Tree Climbing Knots

Practically speaking, there are more than a hundred types of tree climbing knots but only a few are essential in tree climbing. It is easy to remember how to tie and untie these knots and they are strong enough and stable under pressure and load. Below is a list of tree climbing knots that a tree climbing enthusiast should learn.

Figure of Eight Knot
Should there be any knot that absolutely needs to be learned, it is the figure of eight knot. It is also called the Flemish knot.  The eight knot is so famous and commonly used because it is a great stopper. The figure of eight knot has two . The first one is called the figure of eight knot rethreaded which is used to secure the rope to the harness. The second one is called the figure of eight on the loop which is used to clip into karabiner or any equipment.

Clove Hitch Knot
This is highly useful, an all purpose knot. In the field of arboriculture, it is used to bring the items or equipments up on the tree. The clove hitch knot has two methods. The open hitch knot is used when the anchor is open and the knot can just be put in from the top. On the other hand, the closed clove hitch knot is used when the anchor is close and when the rope needs to be tied around.

The Bowline Knot
This is another important type of knot that a tree climbing enthusiast should learn. This is commonly used when the rope is directly tied around the waist of the climber without any harness. It is also sometimes used in anchoring.

The Blake Hitch Knot
This is considered as slide and grip hitch. In the field of arboriculture, it is used by an arborist to ascend and descend. It was originally described by Heinz Prohaska on May, 1990. This type of knot should not be used in traction because it may loosen up by pulling directly on the hitch.

The Prusik Knot
Dr. Karl Prusik developed this knot in 1931. The primary usage of this knot is that it allows the rope to be climbed. It is a slide and grip knot. It is extremely useful when load needs to be applied in either of the directions.

The Klemheist Knot
The Klemheist is a slide and grip knot. It is a good alternative to the Prusik knot if the load needs to be applied on the same direction. This knot should be made using a rope smaller than the load bearing rope. When the size of two ropes approach each other, the effectiveness of this knot lessens.

The Double Fisherman’s Knot
Basically, the function of double fishermen’s knot is to join two lines together. It is also the reason why it was called by that name since it is commonly used by the fishermen to join two fishing lines together. Compared to the figure of eight knot, it is more reliable and compact knot but somehow harder to untie.

Italian Hitch Knot
Also known as Munter hitch, it gives a tree climbing enthusiast to have a controlled descent when rappelling. The advantage of using this type of knot is that it can be used by just locking a karabiner and it does not require a lot of equipment.

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