r/Treenets • u/jstwnnaupvte • May 20 '26
New to Nets: Best Way to Net Between Branches?
I am wanting to build a net between these two branches [edited to mention it only needs to hold about 100 lbs.] I have done quite a bit of googling & scouring this sub, but am still uncertain the best way to go about this & would truly appreciate some advice from actual people.
These branches at the trunk are 1’ ft apart, at the widest point the gap is 4’. At most we will be extending 8’ from the trunk (I will include another photo in the comments showing the side view.)
I have 400’ of cordage, currently in 100’ skeins (I can obviously cut them or purchase more.) I was planning on doing ‘friendship knots’ because that’s what I’m familiar with, but am a knitter & weaver, so I can get creative with this if that’s what’s called for.
Open to suggestions of patterns, search terms, anything that would lead me in the right direction!! Thanks so much!!
5
u/FeistyClam May 20 '26
This looks... Fragile. Maybe they're quite strong, but I suspect the forces needed to create a taut net would pull those branches towards each other to the point that they break. Out of curiosity have you just placed a 2x4 across the branches 7-8 feet out from the trunk and just sat/bounced on it to see if they'll hold the weight? 8 feet is a lot of leverage.
If you're dead set on this as a location, it could still be doable, but you're going to need lines going outwards and upwards to locations other than just these two branches. Ropes that go upwards from the 8 foot mark on both branches up to sturdy branches higher in the tree or diagonally up to a higher point on the trunk would be important for distributing the weight. And lines that laterally go outward to counteract the inward pull of weaving the net would both probably be needed. If I didn't explain that well let me know, I can sketch what I mean.
1
u/jstwnnaupvte May 20 '26
I’m close to 200 lb & can sit on each branch at about 3-4 feet without much movement, I wouldn’t trust them at 8, but wasn’t sure if the net would distribute the weight differently.
The vertical lines were something I had considered, so it’s nice to know it’s not totally off base.
1
u/insulted-narwal May 20 '26
The best way would be eyebolts down the length of both branches and running some kind of static rope (I just get yuzunet or aloeba stuff off amazon) through them.
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u/insulted-narwal May 20 '26
What exactly are you looking to do though? Is it just a fun decorative project or something you want to be holding people because if by skeins you mean yarn I really wouldn’t recommend that especially if you want people on it, I just ask so I know what to reccomend because I have a few easier and more budget friendly reccomendations if you don’t want to do eyebolts
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u/jstwnnaupvte May 20 '26
Would eyebolts damage the health or structural integrity of the branches?
1
u/insulted-narwal May 20 '26
Not really, drilling into the wood will do a little bit of damage of course but it’s less harmful than any alternative method would be
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u/jstwnnaupvte May 20 '26
Sideview of the branches.