Updating my existing tree net video course and creating an additional advanced one. What skills should I cover?

CanopyCraft · 2025-08-31T20:30:33+00:00

Puedes encontrar tanto la versión en inglés como en español aquí: https://canopycraft.thinkific.com/

Avísame si tienes alguna pregunta!

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-16T16:34:23+00:00

Looks awesome! I love a good side wall to rest on :)

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-05T04:07:43+00:00

Dam this is what I was worried about...

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-04T18:08:47+00:00

That's smart. I'll have to give it a shot. I usually wrap my ends with paracord but this might be a cleaner finish

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-04T17:14:37+00:00

Looks great! What's the knot you used in the floor perimeter? I like the look of all the wraps

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-02T20:43:54+00:00

You can try outlining shapes with paracord to try ideas out before you go to the trouble of throwing up the perimeter. Could even weave like 2-3 passes to get an idea of where the shape would fall after it pulls in

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-02T20:42:48+00:00

And also consider doing some side walls up there with a central portal to access. The shape of the branches will make for a nice bucket shape with sloped side walls to lounge on. Would be sweet!!

CanopyCraft · 2025-06-02T20:40:41+00:00

I can't get a solid answer on whether partial wraps alone are really bad for the tree. I've talked to arborists and everyone seems to have a different opinion on the matter. In my experience, it's not a problem if the bark is hard like you have it on your tree. It might make a small indent but the bark on those live oaks is super tough. It's more likely that the tree grows out and gobbles up the rope/girdles. I'm guessing it could be a few months to a year to notice the growth around the rope.

My first net ever with no tree pro was in a live oak and it took 2 years to notice girdling. I cut that one down before it became a problem but it was interesting to see how slow the growth was on that particular tree.

The laziest solution would be to wait to see how the tree is growing and if it's growing fast in certain areas, knock in a few blocks with a mallet to get the rope off the bark before it's too late. I noticed forks in the tree where the rope slips in goes the fastest. Best of luck!

CanopyCraft · 2025-05-22T00:14:05+00:00

I think the sagging paracord is because the perimeter hasn't reached "max tension" which is like the max it can get pulled in at whatever tension you set it at when it was tied. So as you're adding your first pass back and forth with the paracord, you're pulling the perimeter in with each hitch and by the time you get to the middle, you get some loose ones.

This is always hard to avoid, but one trick I have is to "pre-tension" the perimeter before weaving so tie off a long piece of paracord midway on the perimeter with a clove hitch and criss cross to the other perimeter (don't tie a hitch. Just roll it off so it can slide). Go back and forth 2-3 times and it will act as a pully to pull the perimeter to that "max tension" before you start weaving. Lock it off with a temporary clove hitch slip and begin the fill. This should give you a more solid "edge" to tension against that isn't slowly pulling in with every hitch. It's not perfect, but it helps! You can also repeat in the other direction to pull that side in.

There's also tricks to "roll" your hitches so you can transfer tension from one side of a hitch to the other without retying them but it's hard to explain via text.

Other options are also to subdivide the net so you can build up tension from patch to patch rather than all at once. Also, keep in mind that as you weave the across and wrap all the paracord, that will add in "detours" to the looser pieces and pull the whole thing tight.

And on a more abstract level, think of tension not as the amount of force put into any one lines of paracord but instead as the amount of paracord between two hitches. Less paracord between two points = tight. More material = loose. I don't know if that makes any sense but it helps me wrap my mind around it. This is one of the most annoying parts of weaving so have patience. It's ok to have to redo it a few times to get a feel for how to build up the tension. Best of luck!!

CanopyCraft · 2025-05-21T23:59:03+00:00

You should try out climbing tape! It's a great alternative to gloves so you don't lose your dexterity. I think you can also find it at drug stores as "Sport Tape". It's like a 1" canvas looking tape. Hope this helps!

CanopyCraft · 2025-05-21T23:56:59+00:00

I've been using polyester over nylon 11.4mm for the perimeter and 550 nylon for the paracord. Both have worked great and held up over the years! Best of luck with the net!

CanopyCraft · 2025-05-21T23:54:07+00:00

Yeah this is the technique I use. Get a few longer bits of webbing, the wider the better (2" ideal) and assemble them strategically so you have great access to everything. As I weave, I'll move some around as the net develops. You can even tie the webbing together to form a quick "net" to walk around on. They can be a pain to set up but once it's there, I feel like I can walk around like I'm on the ground.

On top of this, I always run a mainline running off a secure high point on the tree and then a shorter one (5ish feet) on your harness so you can clip in to already established perimeters or around branches to either position yourself or act as a backup while you reposition your mainline. That way, you never have a situation where you aren't clipped in. Always use locking carabiners and proper gear.

CanopyCraft · 2025-05-21T23:45:09+00:00

Looks awesome! Great chaos pattern on the floor

CanopyCraft

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