Patent ID: 8132361

Claim:
A system for tying a tree to more than one stake, comprising: (a) a plurality of cross-brace sleeves, each sleeve comprising: (i) a tubular body having interior and exterior surfaces; (ii) at least one aperture extending between the interior and exterior surfaces of the tubular body, said aperture having threads; (iii) a locking mechanism having threads that mate with the threads in the aperture of the tubular body, said locking mechanism configured for engaging a tree stake disposed in the interior of said tubular body; and (iv) a plurality of cross brace retaining members on the exterior surface of the tubular body, each member having at least one elongated slot with an interior length that is perpendicular to a central axis of said tubular body, each slot configured for receiving and holding a section of a cross-brace or a tree tie; (b) a plurality of elongate cross-braces having first and second ends sized for insertion into the slots of said cross brace retaining members; and (c) a plurality of tree ties.