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Entire setup...5.25 lbs

donnieballgame said:
Any info on tree damage survivability? How far into the tree do you go?

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The drill bit goes ~2.5 inches deep. As far as tree damage, yes it is a wound, but mild damage. Think of it like a shallow cut, unless it gets infected with something nasty it's going to heal up no problem. It for sure increases the chance of infection over not drilling but how much is unknown but we can assume it is quite low. Foresters use increment borers to study trees which are long narrow drill bits that allow them to pull plugs of wood out so they can see rings and such. I have done a little research into seeing if any studies have been done about tree mortality due to their use but haven't found much, seems like it's so low that they aren't overly concerned.

Here is a link of some researcher asking other professionals for hard evidence on the matter:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.re...t_on_cored_trees_and_or_forest_ecosystems/amp

TLDR: "From our review we found from looking at all of the literature that we could access across multiple languages and over a century of research, that there are NO solid conclusions regarding the expected levels of damage to trees."

Here is a link to a forum where they are discussing care for bore wounds

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.re...fter_taking_cores_from_trees-any_thoughts/amp

TLDR: basically the two top answers say let it heal naturally.

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WHW said:
Thanks, I'm in. Looks like I'm going to order 4 - 2' rods for $55.60 plus $10 shipping. Total $66.60. Make three cuts on each rod for 12 cuts and have 16 rods. I never use more than 12 for a climb, so I don't need any more than that. I did the research and came with 3/8" = .375. Correct?
Click to expand...

Yes, 3 divided by 8 is .375


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donnieballgame said:
Any info on tree damage survivability? How far into the tree do you go?

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It is more damage than sticks, but @WHW has talked about using the same tree for YEARS without effect. @Scoutman has told me the same thing with pines out in Colorado, he has used this system for elk hunting out there for over a decade.


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Vtbow said:
Ud be surprised the number of maple tables and woodwork I've bhilt with tap holes in them for people. People love the character!
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Always happy to contribute.


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I can't imagine putting some fancy high dollar carbon fiber rods into a pine tree, yuck! At least you won't drop them on the way down lol!

Another issue on tree damage is potentially spreading disease, again, I'm no expert and don't know the first thing about tree disease, but they do talk about spurs spreading tree diseases, wouldn't a drill and bolts potentially do the same thing? On my father's property, they lost literally all of the ash trees due to some disease/bug, I think it might be the whole east coast, again I'm not sure on all of the details. As hunters, are we not the true conservationists? Do we want our children to have the same hunting experiences that we are fortunate enough to enjoy? I think it is worth consideration when selecting your climbing method. In my mind, if there is even a chance that I could damage a tree, then I'm not going to bother, even if that means carrying a few more pounds. Just food for thought.
 
donnieballgame said:
I can't imagine putting some fancy high dollar carbon fiber rods into a pine tree, yuck! At least you won't drop them on the way down lol!

Another issue on tree damage is potentially spreading disease, again, I'm no expert and don't know the first thing about tree disease, but they do talk about spurs spreading tree diseases, wouldn't a drill and bolts potentially do the same thing? On my father's property, they lost literally all of the ash trees due to some disease/bug, I think it might be the whole east coast, again I'm not sure on all of the details. As hunters, are we not the true conservationists? Do we want our children to have the same hunting experiences that we are fortunate enough to enjoy? I think it is worth consideration when selecting your climbing method. In my mind, if there is even a chance that I could damage a tree, then I'm not going to bother, even if that means carrying a few more pounds. Just food for thought.
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All those trees died because hunters used bolts or spurs? No. So many ways to die you can't avoid them all. Climb away.


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donnieballgame said:
I can't imagine putting some fancy high dollar carbon fiber rods into a pine tree, yuck! At least you won't drop them on the way down lol!

Another issue on tree damage is potentially spreading disease, again, I'm no expert and don't know the first thing about tree disease, but they do talk about spurs spreading tree diseases, wouldn't a drill and bolts potentially do the same thing? On my father's property, they lost literally all of the ash trees due to some disease/bug, I think it might be the whole east coast, again I'm not sure on all of the details. As hunters, are we not the true conservationists? Do we want our children to have the same hunting experiences that we are fortunate enough to enjoy? I think it is worth consideration when selecting your climbing method. In my mind, if there is even a chance that I could damage a tree, then I'm not going to bother, even if that means carrying a few more pounds. Just food for thought.
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Emerald ash borer is the bug that us an issue. They're actually recommending cutting down all ash trees in some areas.
donnieballgame said:
I can't imagine putting some fancy high dollar carbon fiber rods into a pine tree, yuck! At least you won't drop them on the way down lol!

Another issue on tree damage is potentially spreading disease, again, I'm no expert and don't know the first thing about tree disease, but they do talk about spurs spreading tree diseases, wouldn't a drill and bolts potentially do the same thing? On my father's property, they lost literally all of the ash trees due to some disease/bug, I think it might be the whole east coast, again I'm not sure on all of the details. As hunters, are we not the true conservationists? Do we want our children to have the same hunting experiences that we are fortunate enough to enjoy? I think it is worth consideration when selecting your climbing method. In my mind, if there is even a chance that I could damage a tree, then I'm not going to bother, even if that means carrying a few more pounds. Just food for thought.
Click to expand...
Emerald ash borer is the insect that is an issue, and a major one at that! They are actually recommending complete clear cutting of ash in some areas. I agree with the idea of being consciousness and responsible and controlling what you can. But, family has been tapping the same maple trees on the same property for 100 years and very few have become disease ridden. I'm not saying it does no harm, but peronally I'm ok with setting up 6 or a trees on my own property. I cut my own wood off of it anyway, if in 10 years they look sick, I'll cut them and burn them...I'm select cutting already. :)
 
I've been drilling this "practice tree" in my back yard for 13 years. I pull the bolts at the end of the season and re-drill it the next September. I never try to re-drill the same hole... just drill another one near one of the others. The holes close up each year and after a couple of years I can't tell where I had drilled. The tree has shown no ill effects from this annual drilling. I've also drilled trees multiple times for hunting without the trees showing a negative reaction.

Pictures illustrate the tree with 10 bolts inserted and a close up of a hole that was drilled September 2017. Hard to find a healing hole older than two years.

tqn2ZJb.jpg


u2vNKx6.jpg
 
donnieballgame said:
I can't imagine putting some fancy high dollar carbon fiber rods into a pine tree, yuck! At least you won't drop them on the way down lol!

Another issue on tree damage is potentially spreading disease, again, I'm no expert and don't know the first thing about tree disease, but they do talk about spurs spreading tree diseases, wouldn't a drill and bolts potentially do the same thing? On my father's property, they lost literally all of the ash trees due to some disease/bug, I think it might be the whole east coast, again I'm not sure on all of the details. As hunters, are we not the true conservationists? Do we want our children to have the same hunting experiences that we are fortunate enough to enjoy? I think it is worth consideration when selecting your climbing method. In my mind, if there is even a chance that I could damage a tree, then I'm not going to bother, even if that means carrying a few more pounds. Just food for thought.
Click to expand...

In that case, definitely don’t use climbing sticks or WE stepps then... I tear trees to shreds with those methods.


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Nutterbuster said:
So @Vtbow, I get tired of typing "carbon fiber bolts." You're gonna have to name your innovation. I suggest:

VTBowlts - give credit where it's due.

Pixiesticks - 'cause it's like you sprinkled them with pixie dust.
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How'd the week hunt go? Any pigs in the freezer?
 
Vtbow said:
How'd the week hunt go? Any pigs in the freezer?
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Notta. Hunt was mostly about testing gear. 90 degree highs still and not a breath of air. Pigs don't come out of the marsh good until it cools a bit and the acorns are dropping properly. We're getting close, but most of them are still green and good for nothing but squirrel chow

I know one or two spots that I could try, but I'm trying my best to make sure my ankle is back to 100% before I make the 2 mile walk back there. Did I mention it's also 90 degrees?
 
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