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Trimming lanes for next fall

doublerack

doublerack

Active Member
I'm the type that likes to do as much trimming as possible in the spring before things get too bushy. So, I was doing some turkey scouting on a new farm this past weekend. Unfortunately, no signs of turkeys in the area, but I was encouraged by the deer sign.
In fact, I found a perfect big mature cedar tree I want to hang a stand in next fall. Trying to save myself the hassle of fighting the mosquitos and hot weather
while hanging and cutting shooting lanes in late summer, I thought I would do all the trimming in it this coming weekend. Then all I have to worry about in the
summer is hanging my stand. Only problem is, I've never hung a stand in a cedar tree before. There are several branches on the way up that may need to be cut.
My questions to your folks are, Do you use screw in pegs , climbing sticks, or just try to climb the branches? I'm thinking I'll do a combination of pegs & branches,
but I wasn't sure if the pegs really damage the health of the tree. Need some advice.......
 
I've never hung a stand in a cedar, but your question makes me wonder about using screw ins. As sappy as cedars are, the area around the screw might get soft over time and lead to the step pulling out. I've seen that happen in soft maples. I don't like using branches anymore, had some that have looked solid break on me.

I personally don't think the steps harm a tree. Well... as long as they don't get left in and swallowed by growth. Might be hard on a saw.
 
Large Red Cedar trees are great trees for stands with a little trimming. The branches are very stong and I use them in combination with screw in steps. Just keep your foot placement close to the tree and don't step out too far on the branch.

They can also provide good cover for you when all the other trees have shed their leaves.

Place some of the cut branches with your hunting clothes and you will have some natural cover scent as well.
 
A big Red Cedar is my choice of trees great cover ! If you pick your steps right not many screw in steps needed. Just dont trim too much limbs won't grow back .
 
What Ghost said... big cedars make excellent stand trees. In fact, I have gone to some length to reshape an area on my farm this spring to funnel the deer past a cedar I will have a stand in this fall. I already have the tree prepared in terms of shooting lanes and stand placement. I will use a combination of strap on ladder steps and the actual branches. I removed the dead ones, leaving only sturdy live branches to use.

I am even going to "release" two other cedars by cutting other trees back so they grow faster and can get big enough in a few years to also be stand trees.
 
Ditto to all said above. They're great for cover, and the branches make excellent ladder steps if you're careful. It does, however, take a big cedar to not get a bit of sway when you're in the stand.

NWBuck
 
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It does, however, take a big cedar to not get a bit of sway when you're in the stand.

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This reminds me... you can also improvise and use a medium or small cedar with a ladder stand setup. Then you are not relying on the strength/size of the tree as much as normal, but you are still getting the cover benefits. One of the sneakiest stands I ever had was a "perch" on top of an old cedar that had been hit by lightening or something and was only half there. I routinely had deer within 10 feet of that tree that never had an idea they were in trouble until it was too late. I was only about 13'-14' off the ground, but I had excellent cover.
 
If you are worried about damaging the tree, you can always use strap on tree steps. I have used them many times in the past for hunting all sorts of different trees. I have hunted many cedars in my life and if you know where the stand will sit and can cut the limbs accordingly to get in it. You shouldn't really need any steps. In the past it seems if I need steps, it is the first 2 at the base of the tree. One thing about Cedars though is it is really easy to cut too many branches and it will look like a big hole in the tree. If you try to cut all of the branches around you so you can shoot behind you on either side of the tree, you usually screw yourself over. I usually just have it so I can shoot about a 45 degree angle back to my left and right while I am standing in the stand facing straight out. That way I have all the great cover behind me. It kind of limits you, but it sure makes you invisible to deer. The funniest treestand I ever saw was a guy cut every limb on a cedar tree so he could use his climber in it and he cut it all the way up about 20 ft, so there was not one branch the whole way until the remaining 10 ft, it looked retarded and took away the beauty a good cedar has
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I'm the type that likes to do as much trimming as possible in the spring before things get too bushy. So, I was doing some turkey scouting on a new farm this past weekend.

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Is this a new property that you own, or a new property that you have permission to hunt?

I like to discuss my tree trimming, tree stand and step options with the landowner prior to doing anything on someone's property.

I found out the hard way many years ago that some property owners don't like having there tree's trimmed.
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And some have frowned on screw in steps.
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Is this a new property that you own, or a new property that you have permission to hunt?


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Good point. It's kind of a lease. Part of the agreement is that we can use the ground for pasture for cattle, hunting, whatever, as long as we clear out some of the multifloral rose and update the fences. Definitely something I will need to clearify before I go in trimming limbs.
 
You sould ask Saskguy, I think he hangs stands in dem der big pines up nort aye.

A Cedar might be a good spot dont cha know and if yer lucky you might get a crack at da turdy point buck.
 
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