RE: Tree Stand killing tree?
It shouldn't kill hte tree however it does open the tree up for disease once you breach the bark, most trees can handle this no problem what becimes the problem is the hunters who leave the stands and steps in the tees year around and sometimes for life. Most trees will struggle to survive extended time if the stands are left in place. A good hunter will hang and remove stands and let the trees heal year to year. As long as you hang around august and remove in the winter the spring growth will all but erase you presence.Often stand sites change year to year anyway but for the good spots (and I have a couple) where the tree is hot year after year as long as you do the work and pull hte stands each year you will be good to go.