I BUILD NICE, STANDS USING ALL THREAD TO BOLT BEAMS TO TREES. EVERY STAND LASTS WITHOUT KILLING THE TREE. THE PROBLEM IS THE LADDER RUBS ON THE BEAM LIKE A VIOLIN. I ADD IN AN EXTRA PEICE OF WOOD WHICH TAKES OUT SOME OF THE HARMONICS, PLUS IS EASY TO RELPLACE EVERY TWO YEARS WHEN THE WOOD LADDER SAWS THROUGH IT. ANYONE WITH IDEAS TO ALLOW TREE MOVEMENT WHILE STOPPING NOISE AND WEAR?

To tell you the truth, I'm 100% against any kind of lag screws or screw in steps being used on trees. They can break off while putting them in or taking them out, and some people don't give it a second thought and just leave them in the trees. They can sit there for years until some logger cuts the tree and carries it to a mill. When a band saw hits one of the pieces of metal they explode the band saw. There have been a number of sawmill laborers that received serious injuries and some have lost their lives. A metal detector is suppose to catch the metal in the logs, but they do miss some. I know that doesn't answer your question, but I don't know the answer. Welcome to the board.

TO CLARIFY, THE PLATFORM IS HELD ONTO THE TREE BY ONE SINGLE ALLTHREAD ROD THAT GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE TREE AND IS BOLTED ON EITHER END. THE ENDS OF THE THREADS ARE DAMAGED TO PREVENT THE NUTS FROM WORKING LOOSE. THE LADDER IS TWO TREE TRUNKS WITH 2X4 NAILED ON FOR RUNS. THE LADDER IS THEN LEANED ONTO THE PLATFORM FOR AN EASY CLIMB ON FROZEN DAYS. THESE ARE BUILT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR LONG TREM USE. NAILS AND BOLTS HIDDEN IN TREES IS NOT AN ISSUE.

I have to agree with Timber on this one! Besides if
the wind was blowing that hard, the Palmettos would
drive me crazy.

If you leave these ladders attached year-round the deer have gotten used to them. The same as a squeaky limb on an old tree. Unless they get to you after a while and drive you insane don't worry about the noise.