Tree Nets

A young person in an orange hoodie weaving bright green and purple cord across an orange rope frame to make a tree net in sunny woodland

TREE NETS

Weave a giant, colourful net between the trees, knot by knot, then climb in together and relax in the hammock you helped to make.

What are tree nets?

Tree nets are large nets woven from rope or cord and stretched between trees, a little like a giant hammock or a spider's web. You build one by tying a frame from trunk to trunk, then weaving line after line across the gap until the net is strong enough to sit or lie on. Once it's finished, it becomes a cosy place to hang out off the ground.

Making one brings together craft, teamwork and a bit of engineering. Every knot and every line helps hold the whole thing up.

How is a tree net made?

It starts with the frame. Strong ropes are tied around several trees to make the outline, often a triangle or a square. Wide straps or padding go around each trunk first, so the rope doesn't rub or cut the bark. The frame lines are pulled tight, because a slack frame means a saggy net.

Next comes the weaving. Lines are tied across the frame and crossed over each other to make a mesh. Simple knots such as the clove hitch and the lark's head knot fix each new line in place. The closer the mesh, the comfier the net feels.

Colour is half the fun. Bright cords make each pattern easy to see, whether you go for a neat grid, a spiral or a spider's web.

What's the science behind a tree net?

A tree net works because of tension and load sharing. When someone climbs in, their weight pulls on the lines around them. Those lines pass the pull on to the frame, and the frame passes it on to the trees. The more lines that share the weight, the less each one has to hold. Triangles are especially strong shapes, which is why you see them in nets, roofs and bridges. Building a net is a hands-on way to see engineering at work.

Can the whole family make a tree net?

Yes, and it's a lovely one to do together, because a big net needs lots of hands. Younger children can pick colours, pass cord along and help pull lines through. Older children and grown-ups can tie knots and check the tension. Your Activity Leader shows everyone the knots and checks the frame is safe. A shared net keeps growing as more people add to it, so you can pop back and see how far it has come. Then comes the best bit: climbing in and trying it out.

What should we wear for tree nets?

Comfortable clothes you can kneel and climb in are best, with trousers or leggings to protect your legs from rough rope. Closed-toe shoes help on uneven woodland ground. Take off anything that could snag, such as dangly jewellery, and tie back long hair.

FAQ

DO WE NEED ANY EXPERIENCE?

Not at all. Your Activity Leader shows you each knot step by step, and all the rope and cord is provided.

IS IT SAFE TO CLIMB ON A TREE NET?

Falls, rope burns and trapped fingers or toes can happen, so take care. Only climb on when the Activity Leader says the net is ready, and follow their guidance on how many people can be on it at once. Do not jump, bounce or stand up on the net. Do not climb the trees or the frame ropes. Climb in and out slowly, and keep an eye on younger children at all times.