Tree support system and method

A tree support system comprising:

• an injection molded support block having a front, a planar back, a top end, and a bottom end, said front and back being spaced at least 1.0″ at said top and bottom ends;
• said back having cushion material affixed thereto, said cushion material including a pair of opposing laterally deployable cushion arms foldably connected to opposing sides of a central portion, said central cushion portion affixed to the back of said support block, said cushion material configurable from a fully folded configuration wherein one of said pair of opposing laterally deployable cushion arms is sandwiched between said central cushion portion and the other of said laterally deployable cushion arm thereby providing maximum local cushion thickness between said back surface and the tree, to a deployed configuration wherein said laterally deployable cushion arms are unfolded so as to project from opposing sides of said central portion to provide additional laterally projecting protection for the tree;
• a pair of strap-receiving loops projecting from the front of said support block, said strap-receiving loops including a first loop disposed in proximity to said top end and a second loop disposed in proximity to said bottom end;
• a cavity having a generally rectangular cross-section and an opening disposed on the front side of said support block, said cavity formed about a longitudinal axis disposed between approximately 40°-50° relative to the said back surface;
• whereby a plurality of support blocks are affixed in surrounding angularly spaced relation about a tree trunk, secured by first and second straps received in corresponding first and second loops and maintained in spaced relation from the tree trunk, with support legs received within corresponding cavities angularly extending radially outward and downward to ground engagement.