Rope anchor builders and a tree belay

Johnny has been up and down shit creek, and knows how shit gets done. You may be an expert, but your not "the" expert.

I mostly do what Wivanoff described, with one exception:

wivanoff wrote:I have also passed a bight around the tree and tied a bowline in the bight. Clip the leftover loop to close the system. Leave my end long enough so I can adjust length.

If you're going to pass a bight around the tree, an easier, faster, and perfectly secure solution is the buntline hitch, aka the stunsail tack bend. Big names for a very simple knot! netknots.com/rope_knots/bun… (of course you have to perform the indicated operations with a bight of rope).

I've never seen the knot budge under a load, but you can clip the bight as vivanoff describes just to be sure, or anchor it with an overhand around the standing part.

If you want to attach a guide plate to the anchor, then you need to put a butterfly loop on the rope at a convenient position before you tie to the tree.