To help everyone out here is the link to the other post.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=143833#000000

I posted this on the other thread...... John, I'm looking at your idea and think it's great. I'm gonna do it but with a slight change. What do you think about cutting slots where you have the holes and then sliding a "ratchet type strap through them to connect them to the tree? It seems this would allow loosening for tree growth and hold more weight than tie wire. You could also slide more brush behind the strap as needed for additional cover. What do you think?

Jon thanks for the idea, I am going to give it a try.  Best of luck to you this fall.

Great idea... I've always just tied them to the bottom of my stand.

Good thinking.    

I have a friend that came up with something similar that bolted  directly to tree stands. He applied for a patent, and had it presented to a few companies, but they shot it down. The next year "The world's foremost Outfitter" had almost the exact same thing in their catalog.  

I think yours is a more versatile idea.

Bob

I am definatly doing this...great idea!!

Never thought of the artificial Xmas tree limbs.
Great idea and I just happen to have one that hasn't seen the light of day for years. Time to put it up. Thanks guys.

This weekend I cut some PVC sections, wired them to a tree and began inserting pine branches.  After a little experimentation, I found that if I broke the pine cuttings near the base, I could stick them into the PVC so that they hang downwards, instead of up and outwards (this keeps the needles/cover close to the tree where you want it).  My only concern is that the stem could break when it dries out... to fix, you could wrap the broken portion with some craft wire or twine.  
 

That is just flat awsome

Good stuff guys. Here is a low ladder stand where I used the PVC trick. It had to be this tree based on observations in past seasons. I was able to keep it low and hide it well.

Groundhawg I think the strap idea is even better. I almost went that route as well but I setup so many trees this way that the straps would be a little more expensive. Not a big deal though. If you guys decide to do this make sure ya drill the hole in the right spot and get the tie wire really tight (use pliers) so that they don't want to droop down on you if you are using heavy pine bought.

Nittanyrider looks like ya got it down. Good deal!

Pine tree boughs work good to brush in commercial ground blinds.

groundhawg, Got any pics of the pvc with slits cut in it for ratchet straps? Thanks.

1/4 away, I have some time off this week so will be making up a few. My idea is to make the slits so they will pretty much be parallel to the tree trunk so you would cut it 90 degrees from the angle/cut end that would touch the tree. Just thinking about what to use to make the slit, I think I'm going to use a right angle grinder. You could use a dremel,sawzall or hacksaw but it would take a couple cuts to get the slit wide enough to accept the strap. I know Harbor Freight has camo straps for pretty cheap and they should last for a few years if left up. One problem I'm having is coming up with "cover" material. You think a deer would reason that cattails shouldn't be in a tree?  

If your ratchet strap slot proves to be difficult to cut, you could also drill a slightly larger hole than Jon did and use a "rope ratchet."  (If you type those and add .com, you can see what they look like.)  You can buy them at most big box building supply stores.

I use them all the time for securing things in my truck or to a trailer.  They are not as cheap as Harbor Freight ratchet straps, but last a LONG time and are very convenient.

Just thought this was a possibility worth mentioning...