found a spot and is being tore up,big white oaks dropping like nothing i ever seen.only problem is the only tree i can put a lok on is bare and nothing behind it.Its a big oak tree that isnt bearing nuts.heres my question how do i add limbs and some cover,i read genes wensels book that said he uses fence staples,i cant put any holes in the tree,father inlaw thinks itll hurt them,any suggestions

get some of the leaf decorations from a craft store(or small branches with leaves) and add them to the tree stand with zip ties. They sell rolls of fall color leaves for hanging in the front of your house.

the tree is huge i got the stand up and itll break my outline just need some higher than the stand...

Wrap a bungie cord around the tree and stick the branches thru it to hold them in place.

If you use some oak branches, especially red oak; they will hold their leaves longer. Probably all bow season. I do this alot with Oak and white pine.

Just a word to support your FIL's opinion against "holes"...

The farm I own has at least a dozen trees that had nailed on, built-in-place treestands back when that was the only way folks knew it do it.  Every one of them is dead.  Many of them were the very best trees in the very best ambush spots on the place.

Maybe my experience is nothing but coincidental, but I ask the same of anyone who hunts here.  No nails.

If your oak is of the size I imagine as I read your post, you may need no "brushing in" at all if you are still, and time any movement perfectly.  I've had that work many times.

Anyway, I didn't intend to take your thread off-topic. Just thought it might make it easier to go along with the wishes of the guy who owns the land today..

Best wishes with your hunts!

Get a big rachet strap out it around the tree and add hemlock bows or pine, it will last a long time and help break up your outline! Shawn

Gatekeeper had a PVC pipe with holes drilled in it that looked really good. I think it wired or strapped to the back side of the tree and you put branches in the holes.

and get an old plastic christmas tree and zip tie a few of the branches to the bare branches.

I use a couple of webbing straps cinched to tree and pine boughs or branches stuck in them.