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What's The Earliest You Can Drill A Tree And Still Get Your Bolts To Fit The Holes?

Ive done Aug 1 with the size bit you would normally use. Get it nice and clean though.

If you go one size bigger you could for sure do it now.
 
Depends on the climate and the tree. Some grow faster than others. Poplars here seem to get tight after a month. Water Oaks don't hardly seem to grow in at all.

But most trees in this vegetable steamer environment grow quick enough that I wouldn't try to just drill holes until early September.
 
Down here in the deep south, I wait until the last week in September to start pre-drilling trees.
 
Totally region and species dependent. I can’t prep holes before September here in north Texas.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
If they are presets, why not put bolts in when you drill? Getting them out after the season would then be the issue but Mark Cama tells me that's not a problem. He said he has never lost a bolt to a tree. Even after they have been in for multiple years, he says he still gets them out.
 
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