- Joined
- Apr 13, 2009
- Messages
- 3,114
Hey everyone,
Little intro as to why I'm asking this... we had a cold front move in today, and with it came huge gales of wind, might get into the 30 to 40 mph range tomorrow. You know what wind does to trees, brings down the branches like crazy. I actually got some nice wood that I'm going to dry and and use for future projects. Anyways, on my way to my car from class I ran into a downd maple branch (not sure what kind maybe I'll post some pictures for I.D.). Then at home, in the back yard, we've got two elms or some sort. I'm not really sure which type they are since all the elms are hard to differentiate with out the samara on the branches. Both of the elms have dropped some pretty big branches from the wind tonight. So far, I've gone out and moved 3 green branches and 1, pretty large, dead one. I was messing around with the maple as well and decided to play with some of the elm too.
That's where the questions comes in.
I was gathering the little maple branches to make a small hand broom with, and I needed something to tie it off. I remembered that elm bark makes some nice long strips so I thought I'd try it out. It worked great, that stuff it pretty tough. I pulled really hard when I was tightening and it didn't give at all. So does elm bark make good natural cordage? Does it dry well when you tie the knots with it fresh? I collected a bunch of nice long strips off of the three green branches and hung them outside, once they dry can I wet them to make them more pliable so I can work with them?
I really know nothing of natural cordage, and it's on my list of stuff to learn about. Why not start know!? :thumbup:
What are some other good materials for natural cordage? What are the best method to braid or weave it? Any other info. that a newbie at natural cordage should know?
Thanks! :thumbup:
Orion
Little intro as to why I'm asking this... we had a cold front move in today, and with it came huge gales of wind, might get into the 30 to 40 mph range tomorrow. You know what wind does to trees, brings down the branches like crazy. I actually got some nice wood that I'm going to dry and and use for future projects. Anyways, on my way to my car from class I ran into a downd maple branch (not sure what kind maybe I'll post some pictures for I.D.). Then at home, in the back yard, we've got two elms or some sort. I'm not really sure which type they are since all the elms are hard to differentiate with out the samara on the branches. Both of the elms have dropped some pretty big branches from the wind tonight. So far, I've gone out and moved 3 green branches and 1, pretty large, dead one. I was messing around with the maple as well and decided to play with some of the elm too.
That's where the questions comes in.
I was gathering the little maple branches to make a small hand broom with, and I needed something to tie it off. I remembered that elm bark makes some nice long strips so I thought I'd try it out. It worked great, that stuff it pretty tough. I pulled really hard when I was tightening and it didn't give at all. So does elm bark make good natural cordage? Does it dry well when you tie the knots with it fresh? I collected a bunch of nice long strips off of the three green branches and hung them outside, once they dry can I wet them to make them more pliable so I can work with them?
I really know nothing of natural cordage, and it's on my list of stuff to learn about. Why not start know!? :thumbup:
What are some other good materials for natural cordage? What are the best method to braid or weave it? Any other info. that a newbie at natural cordage should know?
Thanks! :thumbup:
Orion
, but nothing beats learning by doing :thumbup::thumbup: