Here is one of mine. I use this setup for 3 of my other stands as well. Works good, lots of room and able to stay in it overnight.

Hiawatha, do you have any more pics of how this stand is constructed? I'm gathering ideas for SAFE homemade stands, I'm done nailing short pieces of 2x4's to a tree trunk to useas aladder.

No I do not have any plans or blue prints, just winged it and reinforced/braced it where i saw fit. From tree to tree i have 2 2x6's (leave some overhang) nailed into the trees one on each side of the trees, these will act as a brace for the floor. Then I rest 2 2x6's ontop of the first nailed planks and extend them out to my ladder. I nail one end to the tree and the other ends to the ladder. The ladder is made from 18ft 2x6's for rails and 2x4's for steps. Once that is done i climb up the ladder and lay 2x6's across the platform for the floor leaving a little gap for water to escape. I alsoscab another brace in between the ladder and the floor to keep close end of the floor supported.I also brace the bottom by nailing a plank/tree from the ladder back to the tree.Then i use 1x4's for a rail on the bottom and top all the way around. Spray paint some burlap and staple it up. For nailing to the trees i use some big daddy spikes like 7 inch or so. In time the ree will corrode the nails and break them off so will have to repair a bit every few years or so. Just by reading your idea there of climbing with little pieces of 2x4 nailed to a tree isn't the best. I have done it when in a bind but the steps will want to tip on you when u step on one side. It may not be bad initially but the nails will loosen up and cause u problems when u step on the steps.

Looks nice!!!