how short/small is too short/small(tree stands)

[Chris Shelton]

Alright guys I am the first to admit that I am not a tree stand whizz, so I am asking the experts . . .

As far as trees go, how small/short is too small/short?  I am looking at throwing a hang on up into a tree that is probably only 20 ft tall and about 10 inches around?  I am not really worried about the tree supporting my weight.  I wont go up that high, probably only 8-10 feet.  My real question is weather any of you have had luck in small trees lower to the ground?

I will try to get a picture soon . . .

[lpcjon2]

I have hung stands and killed deer out of those stands from 10ft to 30ft.The thing to consider is the type of tree(oak ,gum ,pine),the ground(swampy wet soil),the cover at that height,and always the usual wind speed in that area. Soft trees like pine sway in the wind,and you will be hanging on the side of the tree about 12-20".If the ground is to wet the tree may not be suitable.cover is self explanatory.Cedar trees I love.If it aint green up top dont hang a stand in it.Always think ahead of the norm and safety first.

[Zradix]

There is much wisdom in lpcjon2's comments.
Some stands NEED a certain dia tree to hold fast.
Please don't use a poplar tree. I've seen those fall all too often.

I'd dare say that without really good cover 8-10 foot up isn't high enough. At 20'+ you can get away with less cover. 10' up is easily within the most game's field of view.

[Bill Turner]

Most of my hunting has been done from stands 8 ft to 12 ft off ther ground. I've taken several deer out of 7 ft aluminum tripods. The older I get the closer to the ground I get. Height is not nearly as important as cover. The closer to the ground the better the shot angle. Comfort, cover and the ability to get into the stand without scaring all the deer in the area into the next county are all more important than nose bleed height. Course I have never been one to shoot straight when I'm worried about falling out of my stand.    

[Guru]

Remember Chris....

A bad tree in a good spot, is better than a good tree in a bad spot

Use available cover or enhance the cover around you by adding it yourself.

10" tree is plenty big enough    

[Chris Shelton]

Alright guys thanks for the responses here are some pictures just to make sure:)

 

That is the food plot I am working on!

 
And these are the trees right downwind of it.
That is about where I am planning on hanging!!  I think they are sumac!!!???  Or black walnut, I always mix them up, either way they are decently solid trees.

My first thought was to just stalk in but there is really not much ground cover!  Right now there is tall grass but that will go away.  So I think I will need to get in the stand about 1-2 and hunt till after dark, it will definitely be a evening spot! . . . I think, lol

[JimB]

If you stated correctly,10" around,that is more like 3 1/4" in diameter.That isn't big enough.The problem with trees to small is that they sway everytime you shift your weight.If that is truly only 10" around,it may not even be safe,let alone rigid enough.

[bolong]

I'm with JimB 10 inches around is awful small. The trees in the pic are not sumac, it doesn't get that big, not where I'm from.

chris. those look like walnut to me, and i think you mean 10" across, wich is still kinda small, but doable, i prefer a tree as big across as i am body wise,like maybe 16", but like said for every movment there is counter movment(lots of sway) lots of cover would help. just my 2 1/2 cents.

[pitbull]

I have one such set-up this year. I added an extra ratchet strap to it to secure the stand better and I will have to avoid hunting this stand with more than a 15 mph wind, but it is in a spot where I need to be and is all that is available. Another option for smaller trees is to use a ladder stand if you are going to hunt low. Tree in the pic looks like black walnut or butternut, good luck.

[Chris Shelton]

my bad guys, I mean they have a 10-12 inch diameter!  Not ten inches around, I dont have a D-tape to verify but they look to be about that size.  There is nothing in the pic to gauge size I realize that, but the third tree on the left is about 8 inches in Diameter, so that should give you guys a gauge.

There are sumacs here that we measured 22 inches with the D-tape, and about 56 feet high with a alitimeter.  That is some serious sumac, and it was identified by a tree expert.  I am not a tree expert, I know the basics, but both sumac and black walnut have similar bark when they get older, and they have similar leave counts, one is offset and the other is not, but I can never remember which is which, but it really doesnt matter.  Either way they are on the harder side of the wood hardness spectrum, lol

[KSdan]

The cover may not be there in the fall- but I like sets like that. If I needed a 10" tree, I would not be able to hunt trees here in KS.  I am 6'4", 220# and I hunt 6-10" dia. all the time.  Height of 10-15' is pretty common for me.  Back-cover and leaving plenty of limbs is key.  My better spots in ND are on shelter belts in trees not much bigger than 6" dia. with a set up of about 8-12'. I also think that ASAT or predator camo makes a BIG difference.  I have taken my share of mature caliber deer from tree set-ups like that.  

Last point to consider:  If you are sitting in the evenings on a food source, you may educate the deer when you exit.  I would be thinking about the exit strategy and as all my hunting- I rarely hunt the same stand twice.  

Good hunting
Dan in KS

[Chris Shelton]

ladder stand huh?  I have a 15 foot one, but I thought it would stick out too much!  Well I might just have to try both??

[reddogge]

They look OK to me to hang a stand in.  Just be careful on windy days or you will be hugging the tree all day.

[KSdan]

I see the latest info on tree size (after my post was listed).  I would hunt it in a heartbeat. All I use is a Lone wolf hang on.  I also would not be afraid of waiting until AM pink light to make sure the source was clear- then hitting it during the rut.  

My 2C
Dan

[Don Stokes]

I think your trees are Ailanthus, an imported invasive species. If there are multiple trees in a clump, this is probably what it is. Walnuts don't usually grow in groups. Ailanthus grows very fast, and is also known as Chinese sumac. It does get to tree size, which is very rare for native sumacs.