You can leave them up...... BUT.... things happen. I'm not talking about theft either. Trees grow, stands get grown in, screw in steps become permanent, rust attacks bolts(always where you can't see it) Things get weak. I left a hang-on up for 3 years now. forget the steps and the future of the tree. The stand site is no longer good. Patterns change. Unless you have lots of them out I'd pull them. Grease and oil up screws when you bring them home and wipe off the access. They'll last a lot longer. Next summer take a couple trips to check out new patterns, hang some stands, trim some limbs and have an excuse for getting out.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> The worst thing that ever happened to me from leaving a stand was having a bunch of hornets build a nest under the seat. I didn't see it and then let me know just before good light I wasn't welcome. YEEEEEEEOOOWWWWWWWW