You have your gun or your bow, the camouflage clothing, a first aid kit, food, drink and your trusted treestand. You’ve arrived at the general location you’ve chosen for the hunt. The only question as you enter the woods is which tree to choose for your treestand?
How to Choose the Right Tree
The most important consideration in choosing a tree for your treestand is safety.
One of the more obvious factors is sturdiness. You will likely want to climb 20 to 25 feet high to mount your treestand. Therefore, the tree you choose needs to be thick and sturdy from the trunk to about 20 to 25 feet in the air. You’ll also want to choose a tree that has grown straighter vertically.
Another important factor is tree bark. You’ll want to choose a tree that has coarse, gnarly bark instead of a smooth bark tree. Trees with rough bark make it easier to climb and to secure your treestand. Smooth bark trees can allow shifting of your treestand. That can be pretty scary when you’re 25 feet up in the air.
Although safety should be your first consideration, a good hunter also knows that a tree that provides good cover is ideal as well.
Types of Climbing Trees
What type of tree you choose to climb is based partially on preference. However, there are a few tips that some hunters agree upon.
Poplars are popular for their straightness and sturdiness. They also tend not to have branches until higher up the tree.
White and red oaks are preferred for the same reason. Oaks also tend to have softer bark, which makes climbing easier. But some hunters have noted that climbing oaks can be too noisy and can spook the deer.
Some hunters love pine trees for their straightness and cover. However, others find their bark so soft that it peels away during climbing. They are also prone to sway heavily in the wind and can be too sappy at times.
There are plenty of other trees that hunters love to climb and you’ll probably find your preference through experience. But it’s important to remember that safety should be your biggest consideration when choosing a tree for your treestand.
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