This is my 1st year leasinga particular farm herein Illinois. Around the property, I have found a couple tree stands hung in pretty nice spots. I am trying to determine if these were hung previous to this year, or if they're newly hung (and therefore possibly being used when I'm not around). The bark on these mature oak trees has grown around the screw-in steps, roughly 3-4 centimeters growth total. My question is: How long does it take for the tree bark to show signigficant visible growth around steps and chains? Thanks guys.

Actually, the bark is dead and not growing. The cambium (transport system containing phloem and xylem for up and down water and nutrient movement) is directly beneath the bark is alive and "growing". When a tree is girdled, the cambium is severed completely around the circumference of the tree and it will then die. Regarding your question, I would surmise that the occurrence was not this year.

If the bark is growing around the steps they have been there for awhile. As for how long it's anyones guess. And, depends on tree species, soil fertility, competition, droughts, etc. Get the point?

I've had folding tree steps in a white ash tree at the edge of my field for five years now and the steps are beginning to turn upward at about a 60 degree angle. The good thing about these types of steps is that you can fold them and remove them while the non-folding steps are almost impossible to remove without damaging the tree once the bark grows around them. I will take them out after this year and move them a few inches to prevent them from turning upward.

Great information. Thanks fellas.

You can take an increment borer and tell the growth rate of the tree by taking a plug out and counting the growth rings. On an oak don't screw it in too far or you may not get it back out. I hate to see screw in steps as a lot of people won't remove them from the tree, therefore the potential of a sawmill incuring a lot of expense(or worker injury)when the blades hit them one day in the future.

One other thing to add...I have heard that the screws on a screw in step will rust through if left in a tree....I'd remove them and not use them...For this same reason I don't use wooden stands left in trees...I prefer a clinber or a lock on type...Good Luck