Trees grow up and out every year. After deer season is over, visit every stand and loosen the straps so the tree doesn't embed metal. I will be carrying a ladder around my woods for a few days because tree stands are wrecking some of our sawlogs. I will have to do surgery to separate them, and I think these trees are ruined. Be a thoughtful guest when you hunt on the property of others. Don't use nails, spikes, or screws, and after you are done hunting, give the tree some breathing room. You can strap them in snug again next Fall.
Click the photos for a closer look.
3 comments:
Straps only
The top strap shown in the 2nd pic looks to be constricting the tree over several years. Do the other straps in either pic look to be causing damage?
As far as damage goes, is it really damaging to the tree as long as the cambium remains intact?
I suspect the most damage would be to the straps left in the elements season after season. I think I'd not trust weathered straps.
I've never stood in a tree stand and likely will not. My hunting has all been by tracking in the Western states.
The pressure is greater as the tree is growing, restricting the inner bark, cambium and sapwood. The tree will grow around the obstruction, requiring surgery to get the metal separated from the tree. The tree's quality will be severely compromised, and may be worthless due to the obvious damage and possibly rot introduced into the stem. I enjoy hunting from the ground. No need for tempting gravity to do me in!
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