Teepee Poles
Pole length should be at least two feet longer than the tipi height (four or more feet looks better)... except for the two smoke flap poles which can be a foot or so shorter and not as stout.
10 ft. tipi -- ~ten poles
14 ft. tipi -- ~fourteen poles
16 ft. tipi -- ~sixteen poles
18 ft. tipi -- ~seventeen poles
24 ft. tipi -- ~twenty-three poles
Most tipis consist of three strong main poles lashed together, with the rope included in your tipi bundle, at the height of the tipi apex. We use a double clove hitch; the rest of the rope hanging down from it. One of these poles will stand to the side of the door and two, equidistant, toward the back of the tipi. Use the spread out tipi to determine these lengths.
A set of intermediate poles is set inbetween the tripod (every three feet or so at the base) to fill out the shape (the more the rounder.) One of these intermediate poles (a strong one) is tied to your tipi "apex" with the webbing sewn permanently onto the canvas there. This lifting pole and canvas is then hoisted into position at the back of the tipi pole configuration.
Traditionally lodgepole pine is used for tipi poles, of four to five inch diameter at the butt end--but any stout and straight pole may be supplanted (the smoother the better.) Tipi poles may be finished with tallow, linseed, beeswax, or any type of water-resistant sealant... or none at all; depending on how fond you are of your acquired poles. Tipi poles may be straightened by heating them over a fire or in a steamer box, bending them over a hot rock, or patiently laying them in the sun--bent to straighten.
Tipi poles may be ordered through the Straw Bale Trading Post (subject to time, weather, and availability) for $25 each--(up to 28-ft. in length) cut to length, limbed, stripped, planed, and scraped. We will personally deliver to nearby states and nearby locations (distanced from North Idaho). We can arrange longer poles and transport to further locales.
Tipi Poles May be Acquired Yourself.
You may have your own supply area in mind... or you'd be surprised how easy it is to obtain a U.S. Forest Service permit! All they require is that you explain to them exactly where it is you'd like to thin for poles, what kind, how large, and how many... then they will write you a permit. Trees in clearcuts grow back close together, compete for sunlight and grow tall and straight and are perfect for tipi poles. The process of thinning these areas can take the place of natural fire thinning and allow the surrounding larger trees to grow better. Alder and aspen are two trees that grow straight and light. Though they will not last like pine--or cedar! they are worth experimenting with for their lightness and resiliency--especially alder. A great compromise would be to finish the tripod and lifting pole with lodgepole or the strong pine, and use a lighter, thinner pole for the intermediaries.
We will soon be adding details on how to make your own tipi poles...
