Nate's cut off tree method isn't top secret. It's mentioned in the mystery Mayhem in the Catskills by Van Valkenburgh a couple decades ago.
IS TOO! 🙂
I think it is always fun to use something a little different to traverse with. A surveyor's traverse point in my mind is somewhat of a signature. Usually on a project a certain party chief or LS running the show will set control points in a similar fashion or in a certain spot with similar characteristics. As surveyors we all think a like when it comes to setting control points or traverse points but what the individual uses can definitely be interesting. I've often thought of what could be a funny signature traverse point that in the future another person could find and say, "I know that guy!" but haven't come up with the perfect combo yet.
Along with Surveying in the States, I'm a topo/construction surveyor for the National Guard and I have used spent 50 cal. rounds for control points.
Several years ago while surveying some bottom land, we needed two more turns & improvised with spent high brass 12 GA casings we found by driving them down over Shagbark Hickory limbs we cut into about 12" lengths. The made some pretty nice center punched turning points.