HOW TO TIE ARBORIST KNOTS
There are a variety of knots which are commonly used in arboriculture and each knot can be tied in a variety of ways. In these video series we show some of the ways each knot can be tied and explain some of the uses and advantages or limitations of each knot. If you'd like more context on how each knot is used in application check out the knots in climbing or the knots in rigging pages.
The Bowline
- Advantages: Forms a secure, non-jamming loop; easy to untie after loading.
- Limitations: Can loosen under cyclic loads.
- Applications: Anchoring climbing lines to trees or hardware; tying off a load for hoisting.
The Running Bowline
- Advantages: Slipknot that cinches securely. Can be tied from the ground or at distance e.g. to set a top anchor.
- Limitations: Once it is sent running up the line it is not retrievable.
- Applications: Choking a line around a branch during rigging or used for setting a top anchor point in SRS
Long Tail Running Bowline
- Advantages: Makes a running bowline retrievable.
- Limitations: Both legs (tail and working line) need to be isolated with no obstruction.
- Applications: As a retrievable top anchor in SRS or on a spar pole for easier decent and retrieval when chogging down.
Bowline on a Bite
- Advantages: Creates two secure loops; useful when extra strength is needed.
- Limitations: Bulky and slower to tie.
- Applications: Securing climbing hardware, creating multiple attachment points or pulling heavy loads
Figure 8
- Advantages: Simple, reliable, and strong; easy to inspect for safety.
- Limitations: Uses more rope and can be hard to untie after heavy loading.
- Applications: Fixed anchors for climbing systems or redirects in rigging.
Inline Figure 8
- Advantages: Maintains high tensile strength and resists slipping under load. Easy to inspect for proper tying.
- Limitations: Bulkier than some alternatives, difficult to adjust once tied and requires more rope compared to simpler mid-line knots
- Applications: Creating mid-line anchor points for hardware and directional forces. Isolating damaged sections of rope.
Alpine Butterfly
- Advantages: Strong, stable loop in the middle of a rope; handles multi-directional loads.
- Limitations: More complex to tie than other knots.
- Applications: Mid-line anchoring for redirects in rigging or creating mid-line attachment points.
Alpine Butterfly Adding Hardware
- Advantages: The hardware allows for additional rope to be used in the system e.g. in 3:1 mechanical advantage.
- Limitations: Requires slack in the line to be able to tie the alpine butterfly. Where rope grabs can be attached to a line under tension.
- Applications: For use as a floating anchor or in setting up mechanical advantage.
Alpine Butterfly
- Advantages: Maintains high strength and is resistant to slipping, even under heavy or dynamic loads. Compact, making it useful in space-constrained setups.
- Limitations: Can be difficult to untie after being loaded heavily.
Slightly more complex to tie, requiring practice for consistent results. - Applications: Secure termination knot. Can be used to tie two ropes together
Clove Hitch
- Advantages: Quick and easy for temporary anchoring; easily adjustable.
- Limitations: Prone to slipping under dynamic loads.
- Applications: Securing ropes to branches or poles and for quick adjustments during rigging.
