything which is viewed as an appendage of a tree ("Tzidedei Ha'eelan"). Accordingly, if a basket is suspended from a tree, it is forbidden to take anything from it or place anything in it, because the basket would be considered an appendage of the tree. If, however, the basket is hanging from a peg that is affixed to the tree, it is permitted to take items from it or place them in it, because the basket is not directly hanging on the tree itself, and is therefore considered an "appendage of an appendage." In such an instance, however, the basket itself may not be removed from or hung on the peg, because doing so makes use of the peg, which is an appendage of the tree.

FOOTNOTES:

(1) One of the 39 Avos Melachos (prototype prohibited activity - see Halacha Yomi 80:15, note (1)) is "Harvesting" ("Kotzer"). Detaching ("Tolesh") anything from its original place of growth is prohibited as a derivative (toladah) of "Harvesting." The Rabbis prohibited making use of a tree in order to protect people from the possibility of inadvertently detaching something from it. The prohibition even includes making use of visible roots which are at least 3 tefachim (approximately 30cm) above the ground.

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