Tying an anchor rode or line on shore

What courtesies and precautions should be observed when tying a rode to some one's tree. crossing a beach or tying off around a rock or rocks on shore? We did this in St.Vincent and stuck branches in the sand and left a note on a tag on the rode wrapped around a tree. We did not want any one tripping on the rode or destroying some one's favorite tree. Locals were OK with this . There must be some best practices like asking permission from a property owner. Any advice?