Anything that punctures the bark by definition damages the tree and
is a potential path for disease / critters, though the odds are that the
tree will endure and adapt just fine. You may wish to consider
a hanging arrangement. -- Should you decide to sink screws into the tree,
there
are many commercial tree salve products available to seal the affected area.

"Steve Holzworth" wrote in message
...

? Since it would be a light mass, would
small gauge wood screws into the trunk be OK, or will that damage the
tree?