Building A Bark Canoe In 12 Hours? - Elm Bark Canoe Part 1

[@townsends]

Part 2 Coming Monday!

[@cptmurica1187]

Are you going to harvest the tree now?

[@praiseyahwehandyeshua6543]

Townsends yes

[@marikeaaris6194]

Ur weird

[@gahillbilly6566]

Can you use white oak to build one? They use them for whiskey barrels

[@kendallhall4767]

@Townsends there is something so pure about the way you get excited by random things like this I really enjoy this channel keep up the good work man

[@oaksparoakspar3144]

Most of your trouble comes from having a scarcity of materials - something frontiersmen didn't have to concern themselves with. When old growth forests are continual along most every waterway and the trees are not property, you have more to pick from and no concern about costs. Damaged bark is lost work, not lost resources, and so you can work harder and with more tolerance for risk. Also, when beaver are abundant, such waterside trees are often pre-girdled for you in the spring, saving you work on several parts. First, the girdling, of course, but also that you could see the condition inside of several trees without having wasted any work chopping into them (the frontiersmen were not grand conservationists of anything other than their own labor). Moreover, with a few days girdled deeply as beaver will do, the trunk will begin to shrink from water loss making the bark looser.

[@gmkhn66]

Super interesting perspective!

[@andrewlalis]

However, the first explorers in the fifteenth and sixteenth century did not experience old growth forests per se. The vast majority of forests were periodically burned by natives to support their ease of hunting and maize farming practices. See Hernando de Soto's expedition into the south east.

[@oaksparoakspar3144]

@@andrewlalis Remember, however, that de Soto is 15th/16th century - before what we consider "pioneering" days (later French and English colonization). What de Soto would have seen would be before the smallpox population crash that decimated (and sometimes utterly destroyed) so many tribes. By the early 17th century conditions were widely changed - recall that the pilgrims settled pre-cleared land with no current claims because the previously holding tribe had died out to disease not long before they arrived. By the time colonies were established and pioneers were reaching into the interior, over a century of growth has swallowed anything abandoned by the smallpox depopulation. Native outbreaks were typically between 25% to 90% fatal (and 10% is a "decimated" population).

[@absalomdraconis]

I would like to remind everyone that one of the implications of the video is that trees tend to die _too small_ specifically. I don't know if it's because of Dutch Elm Disease specifically, or just elms in general. Also, I've seen a fairly large number of elms, but many have not had conveniently long stretches without branches. It's probably best to assume that finding an ideal tree for this was always a bit of work itself.

[@matthewseabolt7342]

Once a tree has been girdled there is a limited amount of time before the bark is to dry to get off and rendered unusable. The best chance is to take the bark off immediately after girdling. & im speaking from experience

[@constpegasus]

Incredible episode. You beat cable television. Love these videos.

[@SonofSethoitae]

Even Jon's disposable dingys are historically accurate

[@tysonq7131]

I bet people will watch these for years, just like Bob Ross.

[@tallyankeegal]

Just a happy accident....this canoe will be our little secret!

[@Οδοιπόρος]

Bob Ross watches these?

[@noorazraq2245]

Tyson Q Is it just me, or does Jon look a little like Bob,too?

[@goldilox369]

@@noorazraq2245 John is easily cuter. But, he might look similar if he had a white-fro & a beard.

[@doctorlove3536]

Oh god yeah, frontier bob ross

[@bigidiotdumbstupidguy9329]

I’m a huge history nerd. I love everything from “pre history” to Victorian Europe. As for America, my knowledge only really goes from the early to mid 1800’s to just about the mid 90’s (a history teacher told me that “it isn’t history unless it’s been about 20 years from the event” so I don’t count modern stuff). Seeing things like this is great for multiple reasons. It teaches me more, and it helps me relax a lot and I don’t know why. Maybe from watching years of Historia Civilis, but this is great work. Provides a valuable service.

[@goldilox369]

When were you born? I'm the same way... I've always loved history. I get it from my Dad. I've even done historical interpretation at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. It's funny, because I can't remember how I found Townsend's. But, the first night, I watched all these recipe videos, sent links to all my friends from FCM. Then I came across the dang earthen stove video. And, apparently John had been there already a few years before (after i worked there) and built the stove based on our German farm. He even gave us a shout out. I felt so silly. Oh well! 🤦🤷😜

[@bigidiotdumbstupidguy9329]

goldilox369 I will turn 22 this year. My “education” is very informal. I’ve dropped from college courses 6 times now and nearly failed high school due to physical and psychological issues. But I still love history. And for seemingly no reason, I just started absorbing and remembering more or less everything I took interest in concerning history. Now I want to teach high school level because I had great influences and I never get tired of learning or explaining stuff. The closest I’ve gotten to doing something useful with the knowledge is I tutor and revise history and English work for people. Mainly between 17 and 23. I tutor them on whatever English or history section they’re on, then ask them to grab their assigned homework and I treat it like a test. Give them 30-120 minutes, then I “collect it” and seriously grade it then re explain it. Somehow I only have positive scores lol.

[@debbieboring3422]

You had me stressed too. Gosh Jon when you were taking the bark off and said "Ooo" I jumped. To bad there was Dutch Elm disease kill of so many. I had a Burch bark canoe my Gma & Gpa brought back from Canada when I was kid. It was very cool. Looking forward to the next video.

[@alexandrepohlmann7490]

Very nice! Here in Brazil the natives still make jatoba bark canoes with 40-70ft. long and it last for decades. It is an amazing feat with no metal tools. Just rock, wood and fire.

[@WaybackTECH]

First time I have ever heard the words "peel" and "tree" used together let alone ever seen it done. Always learning new things on this channel.

[@kanucks9]

Certainly not 18th century, but look up plywood veneer peeling. The other way a tree is peeled

[@victoriarotramel2274]

Or how cork is harvested! The bark of the tree is peeled off and it grows back.

[@rowlandhoskins3153]

Your videos always bring entertainment to my eyes and ears, and warmth to my heart. Keep doing this great work. God Bless!

[@BridgesDontFly]

Rowland Hoskins (Joke) Who down votes these videos? Tree huggers😊

[@sheep1ewe]

I love those projects! That hillarious picture of him stumbling in the canoe reminds me of an oil painting a friend did picturing a cherub angel stumbelin with hi's face into a cload, showing hi's but sticking out from the fluffy white cload. He then smugeled it into a public art exhibision, not telling the jury that he had painted it him self and not one of those famous artists... I absolute loved that painting and the stoy around it. ha ha. (I know my English has lot of wrongs, it's not my native language...)

[@-Jaswanth-yp3rc]

This man has so much passion and such enthusiasm in doing and explaining these things..It warms your heart..

[@leannvlewis]

Elm is my favorite hardwood. Excellent fire material. Bark is versatile. Morels tend to grow around them in my area. I'm looking forward to this build. Thanks.

[@TheReasonableGentleman]

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge, you are a wealth of useful information and talented people. Thank you

[@mattt9298]

Awesome job guys. I can't imagine how difficult that was. Just watching the video I was holding my breath at certain points fearing the bark would be damaged and all your work lost. Again, great job. I look forward to Part 2.

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Townsend and Son Canoe Company, LLC introduces it's latest model.

[@moosemaimer]

Delivery may take 60-80 years

[@townsends]

Ha! Sounds like quite the business.

[@UnprofessionalProfessor]

Judge: "Latest?" TSC: "Yeah... it's dead technology, ergo a 'late' model,"

[@spellbinders_of_suspense]

Great video! Dr. Thomas Walker’s expedition in 1750 built an Elm bark canoe in about a day to cross the Cumberland River. Interesting about the season and aligns with his being built on April 20-21st. He also notes they barked a white Hickory up to 15ft. but I believe from the way his journal reads that their finished canoe was from an Elm tree they felled and barked 20ft.

[@umungus518]

I think your passion and enthusiam is what makes these such a joy to watch. I get sucked into these and before i know it the videos over, very well done

[@jmason61]

This is fascinating stuff. A lot of people (us) like to read about the history of woodsman/frontier exploration, but a vid like this just shows you how much of a day would be tied up in just labor to get a task done. Sunup to sundown. My only thing with a bark canoe like this is it just doesn't seem very simple at all haha build a raft instead

[@deerjohn8041]

I can’t wait to see y’all complete this. What a great way to bring history to life. Thank you.

[@mikerogers9711]

Hard to find Elm now. In Maine most all are dead and gone. Great video. Thank You

[@1000wastedwords]

I'm so glad you guys picked a tree at the end of it's life cycle. I was a little sad to think about killing such a mature tree for an, admittedly cool, but ultimately frivolous experiment. This is a really neat project. Can't wait to see the next episode.

[@jamesvatter5729]

Great project. I have seen references to them, but never actually seen one built. I hope things go well so you must (obviously) christen it the "JTS Nutmeg!"

[@kimmcdonagh6756]

That's a lot of work for a temporary, "disposable" canoe! Brilliant work, though!

[@Agamemnon2]

Still a heck of a lot faster than a dugout and a lot more practical than trying to cobble together some kind of raft for an ad-hoc kind of situation.

[@billythekid4793]

Yeah it is a lot of work but 12 hours beats 2 weeks any day.

[@UnprofessionalProfessor]

@@billythekid4793 That is one hell of a sentence.

[@jerrywhidby.]

The original throw away generation.

[@southernwanderer7912]

I didn't expect the peeling to be done on a standing tree. That was a surprise. Can't wait to see the next part.

[@matthewszostek1819]

Your dugout series was awesome. Thanks for doing this one. There isnt much on historic small wooden sail powered fishing/work boats. I was wondering if you knew anyone doing such a thing. I know pirates would mostly use small fast boats including Blackbeard who died on one. Everyone focusses on the large fortress ships with forty sails but the smaller old sailing ships were the unsung heroes of the coastal waterways fighting battles and hauling fish, goods, passengers, mail,...etc. There is is so much history lost with these "insignificant" mass produced and widely used wind and oar powered versitile boats.

[@tanyaholt7399]

This is so amazing. Following your channel is like stepping back in time once or twice a week. Love it... ❤

[@PixieDust-eq6kc]

Wow! This is great! Keeping our history alive. Thanks. Been watching your videos off and on but I finally subscribed today.

[@H6771-s6q]

Same method debarking for log cabins. Only works when green. I use many wood wedges and hammer. Cool thanks. Hit each wedge one at a time to save you're arms and decrease the splitting in bark.

[@seanarmstrong7767]

H 6771 pretty sure they didn’t care how well the bark stayed together when building log cabins...Probably just cut down the trees then used a draw knife to de-bark.

[@H6771-s6q]

@@seanarmstrong7767 when I do it its easiest that way. Why do you think not?

[@lonelywandererasmr1812]

I tried this once but failed, turns out I was barking up the wrong tree.

[@chelinfusco6403]

This comment just broke the internet.

[@preacherbiggin]

Should we "axe" what kind of tree it was?

[@preacherbiggin]

pattern you're right! "Branching out" into a more familiar "neck of the woods" would be better. Think I'll just set back and let some others "bark" in the comments.

[@krb5292]

All of these comments have a RING of truth to them.

[@jeffpotts6187]

Tree-hee-hee! Yew funny!

[@linewizard]

Loved the background music in this episode.

[@H6771-s6q]

On a mission trip on the Yukon when I was 18 we made a kayak from vine maple and garbage bags. Craziest part, the next day heading back to Grayling 6 miles down river we found it afloat heading down. I have pictures.

[@mattfinchdesign]

Excellent. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@lesahanners5057]

This is really something else Jon. You made it look easy, but having been a tree barker myself in my younger days, I know it is a real chore. I used to strip tree's with my grandpa, tho we were doing Cascara, for a medical company, back in the 1970's. Is this type of elm tree you are using the same type of tree called, "Slippery Elm", that native Americans used for medicinal purposes and bandages back in the 18th century? This was a really wonderful video, and I am thoroughly enjoying this series on canoe's. Reading about it being done is great, but seeing you and your compatriots go out and try to follow in the footsteps of folks from yesteryear is so much more exciting and enlightening. Thanks for taking us along on yet another grand adventure in history.

[@yasminroberts9841]

Thank you john and crew for all your hard work

[@CathyMiller0711]

Fascinating! What a beautiful piece of bark. Can't wait to see how this project progresses.

[@stonecutter2]

What an incredible job you guys did getting that bark off! Can't wait to see how the bark canoe goes! Love these videos.

[@nicolemarly6202]

Hello bark daddy

[@mrdanforth3744]

Good ol' Nicole

[@PRDreams]

I live for your daddy comments 😅

[@davidsain2129]

Thank you, Nicole Marly! God bless you.

[@barbarahawkins7930]

Oh Man, Excellent Job Jon and in case of wilderness emergencies we now know what to do ! BRAVO JON TOWNSEND ... BRAVO !

[@hm2mahoney]

The sound track to this video was very relaxing while we all watched you work!

[@stripes8812]

I appreciate the knowledge and wisdom you are stashing here.

[@mkivy]

Thank you for taking my to a time long lost...we just don’t know how lucky we have it...I’ve long wondered if I could do a “Back to the Future”, zap to an 18th century or heck any one from hundreds of years ago and bring them here today...what would they think? I’m from an age when no one had air conditioning in their homes, u had to defrost the fridge, we walked to school, played out until dark, drank from a hose, a coke was a real treat and Macdonald’s had just hit our city...and gas was 25 cents a Gallon!

[@thelonecabbage7834]

So satisfying to watch. Like peeling that protective plastic off of new electronics.

[@BTLOTM]

I think this is the first time I've ever watched one of these videos before the sequel. Excited to see what happens with this canoe!

[@benm5913]

10/10 would nutmeg again.

[@philiptruitt]

Thank you, Townsend and company!!

[@kravist518]

Being an aspiring canoe builder the two canoe series from Townsends is very helpful hopefully there will be more in the series

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

I keep getting confused every time I see someone on the show not in period dress lol. I feel like I'm watching a time traveler talk to John.

[@censusgary]

The main reason suitable elm bark is scarce is that, beginning in the 1920s, Dutch Elm Disease killed most of the elm trees in North America (and in Europe beginning about 1910). Dutch Elm Disease is spread by elm bark beetles that were introduced (accidentally) from Asia, probably in the early 20th century.

[@theodoremartin6153]

Now its the ash trees that are dying from Emerald Borers , from china .

[@filipematias5127]

Just like harvesting the cork bark in the south of my home country Portugal!

[@mackenziehunt7616]

Wow! well done lads very carefully done, and a therapeutic pleasure to watch

[@MrDknuckle]

I watched out of order ( do not know how I missed this one ) watching part 2 first... I wondered how difficult getting the bark off would be and now I know :) -- thanks for another great video

[@jefflabrozzi9592]

Absolutely had me stressing out,really came through the video. Looking forward to the rest of the project.

[@ilikehamburger3980]

I love that they even used an old fashioned ladder/tools

[@IndianaDundee]

A big hello from Muncie, IN.

[@sonofeloah]

Looking forward to the next part. We have a lot of large elms here in northern central MO.

[@KaWouter_]

This is great, I learned already so much from you guys. You're way more than 'just' reenactment.

[@electronicfreak1111]

In Australia we have bark canoes made out of Gumtrees and if you take care of them and make them correctly they can last up to 2 years

[@baaadgoat1091]

Im already so excited for the next episode. Great work on this one. You guys are really getting to the next level.

[@antarcticpip244]

Top quality production and fascinating topic, you guys are amazing! Can't wait for part 2

[@joseaburto1641]

Good lord, gotta love these videos. The music on the background is awesome. Regards from Chile.

[@C-TOS]

Man I wish to had a sabbatical doing all these projects and nothing else. It kind of fortifies your spirit and not take all these modern creature comforts for granted.

[@FoxtrotFleet]

You guys made me so nervous with all the things that could go wrong peeling that bark! Glad it all went okay. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@jmille711]

This is one of the coolest things Iv ever seen on KZbin.. not to mention it’s on townsends

[@LittleBunnySunshine]

Fascinating! What an awesome project! Love you guys!!! 💕

[@jkrause365]

Impressive! Can't wait for Episode 2

[@ashtrix8413]

Yay! I'm so glad it worked! Can't wait for part 2 😊

[@tinagriffith841]

Awesome! Can't wait to see the next video on the bark boat/canoe!

[@xKONEKOxNEKOx]

I always get wayy too excited when you name drop Indiana towns. lol Heck when I realized that's where you are based I got crazy excited. I don't live in the US but my family was from Indiana and had been there since before statehood. I love watching your videos because I feel a little closer to my ancestors knowing how they might of lived. Thanks for all of the great vids!

[@yahwehskid4819]

This was truly a pleasure watching great work guys can't wait for part two!

[@redactedname5038]

This is by far the most wholesome and neat channel on KZbin

[@timkibben8004]

WOW! Really looking forward to the next episode. Great job, guys!

[@arts6821]

Just here to say thank you for all of your great videos :D and also thank you for keeping a piece of 18 century history with us.

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar7761]

Awesome! Looking forward to part 2

[@tmpm980]

This was fascinating to watch. Who did the music for this episode? It’s different than the typical period music, but I like it.

[@BrianMax]

I hope the wood from that tree gets harvested and put to good use. Like your guest mentioned earlier, mature elm trees are in short supply.

[@Bildgesmythe]

Dead trees left to decay in the forest is a great use, renews soil and provides homes for everything from insects, fungus, birds, amphibians and small mammals.

[@johnroquemore9128]

I would imagine it will

[@Spoon80085]

I am too excited to see an 18th century cooking guy do a canoe in a day.

[@jason-white]

Really like these videos where you build stuff like they did way back when. Looking forward to the next.

[@guitarofdestiny]

I love this channel. Totally unique

[@TaigaTurf]

That bark peeled perfectly.. Healthy tree

[@silvercobra8252]

With food and knowledge contents like this not sure why this channel havent renamed to Godsends, cheers

[@DerHirni]

Can't wait for part 2!

[@rotaman8555]

Fascinating project. Thanks for taking the effort!

[@JohnCena-uc3qy]

We living in 2019 while these people living in 1750.

[@megatronVS]

We *are* speaking English.

[@youtubedyeet1026]

megatronVS what?

[@oliverwagunaere1697]

2021

[@thrawn8840]

3064

[@Ragatokk]

Nice to see some people keep traditions alive.

[@TheWild90]

I suddenly imagined the tree screaming while it was being skinned and laughed for about 5 minutes.....

[@kaylee9773]

I immediately started snickering after I saw this comment hahaha

[@FrontierPreppers]

the hands-on project, LOVE IT!

[@hellokitty-sx3pq]

satisfying to see that whole big piece.

[@speedbuggy16v]

glad to see you used a dying tree for this, and finally a use for what we call "piss elms" in the midwest. They make great shade if they are not falling down on you............LOL

[@ItAintMeBabe99]

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the tree. If it wasn’t going to die, it sure is now.

[@barbarahawkins7930]

Thank you Jon and Thank You Erik Vosteen. I LOVE THE 1700's Thank you Jon for having your video's and live chats.. YOU ROCK !

[@townsends]

Thanks!

[@silverphoenix684]

This is one of the freshest channels ever. I love you bro.

[@ChaosRevealsOrder]

So satisfying to see that bark peel off.

[@privateuser7]

This is such an awesome and meaningful project. You were really getting in touch with nature here. I love this kind of stuff I wish you were my dad

[@nasty9552]

Thank god for people like Townsend.

[@andrewgourd8486]

As a Haudenosaunee, I think it would have been more proper to lay down some tobacco and say a quick prayer before taking an axe to that tree. That's how those natives would have done it, even for such an expedient utilitarian tool like a canoe. Very cool experiment and really liked watching.

[@brotherskeepers111]

Awesome work guys

[@daneurismx4115]

Ya I think I recall ray Mears did a video with a native American where they made a canoe out of bark and some pieces of wood. I love how there's no measuring using inches or anything, mostly eye balling

[@zaepher3176]

Can’t wait to see the rest of this series!

[@shanek6582]

I’ve wanted to do/see this done since I read The Frontiersman when I was 15, thanks.