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

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.

posted almost 6 years ago

Stephen‭

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