What I do is drive the t posts down about 3', then just slide a piece of pipe over that. I want to make sure the ropes don't get cut by rubbing on the t posts. I'll cut them off if we hit the emergency spillway this spring. 6" over that level is about right.
I keep the rope loose, and I've found that when they sink, they lay on their side and hold the others above it up. When I quit seeing the smaller limbs, I just add to them. I'm effectively getting a 10' to 12' diameter chia pet.
