Have you ever thought about the importance of cordage in your daily life? It’s surprising how often we take for granted the humble string or rope that keeps our homesteads running smoothly. But what if, one day, you find yourself without a spare coil at hand? Don’t worry, there is a simple solution to this problem. Many plants growing on and around your property can be used to make cordage, providing you with an easily accessible source of plant fibers.
Terms Used in this Article
Retting is a crucial step in creating cordage from plant fibers. To successfully separate the fibers, you need to soak them for just the right amount of time. This process involves submerging the fibers in water, allowing it to soften and swell the plant cells. As the cells burst and break down, the fibers naturally begin to separate. However, there’s a fine line between not soaking long enough and soaking too long.
If you remove the fibers too early, they’ll remain tough and resistant to separation. On the other hand, if you leave them in for too long, they’ll disintegrate into a pulp in your hands. Once retted, many fibers are then scutched and hatchelled to remove impurities and comb out any tangles. This process allows for further processing, such as spinning fine threads from flax or cotton, or twisting and braiding sturdier fibers into ropes.
Plants With Leaves That Are Good for Cordage
While exploring the world of plant-based cordage, it’s essential to recognize that not all plants produce equally strong or durable fibers. Certain species, such as daylilies and corn husks, are well-suited for crafting lightweight twines suitable for everyday use in the home, whereas others like yucca and agave offer more substantial and robust fibers ideal for creating heavier twines and ropes capable of withstanding greater tension.
Cattails
Cattails (Typha spp.), often referred to as ‘nature’s supermarket’, offer a unique combination of edibility and versatility. Not only are their leaves edible, but they’re also an excellent source of cordage. The fibers within fresh new leaves may not be as robust as those found in mature, slightly dry leaves towards the end of the growing season. For this reason, consider harvesting older leaves for rope-making purposes.
Alternatively, you can collect last year’s leaves in the spring when they’ve had time to ret and become easier to work with.
Palm
When it comes to finding versatile and accessible natural materials for crafting, palm leaves from the Arecaceae family are a fantastic option. The fibers within these leaves can be used to create a moderately strong cordage material, making them an ideal choice for those living in warmer climates where palm trees flourish. With a simple ladder nearby, you’ll have the means to harvest and process this natural resource with ease.
To take your cordage game to the next level, consider twisting or weaving multiple strands of palm cord together to create a thicker, more robust rope.
Daylilies
When it comes to daylilies, most people think of their ornamental value, but surprisingly, these plants offer more than meets the eye. Not only are they edible, but the leaves themselves can be used to create a durable cordage material. To harvest this resource, look for semi-decomposed leaves at the base of the plant in early spring. These leaves will have undergone natural retting over the winter months, either under snow or rainfall, making them ready for use without further processing.
Simply separate the fibers and process them into cord.
Corn Husks
Corn husks (Zea mays) are surprisingly versatile, boasting a fibrous quality that can be transformed into a lightweight string. Suitable for everyday household and kitchen applications, this twine is an excellent choice for securing items or wrapping presents. However, it’s essential to recognize its limitations in outdoor settings.
While aesthetically pleasing, corn husk twine is not suitable for heavy-duty gardening tasks, such as binding bean trellises or other structures that require withstanding harsh weather conditions.
Yucca
When harvesting yucca (Yucca spp.) leaves, it’s often the case that those collected near the base of the plant have already undergone retting due to winter moisture. If the leaves are instead dry and brittle, a simple process can help restore them. Begin by submerging the leaves in warm water for a brief period, allowing any loose, lighter material to separate from the leaf itself. This gentle soaking can work wonders in reviving the leaves, making them suitable for processing.
Sisal Agave
Similar to yucca, the leaves of sisal agave (Agave sisalana) are surprisingly fibrous. This unique characteristic has been leveraged for centuries, allowing for the production of rope and twine on a massive scale. The Inca and Mayan civilizations were particularly adept at utilizing this plant’s versatility, applying it not only to crafting cordage but also incorporating its fibers into cloth for clothing, headwear, footwear, domestic items, and even paper.
Stems and Canes Good For Making Cordage
When it comes to creating cordage, it’s only logical to look towards the strongest plant parts: stems and canes. These robust components are often packed with valuable fibers, known as bast fibers, which reside within the phloem of these sturdy structures. Certain species boast fibrous stems and canes that lend themselves perfectly to being processed into rope. Keep in mind that some may demand specialized equipment for handling, such as stinging nettles and blackberries.
Grapevine
For crafting grapevine cordage, it’s essential to work with very young and pliable vines, typically found in early spring. To create the rope-like material, simply twist or braid the gathered vines together, taking care to determine the desired thickness for your specific project. Fresh, damp grapevine cordage is ideal for applications such as securing woven baskets or lashing structures like trellises together.
As it dries, the cordage transforms into an incredibly strong and resilient material that’s challenging to break.
Flax
For millennia, flax (Linum usitatissimum) has been a valuable resource for crafting cordage and fabric. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed evidence of its ancient use, with the oldest known flax fabric dating back an astonishing 30,000 years to a cave in the Republic of Georgia. The fibers extracted from flax stems boast remarkable strength, up to three times that of cotton, making them well-suited for twisting and plaiting into rope.
To prepare these fibers for use, they require a multi-step process involving retting, drying, scutching, and hackling before being twisted or woven into cord.
Hops
Hops (Humulus lupulus) share a common ancestor with hemp, and their bines – to use the correct term instead of ‘vines’ – can be processed in much the same way as flax. This allows for two main harvesting methods: gathering young, more delicate bines at the onset of the growing season, or waiting until autumn when mature bines are ready. The former yields a lighter, more fragile product, whereas the latter provides coarser, heartier fibers.
Honeysuckle
When working with honeysuckle vines (Lonicera spp.), it’s essential to choose them at the right stage of maturity. Opt for plants that are around a year old but less than three years old. If you harvest them too young, they’ll likely fall apart in your hands, while mature ones may be too stiff or prone to snapping. A good tip is to select vines that have multiple uses, like haskap (L.
caerulea), which not only produces delicious berries when ripe but can also be transformed into rope after harvesting. This hardy honeysuckle species is perfect for gardeners looking to cultivate versatile plants.
Hemp
When cultivating cannabis for medicinal purposes, you’re likely familiar with the fibrous stems of Cannabis sativa. These stems can be processed in a similar manner to flax, and then twisted and plied to create a remarkably durable and long-lasting rope. The shorter fibers that aren’t suitable for cordage-making can be set aside and woven into fabric for various household uses.
Milkweed
Milkweed’s versatility extends beyond its importance as a monarch butterfly habitat. The stems of Asclepias syriaca can be processed to yield a fibrous material similar to hemp or flax. This fiber can be spun into thin threads or yarn, making it ideal for crafting soft fabrics. When woven together, the fibers form a sturdy cord suitable for various applications. However, handling milkweed requires caution due to its toxic sap.
Many individuals have experienced severe contact dermatitis rashes as a result of exposure. To minimize risk, it’s essential to wear protective gear such as long sleeves, gloves, and goggles when working with this plant.
Stinging Nettle
Beyond its notable benefits in providing nutritious food and medicinal properties, the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) also boasts an impressive array of uses. Its bast fibers are particularly remarkable, as they can be processed to create a sturdy thread. In fact, when spun and woven into cloth, these fibers prove stronger and softer than linen, while offering even greater durability and longevity compared to cotton when twisted into ropes.
Blackberry
When tackling the notoriously prickly Rubus fruticosus, also known as blackberry bush, it’s no surprise that its fibrous stem often leaves a lasting impression – literally, thanks to those vicious thorns! To harness this resilient plant’s cordage potential, wait until late spring or early summer when the vines have reached maturity but before they start flowering. Donning thick leather gloves for protection, carefully remove the leaves and thorns with a sharp knife.
Next, cut the vine close to the root to maximize fiber yield. Strip off the outer bark, then process it by retting and hatching to transform the fibers into usable cordage.
Dogbane
For centuries, indigenous North American communities valued Dogbane’s (Apocynum cannabinum) remarkable fibers. When twisted or woven into a cord, these fibers exhibit exceptional strength and durability, even when exposed to water. Two harvesting windows exist: in early spring, just as new growth emerges, or in late fall after one or two frosts have tempered the stalks. Processing requires some care, so be sure to harvest and prepare the dogbane accordingly.
While handling this plant, it’s essential to exercise caution due to its toxicity; always wear protective gear and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.
Common Rush
While Juncus effusus is commonly used for roofing and crafts, its stalks also hold a secret: they’re excellent for creating cordage. In fact, by weaving or twisting multiple strands together, you can craft incredibly resilient ropes that rival those made from other plants. This versatile property makes Juncus effusus an attractive option for anyone looking to create strong yet sustainable rope solutions.
Jute
Native to tropical and subtropical regions in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, Jute (Corchorus olitorius) is a versatile plant that can be transformed into a moderately strong cord. While it’s possible to create a single rope from Jute, twisting or plaiting multiple strands together enhances its strength and durability.
However, Jute cord is not ideal for heavy-duty applications such as dragging or pulling, and is better suited for coiling or weaving into intricate baskets and floor coverings.
Thistle
When it comes to crafting cordage, bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) stands out as a particularly useful option among many types of thistle. Regardless of the species you choose to work with, the process begins by cutting the stem at its base and removing the flowering head. Next, manually pull apart the stringy fibers and allow them to air dry. Once fully dried, twist the fibers together to create twine or rope.
Plants With Bark Good For Cordage
While transforming bark into cordage, don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll be working with the outer, coarse layer. Unless you’re a true outdoors enthusiast with a taste for the unconventional, like Rumpelstiltskin from the Brothers Grimm. The secret to successful rope-making lies in harnessing the inner bark, specifically the secondary phloem, which is where the magic happens.
Elm
For those who have an elm tree (Ulmus spp.) on their property, a valuable resource for fiber production awaits. During the late spring and mid-summer seasons, carefully select 1/4- to 1/2-inch diameter branches to harvest. Next, remove all leaves and twigs from the chosen branches before proceeding to remove the bark. A sharp knife is essential for making precise notches at one end of the branch, allowing you to peel away the bark in long strips.
Once you’ve obtained the fibers, ret (retting) and hatchel them to prepare them for use. This traditional method of harvesting elm, known as coppicing, has been practiced for centuries.
Cedar
While many people are unaware, not all trees referred to as cedars in North America are actually true cedars. These trees belong to the Pinaceae or pine family, specifically within the Cedrus genus. Ornamental varieties such as Deodar cedar (C. deodara) and Cedar of Lebanon (C. libani), native to the Mediterranean, have been introduced to North American landscapes. When harvesting these trees for cordage purposes, wait until springtime or summer when you can collect two-inch diameter branches.
The process is similar to that of elm, but the key difference lies in working with the inner bark rather than the outer layers. While unprocessed fibers can be used for basic binding tasks, further soaking and processing are required to refine them into usable cordage.
Basswood
Basswood (Tilia americana) calls the eastern half of the United States home. When harvesting bark from this species, it’s crucial to focus on dead or fallen branches with a diameter of about 1/4 inch. Avoid taking bark from living trees. The bark will naturally peel off in long, thin strips, which can be used as is for creating cordage. Simply twist and ply the fibers to achieve the desired thickness, whether that’s for a specific project or general use.
Willow
When it comes to creating cordage, the inner bark from willow branches (Salix spp.) is a natural choice. To harvest this material, wait until spring or summer and select suitable stems. Remove the dark outer layer using a sharp knife, taking care not to damage the underlying bark. Next, ret and hatchel the inner bark before shaping it into rope through twisting, plying, or braiding.
As you work with these branches, be sure to set aside some of the smaller twigs for another important project – making homemade aspirin. This will come in handy after a long day of processing and harvesting.
Miscellaneous Plants
While most plants can be categorized as either flowering or non-flowering, there are some notable exceptions. One such plant is cotton, which doesn’t neatly fit into these two groups. This unique characteristic sets it apart from other plants that are commonly classified according to their reproductive habits.
Cotton
Cotton, a type of Gossypium sp., stands out from the aforementioned categories as its fibers are harvested from the bolls that protect the plant’s seeds. The long fibers are carefully separated from these casings and then twisted into strings or threads. These can be woven into fabrics or braided and twisted into ropes, showcasing its versatility.
