More About Arborist Rope
At SGT KNOTS, we take pride in delivering the safe and reliable arborist Climbing Ropes and Climbing Accessories tree workers and rock climbers alike rely on. Here, you will also find the UIAA certified Static Ropes, Dynamic Ropes, and Knot Tutorials to help you master the perfect knots you rely on when suspended in the air. Shop our arborist climbing ropes and other Rope Products today to discover your new favorite rope products for every application!
Polyester Climbing Rope
The All Gear® Polyester Arborist Climbing Rope is an industry-tested, heavy-duty, abrasion, and snag-resistant braided polyester rope designed with bright and highly visible colors for climber safety. This is the perfect rope for tree climbing and arborist work such as trimming and prepping.
You can get this arborist climbing rope in either 7/16” or 1/2” diameters and lengths of 120’, 150’, 200’, and 600’. Your arborist rope length should be double the height you are climbing. If you plan to climb a “shorter” tree of 50’, we suggest using a standard 120’ rope. A 75’ climb will require a 150’ rope, and so on.
Arborist Rope Strength
Arborist climbing rope strength is often differentiated by the number of strands and rope diameter. For instance, the “Cherry Bomb” All Gear® Polyester Arborist Climbing Rope is a 24-strand rope, and in the 7/16” diameter, has an average tensile strength of 6,300 pounds. Conversely, the Safetylite Polyester Arborist Climbing Rope is a 16 strand, 1/2” rope with a tensile strength of 7,500 pounds, while the Forestry Pro Arborist Climbing Rope is a 12 strand, 1/2” diameter rope with an average tensile strength of 7,300 pounds. Choosing an arborist rope with the right tensile strength will depend on the work you are doing and the weight load the rope will be subject to.
It is important to note that when performing tree work, you should never use a rope intended for rock climbing, caving, or stiff rope that cannot support specific arborist knots. You should also never use a twisted rope which can cause you to spin in the air. A braided (kernmantle) rope is always the best type of arborist rope.
Arborist Rope Climbing Accessories
We carry a great selection of climbing accessories you need for safe tree climbing while at work or at play! For instance, the Teufelberger treeMOTION Climbing Harness was designed to give tree climbers a functional harness that is as comfortable as it is safe, while our Climbing Backpack serves as the perfect place to store your ropes and accessories during a climb. Here, you will also find Climbing Slings, professional-grade Climbing Harnesses, Carabiners, and other reliable equipment to make every climb a safe one.
Shop SGT KNOTS today for the arborist climbing rope and climbing gear you need for your next climb!
FAQS - arborist rope
Arborist rope is specifically designed for tree work. It typically features high strength, good abrasion resistance, controlled stretch, and is built to be knotted, spliced, and used overhead. Regular rope (such as garden or decorative rope) doesn’t usually meet the safety and durability standards required for arborist tasks.
It depends on your weight, the loads you expect (branches, tools, etc.), and how you climb. Thinner rope is lighter and easier to handle, while thicker rope supports more weight and is more durable. We provide tensile strength ratings to help you compare options.
Common materials include polyester, nylon/polyamide, and HMPE. Polyester is UV- and abrasion-resistant, nylon offers more stretch, and HMPE provides an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for throw lines or lightweight use.
For most arborist climbing work, static or low-stretch rope is preferred to ensure accurate positioning and predictability. Dynamic rope is better for absorbing shock (such as in fall arrest), but this is less common in typical arborist work.
As a general rule, the rope should be at least twice the height of the tree or the height you’ll be working from. This provides enough slack for knots, anchor points, and safety backups.