Ring Slings for Tree Rigging

Ring slings are rope slings with a ring at one end that choke around a stem to create a rigging point or to hold a piece being lowered. They are among the most-used pieces of rigging gear on a removal.

How ring slings are used

Wrap the sling around the stem, pass the eye through the ring and cinch it down. The choke grips the stem, so the sling holds its place on a vertical spar where a basket hitch would slip. Clip a block to the eye and you have a rigging point; tie the lowering line to the sling and you have a choker on the piece.

Pick a length that wraps the stems you usually work with and leaves room to choke, and a rope size matched to your block and the wood you are taking down.

Ring slings come in a wide range of sizes, from light 1/2 in versions for pruning and small tops to heavy slings for large removals. Many crews keep several lengths and sizes in the rigging bag, so they always have one that fits the stem and the load. Mark slings by size so the ground crew can grab the right one quickly.

Sizing and inspection

Every component in the system needs to be rated for the dynamic forces involved, which can be several times the weight of the piece. Browse rigging slings to compare sizes and types.

Inspect the rope for cuts, glazing and stiff spots, and the ring for grooves, cracks and deformation. Rig within the rated strength of every component, inspect gear before each job, and make sure the crew is trained in rigging practice under ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions.