Arborist knots keep a climber secure high off the ground and control the limbs coming down. Top friction hitches like the Blake's Hitch, Distel Hitch, and Prusik grip the line under a climber's weight but advance by hand when unloaded, so the climber can move up, stop to work, and come back down. Rigging systems are another aspect of the arborist's job. A rigging knot like the Timber Hitch grabs the log or limb and ties it to the rigging line. It holds the load. It doesn't lower it, and nothing should be let down on it without a proper, backed-up rigging system. The lowering runs on friction instead, where a knot like the Munter Hitch on a carabiner feeds a cut section down under control rather than dropping it. An Alpine Butterfly forms a solid loop in the middle of the line for an anchor or attachment point. Tree work can be extremely dangerous, and a mistake can kill, so arborists practice these essential knots until tying, dressing, and checking them is second nature.
Alpine Butterfly
Secure loop in the middle of a rope.
Alpine Butterfly (Hand Method)
Secure loop in the middle of a rope.
Anchor Hitch
Attach a line to an anchor, ring or post.
Autolocking Trucker's Hitch
Mechanical advantage system for securing loads using a block-and-tackle mechanism.
Blake's Hitch
Slide and grip friction hitch used for ascending and descending.
Bowline
Relatively secure fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Bowline on a Bight
Secure double loop in the middle of a rope.
Buntline Hitch
Secure and compact hitch.
Chain Sinnet
Chain of loops used for decoration and rope storage.
Clove Hitch
Secure a rope to a post or spar.
Distel Hitch
Directional slide and grip knot used for climbing.
Double Fisherman's Knot
Securely join two ropes of similar size, often used in climbing.
Figure Eight
Simple stopper knot preventing rope from slipping through belay device or hole.
Figure Eight Loop
Secure, fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Gnat Hitch
Compact hitch for attaching a rope to a post or ring.
Killick Hitch
Temporary hitch for securing a rope to a log or improvised anchor.
Klemheist
Directional friction hitch for ascending or descending on a rope.
Lanyard Hitch
Temporarily attach cord to a post, ring, whistle or name tag.
Michoacan
Directional slide and grip knot used for climbing.
Munter Hitch
Friction hitch for controlled descent or belaying in climbing and rescue.
Poacher's Knot
General purpose noose used in climbing, fishing, and snares.
Prusik
Bi-directional friction hitch used for ascending or descending on a rope.
Quick Hitch
Simple and fast way to pull up a second rope.
Running Bowline
Noose for securing or retrieving objects in sailing and tree-work.
Schwabisch
Secure directional friction hitch.
Sheet Bend
Securely join ropes of different or similar size.
Simple Overhand Noose
Simple noose that tightens when pulled.
Slipped Clove Hitch
Quick release, temporary attachment.
Slipped Sheet Bend
Temporary quick release joining knot.
Snap Bowline
Quick to tie, Relatively secure fixed loop.
Snuggle Hitch
A secure hitch under variable tension, for use with natural or synthetic ropes.
Super Munter
High-friction hitch tied on a carabiner, ideal for lowering heavy loads.
Swiss Seat
Basic rappel harness fashioned using rope or webbing.
Timber Hitch
Simple knot for hauling timber, initiating lashings, and attaching bowstrings or guitar strings.
Trucker's Hitch
Mechanical advantage system for securing loads using a block-and-tackle mechanism.
Valdotain Tresse
Directional friction hitch popular with arborists.
Water Knot
Join two ends of webbing.
Yosemite Bowline
Secure Bowline variant for making a fixed loop.
Zeppelin Bend
Excellent, jam-resistant way to connect two ropes.
Warning
