generally I set a block around the trunk for rigging, if I have to natural crotch I run the rope around the stem in such a way that the trunk is holding most of the load, however ive done much worse
that being said, I have legit equipment now, that job I mentioned was when I was first getting started, I didnt have any rigging equipment, had to actually use the customers rope (tower climber dude, he had thousands of feet of 5/8 or 3/4" line)
would I rig a 50ft hickory top off a 2" poplar limb nowadays? probably not, odds of dying are too high
ive done lots of sketchy stuff and lived to tell about it, im not saying it was smart or that anyone should do it, infact id ask that nobody ever does something half as stupid as what I used to do
I dont do that sketchy stuff anymore, ive never even been to the hospital for stitches or broken bones but I figure ive used 8 of my 9 lives so im taking it easy from now on