Abstract: A drop sling lumber sorter apparatus comprising a frame assembly including a plurality of bays for receiving pieces of sorted lumber. Each of the bays includes a rotatable drive shaft mounted to the frame assembly and a plurality of elongated, flexible, laterally spaced slings having a first end and a second end. The first end of each sling is mounted to the drive shaft. A pivoting hook and retriever assembly selectively capture and release the second end of each sling to the frame assembly. A spool assembly is mounted on the drive shaft for each sling. Each spool assembly is capable of guiding the sling onto the rotatable drive shaft. The slings are reeled onto or reeled off of the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates. A tensioner assembly tensions the slings as they are reeled off of the drive shaft.