Best Ways to Attach a Clothesline to a Tree
Some people still use a clothesline to dry their clothes. Much of the time it is because they like the fresh smell of naturally-dried laundry or they are conscious of energy costs. But installing a clothesline isn't always an easy thing to do. One of the greatest challenges in setting up one of these clotheslines is in attaching its ends securely. One answer to that problem is to attach your clothesline to a tree. Here's what to do and what not to do:
1. Attach to a Tree Limb
If you have a tree in your yard, and if the tree is sturdy, try attaching your clothesline to one of its limbs. First, you'll need to choose a limb sturdy enough that it will not bend when the weight of wet clothes on your clothesline pull on it. Next, you'll need to know something about tying knots. If you tie a knot that slips, your clothesline will likely sag more than you might like.
2. Attach to a Tree Trunk
If your tree doesn't have a limb close enough for you to reach, you can tie your clothesline to the tree trunk. However, don't attach it with a nail or staple you have to drive into the tree. This will likely cause sap to run out of the tree, and may even kill the tree. Instead, simply tie the line around the tree, above a lower branch if possible to keep it from sliding down the trunk.
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![Garry Steck]()
Garry is a contributing writer for DoItYourself.com. He has a huge range of experience researching and creating home projects, from carpentry, to air conditioning, to home irrigation systems.![H.R. Helm]()
H.R. Helm is an accomplished DIY craftsman. He has been DIY since childhood and is now a septuagenarian. He is experienced in wood and metal construction, having designed and built several houses and metal buildings. He built every permanent building on his current homestead and did all the plumbing and electrical work. He has several years experience as a professional cabinet builder, and he is an accomplished auto repairman, having operated an auto repair business for many years. He currently has a home shop where he sharpens and rebuilds saws, repairs lawn mowers, mobility scooters, hydraulic jacks, and anything else that comes along. He also builds custom tools for metal working. Invention prototypes are another of his many accomplishments. He owned and operated a manufacturing business building Compact Utility Vehicles for homeowner use. H.R. enjoys making jams and jellies during fruit season along with cooking meals. He is committed to outdoor cooking in a Bar-B-Q pit he welded together several years ago. He maintains fruit and nut trees along with helping his wife with a vegetable garden. He farmed commercial garden produce for several years. It helps to have over 50 years of farming and ranching experience. Employment/Education Highlights ASE Certified Master Auto Technician Certified Welder Cross country truck driver -- over dimensional freight Design Engineer/Project Manager for injection molded plastic company Bus Driver/Substitute Teacher Inventor with two patents (weight training – anti-rollback for manual wheelchair) BS in Industrial Technology
