Securing a nest box to an oak tree

[Mel1959]

Can anyone tell me the best way to secure a squirrel nest box to an oak tree? My husband built a box that is very similar to the squirrel condo on the website "nuts about squirrels". We plan to but it in the "V" of an oak tree, but wanted to know whether others had secured it by straps or screws? If screws exactly how did you mount it? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[SammysMom]

We actually secured it to a 1 x 5 that extended above and below the box and then screwed the 1 x to the tree on top and bottom. We used very long screws.

[lennysmom]

We actually secured it to a 1 x 5 that extended above and below the box and then screwed the 1 x to the tree on top and bottom. We used very long screws.

We did exactly the same thing and they have lasted now over two years.

[BigNibbler]

Two heavy gauge (12 ? ) wood screws about 4 inches long.
I like to offset it it from the tree, so that I don't have to keep drilling into the tree if I want to add more or replace or upgrade.

You can mount a 1 inch board to the tree, that already has a 4x4 or a 2x4 attached to it.
That way you can mount things at right angles as well !