I’m considering unleashing my inner Paul Bunyan and felling some relatively small, dead trees on the edges of my property. (4 to 5 inch diameters… some are 20 foot high.)

I’m planning to tie off these trees when I cut them, to avoid the possibility of the tree falling across some fencing. Plenty of other, larger live trees near each dead tree that I will use as supports.

Question for the SFers: what type of rope should I be looking at? Natural? Poly? Climbing?

What diameter or gauge would be the better “all purpose” rope? Is a 50 foot length sufficient?

All suggestions welcome.

Following as I have 1 or 2 I've been thinking about taking down, but in my case it's keeping them off the house/neighbor

We did it with a tall pine at my dad's years ago, but don't recall what rope we used. Tied it off to the tree next to it, then cut about 5ft sections off the bottom & lowered it piece by piece.
Harrowing, but effective.

There is a rope come along that I’ve used at work. Designed for what you’re doing. It comes with 100’ of rope.I’ll see if google can find it.

https://www.amazon.com/Maasdam...id=1689363395&sr=8-3

Not sure if the above works, but Amazon has the rope come along with 50 feet of rope for $79..

5/8” 3 strand nylon. 50’ is probably enough. 5/8” because it’s easier to hold on to and knots are easier to undo than with thinner rope. 3 strand because it’s easy to splice. Nylon because it’s a good price vs performance value.

Everbilt
3/8 in. x 100 ft. Assorted Colors Polypropylene Diamond Braid Rope
$5.98

I used it, it's plenty long for any job. For throwing, I tie a weighted object to one end to put it over a branch if I need to take down individual branches and want to lower them slowly.

Did I mention, it's only $6?


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ev...Rope-14156/202048173

This would be more expensive... but last longer.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ev...hite-73272/206094359

Someone needs to mention Atwood Rope.

https://atwoodrope.com/collections/5-8
Made in USA.

^^^
As good as Atwood's paracord is, I'd definitely give their 5/8" rope a shot @ $18 for 50 feet.

The problem with doing that is the tree, constrained that way, may not do what you expect it to do.

4-6 in. diameter trees, twenty feet high, really shouldn't be all that challenging--if you know what you're about with a chain saw. If you do the cut properly, forming a proper hinge, most times it'll go where you want it to go.

There are, of course, exceptions, such as:



Obviously that last trunk wasn't going to be inclined to go where they wanted it to go, which was left of where that guy in the white shirt was standing, no matter how well they cut the hinge.

Note where they have that rope tied to the tree.

Here it is coming down:



Note a couple things here: 1. Look at the pitch on that rope. The three guys hauling on it were a long ways away. 2. Look at where the guy cutting the tree is looking as the tree started to hinge over. He's ready to get the hell outta there in case it doesn't do what they planned and expected (hoped?) it would do.

Cutting live wood can be tricky. I've more than once had it not do what I'd planned and expected it to do.

For something like that I would use lower end 5/8" Arborist Bull rope. 1/2" would likely work also in your case. Always get much longer rope than you think you need when working on trees. It leave more options open in many cases.

For what you are doing it really matters not. But the cheapest answer that is easy to work with is 5/8" poly and 100' (or more depends on where you can anchor). You need some way to tension it FYI.

You have plenty of good suggestions here, but I want to take this opportunity to suggest my favorite company for all cordage, Atwood Rope Mfg. The forum has no relationship with Atwood and I do not receive compensation of any kind from them. I simply believe in their products. Made in the USA.

Right now, they have a 15% off promo code: SUMMER23

Free shipping on orders over 99.00.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
You have plenty of good suggestions here, but I want to take this opportunity to suggest my favorite company for all cordage, Atwood Rope Mfg. The forum has no relationship with Atwood and I do not receive compensation of any kind from them. I simply believe in their products. Made in the USA.

Right now, they have a 15% off promo code: SUMMER23

Free shipping on orders over 99.00.

50ft of 5/8" black, for $20, isn't a bad deal

Damn, good deals. If the free shipping wasn’t for over $99 I’d be ordering from Atwood right now.

Go to your favorite hardware, chainsaw dealer etc. Get a good 1/2" or better yet 5/8" natural rope. Get it longer than you need. At least 50 ft. It will last you a lifetime. And having in your rig could really help someone out or even safe their or your life.
Also get some heat shrink tubing that will fit your rope size. Seal up the ends with it. It will last for years, decades if you do not abuse it. Stuff like this is an investment, not a expense.

The breaking strength for that 50 foot 5/8" Attwood for $20 is 3,000 pounds. They have an 5/8" Arborist rope whose breaking strength is 8,000 pounds. The breaking strength of 5/8" 3 strand nylon is over 11,000 pounds.

quote:

better yet 5/8" natural rope.

Nobody should at this point use natural rope for anything other than decoration.
For the OP the breaking strength of this is not relevant. The trees he is discussing weight at best less than 200lb. Poly is better then nylon for this application as you actually want less stretch. Sure double braided legitimate arbor rope is way better but this is a minor tree project and sounds like a one time project.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:

quote:

better yet 5/8" natural rope.

Nobody should at this point use natural rope for anything other than decoration.
For the OP the breaking strength of this is not relevant. The trees he is discussing weight at best less than 200lb. Poly is better then nylon for this application as you actually want less stretch. Sure double braided legitimate arbor rope is way better but this is a minor tree project and sounds like a one time project.

Maybe I should of said real natural braided rope. It has been used by ranchers and homesteaders for 150 years. I guess that is not enough for you. I use mine for a lot of different tasks.

I am old fashioned and am good with that. My opinion is a valid and yours jon. Just different.

https://youtu.be/oa1ez7yL_T4

I have to agree with Andy on this one.

If you don't do it on a weekly basis, it can be an expensive and or painful learning experience.

And
I have a whole bag full of
"I told you so's"

( It's only July)

It’s kinda pricey, but I think the best rope made is Amsteel.
Lineman