How to Tie Knots for Tree Work

The Cornell Tree Climbing Institute teaches tree climbing techniques for education, recreation and research purposes. Part of the program is teaching people how to tie proper knots that will hold their weight while in the tree. These skills, while not difficult to learn, make a world of difference in safety. People who do tree work must know a variety of knots for different trees and climbing situations. This article discusses three basic knot types used in many climbing situations.

2 lengths of rope

2 lengths of nylon strap

Lay one piece of rope out on the ground or a flat surface. Orient the rope so that it runs perpendicular to you. This rope is referred to as the lanyard.

Pass one end of a second rope underneath the lanyard to form a cross. Wrap this rope around the lanyard four times to form coils. Use enough to leave 8 inches of the rope free after the coils are complete.

Loop the rope around and pass it through the middle of the last two coils.

Pull the end of the rope out through the gap between the second and third coils.

Tie the end of the rope into a "stopper" knot. This is the standard knot formed by twisting the rope into a loop and passing the end through the loop and pulling it tight. The "stopper" knot prevents the rope from sliding back through the coils. The Blake's Hitch may be used for a safety line that attaches the climber to the main anchor line in the crotch of a tree.

Fold one length of rope in two to form a loop with two parallel sides.

Fold the loop down toward the open end on a 45 degree angle. This forms a second loop. Use your thumb and forefinger to hold the second loop in place.

Pass the first loop under the open ends of the rope. The first loop will wrap around the rope and point toward you.

Pass the first loop through the second loop. Pull the first loop and the end of the rope in opposite directions to tighten the figure 8 into a knot. This knot is used for temporary anchors in tree climbing.

Tie a loose overhand knot in a nylon strap. The overhand is tied with the traditional method of creating a loop and passing one end of nylon through the loop. Leave at least 2 inches of nylon as a tail and do not tighten the knot.

Pass one end of another piece of nylon through the outside, or the side farthest away from you, of the overhand knot in the first strap.

Pull the second piece of nylon through and wrap it around the overhand knot in the first strap until the free end is behind the knot.

Pass the free end of the second strap through the inside, or the side closest to you, of the overhand knot in the first strap. Use enough of each strap to leave at least 2 inches of tail protruding from both ends of the knot.

Grip both tails and straps and pull in opposite directions to tighten the knot. The water knot is effective for connecting two sets of nylon webbing or other straps when climbing trees.