greetings, i would like to hang a bird feeder between 2 mature tree's (about 50 feet)and i need suggestions on a type of rope that can be stretched rather tight, hold up to the elements( UV, ice, snow) and not sag too much as the bird feeder is a larger type and once full will be rather heavy( maybe 10 pounds). also, i would prefer a rope that is green in color as to blend in with the surrounding trees thanks, chris
If you plan to tie this rope around the trees, you are likely to damage or kill the trees. Why not a post?
If you want green, the choice is rather limited to synthetics. Putting a rope around the tree long term can cause damage to the trees or at least result in ugly growth. It is also a nice easy path for squirrels to travel to the feeder. Why not consider a pole and guard system?
Parachute cord, lasts forever & is strong.
MikeB
The answer: None. But you can buy some aircraft cable that has green covering. You may have to look a bit. All rope of any type will weather out, untwist, stretch, or do something, and then one day just fall off. If you want to change it every couple of years, just use rope. The best for outside is called sisal, as it does not swell up and absorb as much water as manila. Not as pretty as colored synthetic. There are all kinds of synthetics, but I would suggest Polypropylene, as it does well outside. Sunshine is the biggest killer. If you can find something labeled UV resistant, that would be the best choice.
And if you do use colored synthetic, you will have to finish off the ends. This can be as simple as burning them until they melt with a match, or backsplicing and end splicing them professionally. You can even get clamps, or seize them (wrap them round and round) with small twine, but that doesn't weather very well, either. You want to finish the ends so they don't unlay and frazzle and look bad.
Hang a small weight on a string about two or three feet long under your birdhouse to keep it from swaying as much in the wind, and to help it stop once it starts swaying. As one person suggested, you might want to anchor them to something solid. I got a dead pecan limb that was pretty substantial, and mounted a bunch of different ones on there, so it gives a perch and a strong support, and looks cool, too. Whatever fits with your decor.
Steve
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i am planning to screw eyebolts into the tree one will anchor the rope and the other as a pulley so as to raise and lower the feeder for filling. the bird feeder will be strung up at least 20 above the ground and since it centered between the two tree's the squirrels will have to navigate a rather wobbly tight rope to get to the feeder. the feeder is designed to close the seed holes when a squirrel is on one of the perches. ( i already have one and it works as advertised...) can you recommend a good synthetic rope? thanks
+1 on the aircraft cable. The big box store ought to carry it and all the pulleys, connectors, etc you need. If your doesn't, any decent hardware store will.
There is a crimper for the button stops, but I've had good luck with vice grips.
Jim
Rope choices...
If you have to have rope, get dacron. Three strand twist is fine, cheaper than braided. With any of the synthetics, burn the end to keep it from unraveling. That or whip, rose and crown or other end knot; hemp needs one of the latter.
We had clothes line that was steel multi strand that had green plastic covering so no rust. Won't stretch and will hold weight. Held up in sunlight. WW
What's the point?
I assure you that won't bother the squirrels _at all_.
Just put it on a post.
Chris... Found at Amazon 100 feet $5 Green. Search as > plastic covered clothesline green< WW
Look for ANYTHING that is braided. That means you can see an interwoven pattern on the outside. If you get plaited (wound in a spiral), it will unlay, stretch, and just generally be a pita. As someone mentioned, parachute cord is good and cheap. 1/8" diameter, and STRONG! IIRC, Sportsman Supply, or something like that has military cord in rolls for cheap. Google military surplus parachute cord. This cord should be good for a couple of seasons. Burn the ends after cutting so it doesn't fray back. Easy stuff to work with, and the absolute best your tax dollars can buy. You can't get stuff that is anywhere this good at the Big Box stores.
Steve
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There is a style of clothseline that is made from a small diameter steel cable with a green plastic coating. I see previous posters have noted that possible damage to the trees may result; there are some precautions you can take to minimize that.
Agree-- the only thing that will stop the squirrels is a baffle like this-
And then only if the feeder isn't within 5 feet of a tree or building that they can access-- 10 feet if they can get some elevation on it.
Jim [oh- BTW-- If you have any squirrels at all forget about using rope. Aircraft cable is the *only* way to get your tightrope to last more than a year. Squirrels love chewing on anything people have touched]
it's fun to see them work hard to reach the feeder and then be denied any reward. i usually throw a couple of handfulls on the ground for the ground feeding birds, chipmunks and squirrels
i have three baffles on my other feeder and they dont work. i have watched them get around whilst clutching with their little squirrel hands, feet and tail. once they are on the feeder their weight closes the seed openings...everytime
i went to my local military surplus place and they have what appears to be 3/16 para cord in the color i want, .10 a foot and the guy says that if it breaks he'll replace it
Drill, then put a screw eye into a larger branch of each tree. Will do minimal damage, that way.
Harbor Freight has some rope that's green, comes in 100 foot pieces, and cheap enough.
Neatest thing I saw was a trapper friend of mine did. He took two equal lengths of parachute cord, and made two snares. He tied them off at exactly the same spot on the branch. When two squirrels got snared, they would fall and smack together repeatedly, and just chew the living crap out of each other until they died, or one got away.
Steve
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I like to hang a rat trap from the bottom of a feeder until it is just reachable by a squirrel. They will work harder when reaching upward, and when they reach the trigger, they are usually fully extended, and death is instant. You do have to use larger wire to keep the trap from twisting as much, or a pole like an old broom stick. But that's only if you want to get rid of the squirrels.
Steve
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