Screw-in steps safe in Pine Trees?

[Tall Paul]

I have always avoided using my screw-in tree steps (and stands too) on Pine trees.  

Heard a long time ago that steps would pull out of pine a lot easier.

Is this true?

[Shedrock]

I have never had a problem with pines.

[steadman]

Never had a problem here either. Other than the sap, gets kinda sticky.

[eagleone]

I have never had a problem either

[carbonflyr]

i use api lags and cranford ez climb steps in pines all the time with no problems except like steadman says the pine sap runs all over especially in warmer temps.

[lpcjon2]

I hunt the pine barrens of Jersey and thats all I use.No problems at all.

[huskyarcher]

Other than sap, ive never had any problems

[rambo1993]

I personally love hunting out of pines and my steps never budged or my stands move etc
Itll be fine

[David Mitchell]

I agree with all the above.  

[Bowwild]

I wouldn't be bothered by pines. I hunt in cedars and use screw-ins, strap-ons, and rails. Of course an eastern red cedar is more dense than white pine.  I wouldn't try to reuse holes if you take your steps out though -- on any type tree.

[jonsimoneau]

Never been a problem for me.  This year I bought a set of Lone Wolf Climbing sticks.  They work..but to be honest, I can be in the tree just as quick or quicker with screw steps.  With Screw steps..I only have to go up the tree once.  With the sticks...it is alot of up and down.  I still like screw steps.

[huntsfairchase]

No problem with the one piece screw in steps, but years ago when the folding steps were popular, I did have a couple "pull out". The old folding steps put pressure directly outward on the screw itself though.

[arrowflipper]

Like some above i never had one pull out of a Pine tree.Only problem i've had is the rausin runs out on the steps,and makes a dang mess if its warm.

[Follower]

Just don't reuse the same holes too many times.  Thats the only time I ever had a step pull out was when I had put a step in and out of the same hole a whole bunch of times.

[Geo S]

I never had any problems in pines, and they screw in easier.

[Tall Paul]

Thanks for all the responses.  You know how it is; you get something in your head and then 25 years goes by....LOL

[Biggie Hoffman]

The key to screw ins is the same for any tree. Be sure you get them all the way in. If you leave a 1/4" or so, leverage will teach you a lesson. Usually a painfull one. Especially if you are in the heavyweight division. I quit using them once I topped the 300# mark.

[gregg dudley]

Most privte property owners down here and all management areas forbid the use of screw-in steps because of the potential damage to trees.  The answer I get is that they create access for invasive insects.

I know that I flat out killed a pine tree from repeated use of an old amacker climbing stand with the spikes on it.  It took about 20 days of hunting a year for six-eight years, but I sure enough killed it.  That tree had so much sap run down the side of it that you could spot it in hte moonlight!  Magic spot. ALWAYS saw deer and never spooked anything.

[vtmtnman]

We use them in white pines here which is the softest of the pines with zero problems.Like everyone said the sap is the pain in the butt part.

[Al Natural]

I agree with Gregg.  Climbing sticks are faster to set up, safer to climb. The TMA regulates climbing sticks and does not recommend screw in steps.
Al