7 Best Rope for Pulling Trees (Strength Over Everything)

It’s easy! 

I mean, how tough would pulling trees with rope be? All you have to do is tie up one end with a rope and pull from the other! No, my friend, it isn’t as easy as it seems. 

Even though it sounds easy, you need a solid plan for pulling trees with rope. For that, you’ll first need the best rope for pulling trees. These ropes will make it a tad bit easier at pulling the trees. 

But, since the universe has already made choosing a good rope hard enough, we’ve decided to work on the research. So, after 6 weeks and analyzing through 15 different ropes, we’re ready with this guide.

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With all the help we’ve got from the team, we’ve added important information too. We’ve stacked those in separate sections in the latter part of the article. 

1. Blue Ox 12 Strand Arborist Climbing Rope (Top Pick)

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Specifications:

• Size: 150 feet
• Diameter: 1/2-Inch
• Strand: 12-Strand
• Material: Polyester
• Tensile Strength: 8000 lbs.
• Color: Blue/White

The first product! Oh boy, aren’t we excited to declare our first product? After all, it did beat all of the other ropes in all sectors.

So, be it strength, durability, or versatility- it’s leading everywhere. On that note, we present to you the Blue Ox 12-Strand Rope. 

The unique feature of this rope is that it provides resistance against sunlight damages, milking, and even twisting.

It doesn’t end there as the rope has all-weather protection too. On top of all this, abrasion resistance is added. So, the rope has an amazing lifespan and durability. 

Due to this added lifespan, you won’t have to worry about buying another rope anytime soon. But, for pulling trees, you need superior strength too! There’s plenty in here, though. 

So, let’s start with that:

Here, the product comes with an 8000 lbs. tensile strength. This means it won’t have any sort of problem at holding added weight. You can even use it to pull trees or poles. 

They say, the higher strength, the better! In that case, this product is quite impressive. And, it’ll pull trees quite well without falling apart. 

On the other hand, it’s made of a 12-strand construction. The higher strands ensure that it’s more resistant to abrasion. But, it does add a bit of increased weight. But, then again, it’s still better at providing durability. So, we’ll take durability over the weight factor any day. 

Hence, the rope won’t have problems holding added weight or strain. Besides, it’ll handle weight or strain pretty well due to the tear and wear resistance. 

Another noticeable thing we saw was the flexible and stretchy build of this rope. So, the rope is supposed to have a lower stretch, at all times. 

On the other hand, the rope has excellent knot retention. So, the strength doesn’t reduce too. 

Now, the visibility factor is quite good in this rope too. You’ll notice the bright blue/white color combination right away. So, visibility won’t be a problem at any time. 

The thing we’d nitpick about is the 1/2-inch diameter. We would’ve loved a thicker diameter. But, hey, it’s still a better option than the thinner ones. So, we can’t really complain about it. 

Lastly, the rope comes with a 150 feet size option. So, it has plenty of size for industrial application and pulling. It’s quite a good deal at the price!

2. Blue Ox 24 Strand Arborist Bull Rope (Editor’s Choice)

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Specifications:

• Size: 150 Feet
• Diameter: 3/4 Inch
• Strand: 24-Strand
• Color: White/Blue
• Tensile Strength: 20000 pounds
• Material: Polyester

Another Blue Ox Rope on our list! Seems like we have ourselves a favorite brand. While we do love the products from this brand.

Every rope is quite durable and tough! Similar to the previous product, this one does have some extended benefits. 

From a unique vision, this product has the most tensile strength on the list. Out of all the products we’ve reviewed, this has beaten every single one! To be exact, it comes with a tensile strength of 20000 pounds.

For pulling trees, you don’t require this much strength. But, if it’s there for the take, why won’t you utilize it?

So, yeah, you can pull off industrial applications with this rope. And yes, you can pull trees since that’s what you’re here for. 

We believe a lot of that strength comes from that 24-strand. Heads up! This is another unique feature of this rope. The strand does add in weight but we’d always appreciate higher durability for this. Higher strands mean it’ll resist abrasion all the time too. 

On that note, the rope does resist abrasion and weather damage. However, it still doesn’t do weather protection like the previous product. So, it lacks in this sector. 

Other than that, the rope has better handling and better knot retention. The retention of knots means the strength is handled well in this product.

Similar to the previous product, it has a lower stretch. And, yes, the polyester material ensures flexibility here too. 

Compared to the last product, it has a thicker diameter. This does influence the higher strength too. So, you never know, you might love this option. 

The color combination of white/blue provides a great option for visibility as well. So, bonus points here. That said, we wish the rope had a matte finish instead of a glossy one. It would’ve improved the grip factor.

3. SGT KNOTS Poly Dacron 1/2 Inch Rope (Best Overall)

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Specifications:

• Size: 100 feet
• Diameter: 1/2 Inch
• Strands: 3-Strand
• Color: White
• Material: Polyester
• Tensile strength: 17000 lbs.

You thought the previous product had amazing strength? Well, this rope comes with impressive strength as well.

So, the SGT KNOTS Poly Dacron 1/2 Inch Rope is our 3rd on the line. Let’s see what you’ll get here and miss out on from the top 2.

The most impressive thing about this rope is the tensile strength with the lower strand size. Don’t get us wrong, it still has 3-strands. But, it’s able to provide 17000 lbs. strength with these 3 strands. So, the weight will be lower in this product. 

And, yes, weight is one of the key things while we discuss pulling trees. You don’t want to carry the added weight of the ropes when you’re pulling. It’ll just cause fatigue faster. 

So, yeah, the tensile strength allows you to easily pull trees with this rope on. Also, the polyolefin core of this rope ensures added strength. So, it’s quite easier to pull the trees. 

On the other hand, it does arrive with a 1/2-inch diameter. So, it’s not that thin. But, we’d love a bit more thickness in this rope. Don’t worry, the 3-strands do ensure abrasion resistance. 

Added to this, the strands ensure better protection against moisture, UV rays, and bad weather. Here, the twisted strands work at providing lower elongation too. 

Speaking of that, the rope comes with a lower stretch and better knot retention as well. And, it’s quite the thing to be happy about. We give it cookie points for this one. 

It does have a strong inner core made of polyolefin. So, it’ll be strong and soft on the inside. But, on the outside, it’s made of a fusion. This will ensure that you’ll have a better grip as well. 

Now, time to put some things that we didn’t like. The first thing is the visibility factor. It comes in a bland white color.

We aren’t budging about the aesthetics here, by any means. But, the visibility factor isn’t great, honestly. Compared to the first two, it lacks away behind. 

That said, the size option is 100 feet. So, it won’t be that long as the previous two as well. For industrial work, we can’t really recommend this one. 

Other than that, we have loved the alternative factors. So, you might want to give it a second thought. 

4. Pelican 24 Strand Arborist Rope (Strongest)

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Specifications:

• Size: 200 Feet
• Diameter: 7/16 Inch
• Tensile Strength: 7000 lbs.
• Material: Polyester
• Color: Yellow & Black

We’re back with Pelican Rope on our list. After the first two, we decided to give this vibrant yellow rope a chance on our list. Yes, it does provide a lot of benefits like the top 2 products. 

The visual difference however is the color. Here, the product comes in bright orange color. But, there are bits of black color in the rope too. This does increase the visibility, to some extent. Overall, this is one of the best-looking products on our list. 

Similar to the previous two products, it comes in a larger 200 feet size. So, you can use it for industrial work quite easily. But, we’re not here for that reason. 

As you’re concerned about pulling trees with this product, you can do it eventually. Here, the rope comes with a tensile strength of 7000 pounds. As a result, it’ll hold off extra weight quite easily. 

Now, the strength isn’t the highest in the list. But, it’s still quite impressive. As the product is tightly double-braided, it’ll provide abrasion resistance all the time. 

Hence, the product won’t wear off that easily. On the other hand, the rope has a lower stretch compared to the other ones. Also, we’ve tested it ourselves. And, we can say that it’ll resist abrasion, wear and tear all the time. 

So, the product has a significant lifespan compared to the other ones on the list. Speaking of resistance, the product has a higher scratch resistance as well. We saw this when we ran some tests on it. This shows how durable the product is! 

A complaint on our part would be the storage problem. When you’re working with ropes, it’s important that they have a flexible design. As this rope is braided tightly, it won’t flex easily. 

This will be a problem when you’re trying to store the rope! And, yes, you’ll be in a spot of bother with it. 

Otherwise, the rope brings a lot of benefits to the table. With a 7/16 inch diameter, it’ll remain strong and won’t tear off easily. So, you know what to expect from this rope. Hence, give it a thought! 

5. Mophorn Double Braid 9/16 Inch Polyester Rope

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Specifications:

• Size: 200 feet
• Diameter:  9/16 Inch
• Material: Polyester
• Tensile Strength: 1100 lbs.
• Color: Orange

Bringing in one of the least strong ropes on our list. Well, we’ll prove that strength isn’t everything with this rope. The Mophorn Double Braid 9/16 Inch Polyester Rope is our 5th option. Let’s know more about it- 

First off, it has the lowest tensile strength on our list. With just 1100 lbs, things don’t look so well with this rope. Also, it has a 9/16-inch diameter. This is another unique factor of this rope. You won’t find this in all the other ropes in this list. 

So, is this rope not good for pulling trees? We’ll get to this answer in a second. First, let me tell you something- 

The rope isn’t about strength. You know it, by now. This does limit the rope when doing some bit of activities. So, when you’re mountain climbing and suspending people, it’s not the best option. 

But, when it comes to tree pulling, this rope becomes a beast! Here, the rope has nylon in the core. As a result, it’ll have an increased pulling force.

This increased strength is achieved as the inner core prevents the rope’s strength from spreading. 

Hence, the rope can pull trees with greater force. Another feature that doesn’t allow the rope to spread is the “Hot Melt Cutting” technology. It’s quite a fancy name for a feature. But, it does work as per our test’s results.

Now, it does have a polyester construction on the outside. The outer layer resists damages related to UV rays, sunlight, chemicals, and oil. In the end, it’ll resist wear-tear, and even abrasion as well. So, it’ll have an increased lifespan. 

On the other hand, the rope comes with a size option of 200 feet and a diameter of 9/16. It’s a fairly thicker rope compared to the other ones. And, the increased length makes us believe it’ll tackle industrial chores well. 

But, we still won’t recommend this rope for doing heavy tasks. Due to the tensile strength being low, we don’t really want to risk it. So, why don’t you go for other options if that’s what you want? 

That said, pulling trees, it’s a safer option due to the nylon inner core. So, go for this rope. 

6. Blue Ox Rope 12 Strand Arborist Climbing Rope

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Specifications:

• Size: 100 feet
• Diameter: 1/2 Inch
• Color: Blue/Orange
• Material: Polyester
• Tensile Strength: 8,000 lbs.
• Strand: 12-Strand

We’ve loved Blue Ox ropes! So, presenting another 12-strand version of this brand. The Blue Ox Rope 12-Strand Rope will be a bit common like the other ones discussed in this list. But, there are some differences- 

Starting off, the first difference is in the design of this product. It comes with a blue and orange design. So, it has great visibility, out of the box! Other than that, it comes with 8000 lbs of strength, which is a great thing to have. So, it’s great for pulling trees and other industrial chores.

The product is quite similar to the first product discussed in this list. Now, this makes things interesting as this one is located way below in the list. It even has the same 12-strand built. 

This tight braiding means that the product will resist abrasion a lot. And, the durability is right up there with this product.

Hence, this is quite the option. Also, it’s made of high-quality polyester. So, durability is ever compromised with this one. 

Another benefit of this product is the 1/2-inch diameter. It isn’t too thick or thin. We believe it’s the ideal thickness. But, we won’t lie, it would’ve been better if the rope was a bit thicker. 

That said, we don’t have a problem with knot retention at all. It’s quite good. Notice how we didn’t say anything about the stretch factor? Well, the rope has a lower stretch as well. This is quite good for working with heavier loads. 

On the other hand, the flexible materials of this rope make it easy to store on. So, it doesn’t have problems in this sector too. 

Another thing we’d like to discuss is the size options. You’ll get 4 different sizes with this rope. So, you can dial things up and take the 200feet one for industrial uses. 

But, here’s where things get interesting. This product is way down below in the list for a reason. And, that’s the wear-tear resistance. 

We’ve tested this product out. But, the results were shocking. The rope does wear out faster than the other Blue Ox products. Isn’t that a bummer? Well, this means you shouldn’t be putting it through the industrial works more often. 

And, it doesn’t last long when used for climbing as well. But, as you’re focusing on pulling trees, we could let it go here. That said, lifespan could be a concern for you. 

Otherwise, it’s a fair enough option. We’ve loved Blue Ox products. And, we admire this one too. We just had to take some points out in this sector.

7. Arbor-Care 1/2 x 150′ Arborist Tree Rope

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Specifications:

• Size: 150 feet
• Diameter: 1/2 Inch
• Color: Red, white, and blue
• Tensile Strength: 6000 lbs. 
• Strand: 16-Strand

Presenting the first Arbor-Care product on our list. I guess we had it with all the Blue Ox products in the review section. Time to focus on a newer product. Sadly, our new product is also our last product on the list. 

But, hey, there are things left to be shown here as well. So, what’s unique here? 

It has the first “Tri-Color” design on our list. Now, we won’t budge about aesthetics since many don’t even care about it. But, visibility is quite the issue for ropes. And, this product has excellent visibility. There’s just something about this product that just looks clear. 

But, for pulling trees with ropes, we’d need something else. Mainly we focus on the strength factor. Yes, this product has plenty of strength. To be precise, it’ll have a tensile strength of 6000 lbs. All this added strength will give you some sort of confidence. 

Trust me, the rope won’t tear off just like that. It’ll stay like that for a bit. And, the 1/2-inch diameter shows that it isn’t the thinnest one on the list. 

Also, the wear resistance is ensured due to the tightly braided 16-strand outer. It even has a nylon inner for added strength. So, the strength factor is never compromised. 

This added wear and tear resistance means that the ropes will last through for a long-time. Speaking of resistance, it’ll resist abrasion, moisture, UV rays, and all-weather damage too. So, no problems in this sector. 

On the other hand, knot retention is pretty good too. So, the strength doesn’t reduce over time. But, we would expect the retention of knots to be a bit better. Maybe in the next versions in the future. 

So, yeah, for pulling the trees and other industrial heavy works, this rope will be a solid recommendation from us. But, there are some factors that we didn’t like. 

Out of them, the rope has a higher stretch compared to the other ropes. It can even “break down” under higher stress. These factors question our decisions again. 

You know what to expect. Here, we’ve shown it all. So, you decide if the cons are worth the price! 

An Arborist’s Guide To Types of Rope

As you’ll head on to the market in search of the most durable ropes, it’s important to know about the types. So, here we have some of the most common types you’ll find in the market. 

So, let’s take a closer look. Stick around as we’ll declare our favorite one at the end of the list. Let’s begin:

1. Nylon Rope

Presenting the strongest type of rope in our list. Ropes that have a nylon core come with tremendous strength. Hence, these ropes are ideal for pulling, climbing, and even anchoring. 

Besides, these ropes are highly resistant to water and weather damage. Added to that, nylon ropes work pretty well by being wear and tear-resistant. So, these ropes are quite the option. 

2. Polyester Rope

If you’ve seen our list then you would’ve found a lot of polyester ropes. Well, what can we do? There are a lot of benefits to these ropes. First off, polyester ropes are lightweight. As a result, they won’t cause fatigue so easily. 

In fact, these ropes are perfect for winching and rigging as well. Other than that, the ropes come with superior protection to all-weather damage. And, the flexibility of this rope is top-notch. 

3. Polypropylene Rope

Introducing the affordable option of this list. These ropes don’t have shiny top-notch specs beside their name. But, it does provide all the weather resistance and UV protection needed. 

On top of this, the ropes come with quite some stretching in them. So, they’re quite good for climbing. But, we won’t vouch for them for pulling trees. 

4. Manilla Rope

These are the types of ropes that have the tendency to wear and tear off quite easily. But, they’re still able to be used for pulling trees. Also, these don’t really cost that much. So, it’s a great option. 

Rope Construction

Rope construction refers to the way ropes are made, combining various materials and techniques to create ropes with specific characteristics and intended uses.

There are several common rope constructions used for different applications. Here are some of the most prevalent rope construction types:

1. Twisted Rope

Twisted ropes are the simplest form of rope construction. They are made by twisting individual yarns or strands of fibers together in a helical pattern. The twist creates a balanced structure, with each twist in one direction counteracting the twist in the opposite direction.

Twisted ropes are commonly used for general-purpose applications but tend to untwist under load and can be more prone to kinking.

2. Braided Rope

Braided ropes are made by intertwining strands of fibers or yarns in a complex pattern to form a balanced and sturdy rope. Braided ropes are less likely to kink and have better resistance to unraveling than twisted ropes.

They also offer higher tensile strength and are often used for applications that require durability and minimal stretch.

3. Kernmantle Rope

Kernmantle ropes consist of a strong, load-bearing core (the kern) protected by an outer sheath (the mantle). The core provides most of the rope’s strength, while the mantle protects it from abrasion and external elements.

This construction offers excellent strength, durability, and handling characteristics, making it popular for climbing and rigging purposes.

4. Laid Rope

Laid ropes are constructed by twisting multiple strands together in one direction to form a rope. The individual strands are made by twisting yarns or fibers in the opposite direction.

Laid ropes are known for their flexibility and are commonly used in marine applications, such as anchor lines and mooring ropes.

5. Hollow Braid Rope

Hollow braid ropes have a tubular or cylindrical construction with a hollow core. They are lightweight and easy to handle, making them suitable for applications like camping, boating, and general utility purposes.

6. Parallel Core Rope

Parallel core ropes consist of multiple strands laid parallel to each other, with no twisted core. This construction results in a rope with excellent flexibility and resistance to kinking. Parallel core ropes are often used for winch lines and other applications requiring low-stretch properties.

7. 3-Strand Rope

3-strand ropes are twisted ropes with three strands braided together. This construction is commonly used in traditional rope applications like marine ropes, dock lines, and general-purpose utility ropes.

8. 8-Strand Rope

8-strand ropes are braided ropes with eight strands. They offer higher tensile strength and better resistance to abrasion than 3-strand ropes. 8-strand ropes are often used in heavy lifting and towing applications.

Each rope construction has its unique advantages and limitations, so it’s essential to select the right type of rope based on the specific requirements of your intended use.

Rope Sizing

Understanding the proper sizing of arborist ropes is vital for climbers seeking the perfect balance between strength, weight, and grip. Arborist ropes are available in a range of sizes, typically falling between 10-13 mm, roughly equivalent to 3/8″-1/2″.

While all sizes can bear the weight of a human, the choice between them depends on individual preferences and specific climbing techniques.

Tree Climbing Rope vs Rigging Rope: Quick Overview

here’s a quick overview table comparing Tree Climbing Rope and Rigging Rope:

Aspect	Tree Climbing Rope	Rigging Rope
Usage	Ascending, descending trees, and aerial work	Lowering heavy loads during tree rigging
Elasticity	Dynamic (some stretch)	Static (minimal stretch)
Tensile Strength	Moderate	High
Material	Nylon or synthetic blend	Polyester or aramid fibers
Weight	Lightweight	Heavier
Spliceable	Yes	Yes
Knotability	Moderate	Highly knottable
Purpose	Movement and positioning	Controlled lowering of loads

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a specific force rating to know about tree-pulling ropes?

Well, there is some simple tree-pulling geometry involved in the process. It’s easy enough to understand if you know what you’re doing. There’s also a simple metric that you can use if a rope pulley is your primary force producer. The number of moving ropes in the pulley system can determine how much mechanical advantage you have.

Are arborist ropes suitable for rock climbing?

We can say that arborist ropes are good for pulling and climbing trees. However, they are not suitable for rigorous tasks like rock climbing. You need proper stretching capabilities if you want the rope to mitigate the fall damage.

Why are tree-pulling ropes not so stretchy?

Tree pulling and climbing ropes aren’t stretchy because of the strength requirements. If a rope is stretchy, it means there is a noticeable amount of loss of energy. For pulling trees, you want the ropes to retain the energy, at all times. 

Are nylon ropes better than manila ropes?

In many cases, nylon ropes are stronger than manila ropes. When it comes to rope strength for pulling trees, nylon ropes often come out on top with twice as much or more tensile strength. 

Is there a specific time span for storage?

If you store the rope in a proper way, then you can expect it to hold its composure for 8 to 10 years. The storage condition is a key factor in determining the storage time span.

Final Verdict

Congratulations! You’ve finished this mammoth of an article. By now, you have completed 7 different tree-pulling ropes. Out of them, you’ll have to find the best rope for pulling trees. 

As we’ve reviewed all of the products and nitpicked them, we believe it’s an easier task. However, do check out the pre-buying information we’ve provided too. Those factors will steer your way clearer than ever. 

What’s the wait now? Go ahead and comment down below what products you’ve bought from our list. We’d love to check them out. Good luck!