Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

This is going to sound like a silly question but....Is there a way, or has anybody done something to the "teeth" on the Summit Viper stand to prevent damage to the tree when they climb up? Imthinking likecovering them somehowwithout compromising safety.

Here is my reason: I have permission on a large chunk of land. The landowners are elderly and very "set in ways". They are tree farmers and on their rules it says NO DAMAGE of any kind to trees. Even though the trees I'd be in arent the ones they harvest, rules are rules. There are so many great spots for using a climbing stand on this land but Im afraid to even minimally hurt the bark on a tree by climbing it. This is in a state 14 hours from me so using a climber and being mobile would be great.

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Bite = Safety.... As far as tree damage is concerned, the Lone Wolf bites worse than the Summit and I can't tell I've even climbed them after a couple months. They bite so you don't go sliding down the tree! I wouldn't recommend changing anything with the teeth, they are designed like that perposely.

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

You absolutely have NO worries about damaging a tree with a Summit... Like Wolf said up above, I can't even see where I've climbed the tree even before I unhook the thing... They in no way shape or form damage trees.

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Great to hear, thanks for the input guys!

I just worried that it would do something that they'd think was damage. Ive seen trees that looked like someone took an axe to them every few feet. Ive never paid attention to what my Viper does so just assumed it would do the damage.

D

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Those are probably people using those old "blade" style climbers; trust me, look the next time you come down and from the evidence alone, you'll swear you were never in that tree!

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Well I have a lone wolf. I can easily see the marks from trees i've climbed, weeks even months later.

So I think Dtabor has some genuine concerns.

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

I would honestly give you a $100 bill if you could walk into the woods and tell me which tree I'd been in five minutes after I got down with either of my Summits... And I'd even tell you which area I was in within a 100-yard radius!

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

My mini viper does leave marks. They are slight but they are there. It is not enough that it will damage the tree, in market value or health. I do not think the damage is great enough to let any form of damaging agent into the tree. Maybe you should climb a similar type of tree that you would be climbing on their property, hardwood and or pine, and send some pictures to the land owners. Explain that the impressions in the bark are minor and that you want to make sure they are all right with it. That will show your concern for their land and abiding by there wishes. That might be enough to let them grant you permision to use the climber.

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Maineac,

Maybe your are right. It might be worth doing that. We are heading out late summer to do some scouting anyway, would be a good time to talk to them about it. We mentioned it to them last year but just couldnt describe well enough what the climber does. Maybe pics would show them and let them decide from there.

I think maybe the problem would come down to what is superficial and what would hurt the tree in their eyes. I would hope that in their years and years as tree farmers that they would know what is ok and what is harmful.

Thanks again for everyone's input and suggestions.

D

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

I agree that the summit doesn't leave big gouge's in the tree's ,it does leave small mark's but they'll disappear quickly.But NEVER cover the teeth with anything ,or you may be the one that get's hurt and not the tree.
But if your really concerned you may want to use a ground blind .But I'd definately discuss this again with the owner .

nubo

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

The newer summits cause a bit more damage than the older ones do, but it is still mostly superficial.

With my older cobra stand, which requires a bit more bite to hold since it is a hand-climber style as well, will only significantly mark some of the white oaks which already have a very delicate outer bark. It looks a lot worse than it really is, but you can tell something happened to it.

It's probably a good idea to bring your climber and show them...er...rather...ask them to see what they think. Showing them that your climber does not damage the tree significantly will also avoid them blaming you for damage that you don't create!

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Cover airfare and expenses and i'd take you up on this challenge!

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

I have owned a Summit Goliath for about 4 years now and I would say that damage to the tree is a definate concern. I can easily see where and what trees I have climbed after just once up and down. In fact that is what I look for if I am unsure in the dark. Does it kill the tree?? Not to my knowledge.......but I could be wrong because it would take many years for a good size tree to completely die and fall over.

This is especially true if you climb a smoother bark tree and also when I get to my end point I give both top and bottom a little "rocking" back and forth with some weight on them for a little extra "dig" and security. I am solid as a rock up there but it surely DOES damage the trees. I don't "rock" or do anything special on the way up or down and the marks are very clearly seen.

My buddy has an older API Grand Slam with a serrated V blade on it and that thing absolutely mangles trees!! He has a tree he likes to climb and it looks like a flock of woodpeckers hits one side of the tree every day all year.

I would be very cautious if you think they may freak about tree damage. Some people have different definitions of what they consider "damage"

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

My Viper also leaves visible markings. I doubt it hurts the tree. A buck makes much worse rubs on trees anyway. You'd be doing them a favor by trying to take them out. Use that angle.

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

Maybe I just don't weigh as much as you guys do. ;)

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

The only caveat being if you can't find it, then you pay me $100. ;)

RE: Summit Viper...Tree damage
 

I had the same problem with landowners. No damage to the trees, and no trimming branches, either for a stand or for shooting lanes. So I had to use a ground blind. They're the ones with the land, so I was happy to oblige. I figured it was better to make them happy and follow their rules, than to sit at home during the season!!! I'd probably be the same way if I spent a bunch of money on land. Good luck!