A day on the Homestead | How to Fell a Tree

[@clayhayeshunter]

I'd like to add that I have nothing against electric cars or tofu... well, maybe tofu 🤣

[@deneseiB]

🙌 ...or sprouts on avocado toast~😆

[@loboalamo]

Electric cars will cremate you, it’s happening. There is not even 30 seconds to get out after an accident. 6000*F

[@AustinMuellerHandmade]

😆

[@bearussy]

The amount of people who think electric vehicles are better environmentally have never had to witness the amount of demolition that goes into getting the rare earth elements that make up their battery. It's difficult for the average person to conceptualize what is not right in front of them.

[@coryneartheprecipice]

We all have something against electric cars. The environmental impact of their “E Friendly” is ghastly. We’ve all seen what a lithium mine looks like.

[@frankbarbagallo9399]

I’m 71 years old and still love splitting my firewood by hand and still building bows! Love it!

[@williamsdesigning1949]

Spread the wisdom, Clay. I hope to join you in the homestead community one day.

[@jonathanbennison9220]

10:16 Splitting Firewood has always been one of my favorite things to do. From summer camp, as a city kid, to living in small town rural. British Columbia now, in the interior, mountain forest, under the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Splitting firewood is instantly rewarding, excellent exercise, worth thousands in free cathartic release, and the best defense against Canadian winters. When the power goes out and the highway is snowed in, I absolutely love knowing that I can keep the kids warm and dry, with that woodpile we worked hard to set aside. Great video. Thanks Clay. (Absolutely right about the backcut . Good advice seems to be to have it be slightly above the face cut, to help encourage the tree to fall forward.

[@withoutfurtheradoforever]

That's the right attitude, Clay. You can't fix stupid.

[@banud1142]

I like the freedom you all have in your country to go into the forest and cut down a tree for your use....i think cutting a tree thats already dead is not wrong....and i imagine that if everyone who needed wood had to go cut down a tree in the forest and haul it home etc there would be more trees in the world😊😊😊

[@JohnDrummondVA]

I enjoyed watching this on a quiet saturday morning.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@OutdoorsAllie]

Good stuff Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Appreciate it!

[@Gunn4u]

Your farmer cuts work . They are not optimum, but they work. Its all good . I lived in , and logged in Idaho for 27 years . Im a professional so I cant be too hard on you. Good job

[@matthewdbranson]

Clay this was a damned good video, and I absolutely love the messages you shared within. Modern conveniences have taken away the satisfaction of overcoming difficulties and providing for oneself. its also made things so easy that we have tremendous leisure time, which when misspent often cause the anxiety that so many face, I know its the case for me! So I've taken up several hobbies to allow me to keep my hands busy and my MI d at ease. Hiking, woodworking, blacksmithing, and home improvement. These have been huge for me and my mental, as well as physical health!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Well said!

[@conorcullen1]

I'm a certified tofu eater and I love your channel and philosophy. Thanks Clay for the great videos you share with us

[@violastar1]

Loved this video, love your other ones too. I just liked the simple explanation of how your way of doing things is better for the environment than most of those preaching about it. The environment never had any issues when people lived the way you are trying too. I wish I hadn't become so soft over the years and dependent on the convenient lifestyle. Trying to make my way back. Slowly. Keep up your amazing videos and work. It's inspiring to people like me who have lost their roots a bit.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jkq9717]

Clay, I could not agree more with you. I am 62 years old and still enjoy all the physical labor of clearing land and enjoying the outdoors. Just can't do it at the pace I used to. But I don't let that stop me. You just have to work within your limitations.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, just keep moving!

[@Johggd]

A nice change of direction from survival to managing land

[@Mr850man]

Regarding the phisical activity, I always think about the people that drive their car 15 mins in order to pedal a static bicycle for 45 minutes.

[@deneseiB]

Or buy a workout machine, put it in the garage, then install an electric garage-door opener~ #RIPGallagher

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤣

[@loboalamo]

Funny! I’ve thought that. They make bikes you can ride outside.

[@deneseiB]

@@loboalamo Fresh air! No smelling someone else's sweaty butt! Now everyone insists on 'electric' bikes and wonder why they're still fat~

[@timothylongmore7325]

Yeah , I'd like to open a gym and attach electric generators to each bike and treadmill. And charge for membership. Resistance training, lol.

[@MayorOfGoodells]

I’ve owned a woodland 126 since 2012 and it has been a fine machine. Good video

[@clayhayeshunter]

I like mine as well

[@robertfmccarthy2360]

Great job! Leaving 2” is refer to as a hing cut! And if you do 45 degree it snaps forward. I’m impressed, felling is an art and not many people cut tree in a safe manner. Always leave an out, 90% of fatalities is not have a clear escape route. I took level one and two for missionary work.

[@desireebosch9803]

I live in the city, and for the first time, I hand saw camel wood for fire, and I have to say respect to you all who does it every day. It took me hours just to get 6 logs, and my body was in a lot of pain the next day.😊

[@deneseiB]

Buy a chainsaw dude!

[@desireebosch9803]

@@deneseiB 😂agree

[@Badfish5150]

That was a beautiful and amazingly accurate statement about doing something hard and the happiness and satisfaction you get out of doing something like that and doing it yourself. I really appreciate that. I try and teach my kids that as often as I can because you’re spot on, I never see them smile more or feel more satisfied as when they achieve something they did that wasn’t easy. No iPad can replace something like that. Thanks again brotha.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Absolutely 💯

[@jillturnbull6042]

Thank you for sharing a piece of your life with us. Your commentary was much appreciated. I'm 60 and physical things are more challenging, but you've inspired me. Thank you.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are so welcome

[@jeffmatthews3798]

Great video. The work is rewarding on so many levels. I heated primarily with wood for over two decades. Never killed a tree, the Ash borer did that for me. I could actually split by hand faster than with a splitter, when by myself. If you’ve never actually done both you won’t get it. With help the hydraulic splitter was a tad faster. The advantage was that it would run longer than I could with just the maul. But splitting by hand is great exercise, always my first choice. Thanks Clay.

[@leandrooyola4453]

nice video Clay! cheers from Argentina!

[@3passa]

For your hard work making these videos, and teaching me so much since I found your channel a year ago, a big Thank Ya Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them! And thanks 🙏

[@roypettis1808]

Enjoyed this format, thank you.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ProperBoyPOV]

Your words are powerful Your actions are true Your intentions are nurturing Your heart is strong

[@Glader08]

The video quality and cinematography is excellent

[@jpkoepse]

This was great. Love the commentary and philosophizing!

[@nohillforahighstepper]

One of my favorite activities in the fall and winter is splitting firewood. I own a gas powered splitter but it doesn't go to work unless I have a bunch of cottonwood or hardwood to split. I process between 4 and 5 cords every year...for the last 24 winters. I know at some point I will have to use that gas splitter almost exclusively. But for now, I love using my Hans Bruk splitting axe almost as much as watching an arrow from a recurve disappear into the boiler room of a deer. I know my enjoyment could come to an end any day though, as I am approaching 60 years old. Maybe splitting firewood will be one of my last earthly enjoyments to disappear. At least I can hope. Love the channel! 😊😊😊

[@brandynthomas1909]

I agree 100% Clay!! Awsome video! Can't wait to see more hunting and homesteading videos.

[@davidhunter7545]

Thanks Clay for sharing the knowledge you have. Practical knowledge like this is very valuable even if some just can't understand why.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I appreciate that!

[@F15Bluto]

That page of A Sand County Almanac is dog eared and frequently read - one of my very favorite, and in my opinion most important Leopold quotes. Always happy to hear it. Well done, as always.

[@lonnygehring3043]

There is something about taking a dead tree and turning it into heat for the winter that is extremely satisfying. From sawing the tree down, to splitting, and stacking. A methodical process with instant feedback on your work.

[@marais888]

Nice job dropping the tree safely, because as you said you never know what can happen.

[@theotherparty]

It was awesome watching you on Alone. There's a humility you bring to the table especially with regards to not passing judgment on others. Kind of a "I'm doing my thing" vibe. Good stuff.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@terrienhumain6723]

200% with you Clay, I live the same here.

[@3passa]

Love your philosophy Clay. And a video from your place is always like instant holidays. I mean, I can almost smell the Stihl and the cut wood on a hot summer´s day. Take care and have a lovely Sunday!

[@Wblair8772]

This was perhaps my favourite video you have done. Would love to see more of this type of content. Having dominion over (or living from it if the Biblical term offends) the land means both using its abundance and caring for it. To do either of those exclusively is bad for the land and the animals that depend on it. 👍🏼

[@outtherefilm]

Well said Clay! Keep em coming

[@Akilles3]

I like this stuff Clay, thank you. Doesn't always have to be about bows and hunting. God bless you and yours!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@thylacine123]

I find it disturbing how many people think catch and release angling is the ethical choice versus consumption of a sustainable and well managed local natural resource. They actually think that they are doing the fish a favor. The industry around many outdoor activities is to blame in my opinon. Great video Clay!

[@joshuabomar6974]

That milling machine is impressive . Id love to have s set up like that. Great stuff Clay .. split that fir up right homie.

[@rindertmonsma9671]

Mooi gesproken. Nice spoken.

[@bobahnjr]

Wise words of advice !

[@wildhoser]

Good stuff 👍

[@Maywyn]

Interesting video. I said, Timber!" when the tree fell. 😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

😁

[@knolltop314]

Enjoyed this episode.

[@timothylongmore7325]

Sometimes the leaners are the most dangerous and dead or very soft woods add to the danger. Dead ones the hinge can fail and leaners want to go early. I'm not an expert but felled a lot of trees and aside from my occupation tree work is probably the most dangerous thing I do. Good video and good advise. I would add, take your time and make sure that hinge, especially the wedge is right. Id have cut the far-side of the back cut before the finish , cause it helps me line up the back cut and gets me a little farther away , but I wasn't there so what do I know, lol. Just a score , not to far into the hinge.

[@J155P]

I love how he knows how to do practically everything. This is a man boys and girls.

[@to8860]

Amazing content as always!!!! Look forward to your videos!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@petermurdoch3001]

when i was 20-21 years young, I fed myself splitting and cording firewood, mostly maple, birch, 5 dollars a cord, cord is 4 feet high, 8 feet long, 16 inch, ate small game, venison, moose. Working Contruction in summer months allowed me financially, to work outside in winter months in North East North America

[@SalsaHill7]

Badass video man keep it up

[@clayhayeshunter]

Appreciate it!

[@davidlee4576]

Splitting’a good stuff!

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Very cool man,😎💯🔥🏹

[@polhokustaa4989]

I love to split wood by hand!

[@ralphknudsen6299]

Love splitting with a axe! Mine on the ground to lazy to pick it up on the block.😍

[@thegodphreaker]

Clay totally shut down the haters in the end lmao 1 step too many haha

[@davidfleer5307]

I never have tofu! I do have a wood splitter but it’s usually only used for those knotty pieces or large diameter pieces it’s just faster to use a maul and I enjoy cutting firewood ✌🏻👍🇺🇸

[@45auto]

I always found splitting wood to be cathartic. I live in Texas now, so don't need firewood much (nor do I have a woodstove or fireplace). I do miss it though.

[@EthanPageHunter]

One of the most therapeutic things I do all year is split wood by hand. It’s a mindless escape from the world.

[@NathanGenzer-fw4jp]

Love the vids!

[@GotNiced]

That was a nice new mill machine! What are the plans for the lumber you harvested. Those were some really nice looking boards. Thank you for your videos. Been a fan of yours for years.

[@VHARDRADA]

Man, one day I will meet you and your family, and we'll talk about many thing! I promise!

[@croft5941]

I had a nice selfbow explode on me 2 days ago after backing it with automotive fiberglass cloth and resin. Sure wish you can do a video on how to do this and make it work❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

Sorry to hear that

[@Ozarkwonderer]

Yeah some folks don't get that removing dead trees, Aka widow makers, and thining out others is actually beneficial if done correctly. I mostly cut up dead or otherwise damaged trees for fire wood. To clean up and prevent problems and property damage

[@whistlingbadger]

I was hoping you'd be taking down this tree with stone tools, Clay. 😆 I appreciate your thoughts on the ethics of harvesting from the wild and the importance of doing things the hard way. Splitting wood is like therapy after a stressful day. How many times in life do you get to break stuff and still feel productive? I don't ever plan on taking down a tree this big, but you never know. It's interesting to see how it's done.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I recon I’d have to burn a ring around the bottom to get it down with stone age tools!

[@multiversevariant4944]

That's so cool , incredible job clay, I just have a question, how many ounces of sinew approximately a 64" hickory bow needs , thank you for your time.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I couldn’t say. It’s been so long since I weighed any. I just go by feel.

[@bradgreen9936]

Awesome videos mate ignore the haters 👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@alexmacdonald258]

So very well put Clay! Ignorance of the realities of life, and what it requires, is gradually being bred out of humanity.

[@FruitJuice92]

"why don't you buy a wood splitter" Because i fucking love splitting wood 🤣 and i totally agree

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤣💪

[@genewentz9906]

Excellent video and your thoughts on things are spot on!! One question, after you sawed your top and bottom cuts how did you square your third cut? Thanks for the time producing common sense videos

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just by eye

[@williamroberts2709]

To get me ready for football season, my grandpa handed me an axe and showed me a locust thicket. He then told me how many fence posts he needed. Kept me busy nearly all summer. He got his fence posts. I got strong shoulders and arms. If I got a hold of a ball carrier, he never got loose. I learned that hard work had many other rewards. I like this video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Absolutely

[@Yensu.Gaming]

The last message hits home. I quit being physical around the age of 20 and didn't really start being physical until my 30s again. I feel like I wasted my 20s. Being physical makes me happy.

[@clayhayeshunter]

There’s a lot of science behind that too😉

[@sebastienlambert4778]

Honestly, don't mind what people think. I only wish I had all your knowledge!

[@EthanPageHunter]

Great video. Ever tried using a Humboldt instead of conventional on the face cut?

[@vtbrian3252]

As you get older you will want a splitter later. Chopping heats you twice, one when your chopping and one when your burning

[@xuxamelo]

Ok, I assume I might be wrong but if you raise the last cut by two inches or so the log can't slip to the wrong side!

[@BourneOutside]

Amen!!!

[@TheWheeledHubby]

Keep splitting that wood, man! Two step logic is probably two steps too far. I envy your way of life. Great video!

[@SurfsFlatTrader]

lol well said Clay!!! 😂

[@wlcrutch]

That mill is awesome. Here in Sweden, a lot of people in the country get a mill that hooks up to the tractor motor, instead of using a separate engine. Do you guys have that in the states?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve seen some old ones but I’m not aware of anything being built today.

[@TheUglyAmerican007]

Good stuff sir. Sub’d

[@TonyHatton-ue7bz]

On the money Clay. There are no free lunches when it comes to energy. Also, water comes from a pipe and chocolate milk from brown cows.

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤣

[@rharoldkane4447]

As a west coast faller, I am lol. 😂

[@rjp3593]

I am a single woman who also heats with wood and homesteads. I can run a chainsaw myself but dont quite have the courage to fall a big tree. People call me strange and i probably am but i also live what i consider a genuine life.

[@clayhayeshunter]

If strange means outside the norm then that’s a good thing 😉

[@markmurphykyflyyaker6874]

Don't eat tofu or drive electric car. My idea of tree hugging is in a Lonewolf treestand. Good video and agree with you💯

[@clayhayeshunter]

Exactly!

[@RyanHaney-f9q]

Just curious where you gonna burn that firewood? Didn’t think you could burn Fir in a woodstove

[@clayhayeshunter]

That’s all we burn. In the western states, hardwoods are hard to come by. Everyone burns fir or larch around here.

[@RyanHaney-f9q]

@@clayhayeshunter oh ok I gotcha living in the south I’ve only ever burned hardwoods and honestly didn’t know if Fir had as much resin in it as the long leaf line we have around here thanks for the information

[@manuelwebe]

Hi Clay, you are by far one of my favorite KZbinrs. I never read the comments you receive but I was a bit surprised by your comments on driving an electric car, falling trees, and "sustainability in general". I plan to sell one of my gasoline cars and buy a small, electric family vehicle this year. I have solar panels and then at least part of my car mobility (I will keep my Hilux 4 cil diesel 4x4 for work and long-distance travel) would be very cheap and my carbon imprint will decrease. I do believe that is the right way forward and it will make me a happier man thinking I am contributing at least a little bit (solar energy & electric car mobility) towards fighting climate change and environmental degradation in general. As you might remember, I am a wildlife ecologist (just like you) and a vet. Why the hate on electric cars? I´ll be looking forward to your answer. Very curious.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I don’t hate electric cars or, for that matter, tofu. I was just using those things as examples of the hidden costs in all things. Solar, as you mentioned, as well as hydro and wind are often touted as “green” energy with virtually no environmental cost. Are they better than coal, sure, but they’re certainly not free. As an ecologist I’m sure you understand the impacts of damming major river systems for hydro power. Where I grew up in NW Florida, huge swathes of land that were once wildlife habitat are being sterilized and turned into solar fields. Not to mention the mining and fossil fuels required to make batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, etc. I’m not against any of these things. I was just trying to point out the hypocrisy.

[@manuelwebe]

@@clayhayeshunterFair enough. Certainly, there is an environmental cost to almost every human activity. Driving huge fuel-thirsty SUBs is certainly very hypocritical too. I will go the way of my least damaging path all the time because I am convinced we humans are the main cause of climate change, biodiversity loss & environmental degradation in general. Thanks for your answer.

[@jalapainyo]

Splitting wood aligns your chi

[@Clark42EoC]

Stihl same brand I was trained on 22 years ago. Now I'm stuck with a tiny craftsman 😢

[@clayhayeshunter]

☹️

[@cynthiastandley5742]

👍

[@ivandejanovic4963]

Thanks for the video Clay. I wanted to ask what does it say on the back of that tie shirt. It looked real nice.

[@clayhayeshunter]

The Fast die Last!

[@ivandejanovic4963]

@@clayhayeshunter thanks

[@ZSnuffBox]

Somehow, a couple cords of firewood and a full freezer feels way more secure than my investment portfolio.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Mine too😬

[@scrappydog175]

It’s us and them. Will always be. Good channel Clay!

[@corypeter739]

What do you do with the lumber after it's milled? Kiln dry? Air dry?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Air dry

[@laurahome1588]

🎉

[@richroc7]

Clay I agree with you on all points and I wish I could split some wood, heck I’ll come split yours for free 😂 get me out of the city Clay I hate it here 😢

[@clayhayeshunter]

I feel ya! Hope you can escape at some point.

[@Kurtdog63]

I am pretty sure I saw a Snowy Owl fly out of that tree as it was dropping. Hehee. What type of projects are fir wood good for?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Ah that was a spotted owl 😆 I’m building a home gym with this wood. 💪

[@Kurtdog63]

@@clayhayeshunter Thought it might be like pine. Light, but strong and easy to work with. I ran a wood stove in a house I used to live in. I learned a lot about different types of wood to burn, try not to burn wood that is soaking wet or too green due to creosote build up etc.. Pine kindling was a good fire starter, but hard woods had the btu's and burned much longer. Also if you keep your draft mostly closed, your wood lasts longer, burns slower, but can also encourage creasote build up. I replaced my indoor stove pipe above the stove and the creosote was so thick, there was only a small hole up the middle of the pipe to allow smoke to go out the chimney. Creosote fires can get so hot they can set your house on fire.

[@bradfoster8801]

Is it better to mill lumber from a freshly fallen tree or from a section of a tree that has had some time to season?

[@clayhayeshunter]

It doesn’t matter. If you’re cutting a lot of seasoned wood they make different blades for that.

[@bradfoster8801]

Ok. Thank you.

[@eBilVastard1]

I believe i would find this sort of lifestyle spiritually rewarding, but as i was born extremely far away from such things (deep in the city and in a harsh climate) i dont know how i would go about achieving that. Maybe i will start by climbing a mountain, atleast we have plenty of those

[@Anomynous]

@6:24. Kablam on the button!