A strong, well-maintained rope can mean the difference between a safe, efficient climb and a dangerous accident.
Caring for Your Climbing Extending Lifespan and Ensuring Safety By Jenny Cohen
When you are working high in the can- opy, your rope is more than a tool — it’s your lifeline. A strong, well-maintained rope can mean the difference between a safe, efficient climb and a dangerous accident. Yet ropes, like all gear, wear down over time. Exposure to friction, dirt, moisture, and heavy loads slowly erodes their strength. For arborists, extending the life of a rope is not just about saving money on replace- ments — it is about en- suring peak performance and staying safe on every job. From choosing the right protective equipment to knowing when to retire a line, understanding rope care is essen- tial for anyone who climbs. REDUCING THE FRICTION OF CLIMBING Protecting ropes during use is one of the simplest ways to prolong their lifespan. Fric- tion between rope and tree bark can generate heat, grind in dirt, and cause serious damage. “When the rope touches the tree, fric- tion is increased, which creates heat and
then damages the rope,” said Bill Burley of Teufelberger Fiber Rope Corp . “Dirt is ground into the rope fibers as well while moving over the bark.” Friction savers can go over branches and give you a sturdy way for rope to run through the smooth, metal loops of the friction saver instead of running the rope directly over the rough edges of a tree. “Friction savers are a must,” said Lisa Tadewaldt, a tree care expert who is the founder and owner of Urban For- est Pro . “A rope should never run over
Friction savers are engineered to be installed over load-bearing branches, creating a low-friction interface for climbing ropes via rings or pulleys.
Protecting ropes during use is one of the simplest ways to prolong their lifespan.
32 | ArborTIMES Fall 2025
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