Building a Medieval Fence: Bushcraft Skills

We build a medieval fence using simple hand tools and bushcraft skills. This wattle wall will be the foundation wall for our iron age celtic roundhouse that we have been building. We also used this technique to build the roof to our icelandic style viking house with turf roof.
Bushcraft Skills and how to make hazel withies: • Bushcraft Skills - Cam...
FULL CELTIC ROUNDHOUSE SERIES: • CELTIC ROUNDHOUSE
Dustin's Channel: / bushcrafttools
Watch all of our Big Shelter Builds Here: • Bushcraft Shelters Ins...
TA OUTDOORS MERCHANDISE: taofficial.com
TA OUTDOORS PATCHES: www.taoutdoors.com/shop/
My Bushcraft, Survival and Filming Gear: www.amazon.com/shop/taoutdoors
These are amazon affiliate links
OUR OTHER CHANNEL TA FISHING: / tafishing
INSTAGRAM: / taoutdoorofficial
FACEBOOK: / totallyawesomeoutdoors
TWITTER: / outdoorsta
#bushcraft #roundhouse #ironage #building #taoutdoors

[@pauln2661]

@5:30 It is important to tell people that the vertical uprights are in odd numbers (5,7,9,11) and that the ends both finish on the same side (toward or away from you). This keeps the horizontals under tension and keeps the wattle fence together. :)

[@man_vs_life]

Thank you! I'm about to try building one and will put your tips into practice.

[@HouseFairyDIY]

Excellent advice there!

[@annashiegl]

I've just tried for the first time with willow, with 5 uprights,, the middle one was under extreme pressure and eventually snapped, did you mean even numbers, 4,6,8 or did I do something else wrong?

[@lifee_._]

Can it hold a dog I have a few kangals and one male European doberman

[@patriciaangeles4816]

I can’t wait for my Grandson to come and visit us in a couple of weeks. He’s really into his Beavers/Scouts and I want to show him your vids. Granddad’s already saving his garden burn-up pile for a camp fire 👍🏻

[@stormyeffects4795]

You sound like an amazing grandparent.

[@TAOutdoors]

That’s awesome!

[@Pygar2]

Hotdogs and marshmallows in for a rough time, I bet!

[@baahs101]

@@TAOutdoors I love your videos. I doubt you have the time to answer this or even see this but how is your bunker doing? Not sure if anyone else likes your bunker videos but I was super interested in what you were going to do with it.

[@joshuabrooks-sharp3450]

I hope y’all have a blast!!!

[@falkharvard8722]

I made a fence like this a few years ago with willow. The stakes actually took root and now the fence is a row of young trees 😂

[@fortbumper]

beautiful

[@lukeethanboswell6338]

Lolll

[@justajerk1121]

@Keith Branson noone cares ... obviously

[@234234234werrrrrrr]

Proof or gtfo

[@KelseyDrummer]

That's really cool!

[@NewMessage]

It's just good to see any walls other than the four I've been looking at for months here.

[@ionebrown481]

I feel that!💖

[@lambgaming1347]

yep!

[@chester754]

Mike, honestly you and Dustin should write a manual on all the builds you've done so far. Its be great to have it all written down step by step for others to follow. Yet another great video, I'm learning more with each one so thank you! 👍🏼

[@eastcoastartist]

Soaking the hazel in a stream over night might make it pliable. We did this when making baskets.

[@chrisosh9574]

We used to soak the splits in an 8ft galvanized horse trough when the hazel was a bit past 'green'.

[@kangszeming]

@@chrisosh9574 鞥ㄥ

[@trevorwindle8980]

Bentwood chairs are steamed 👍

[@chrisosh9574]

In Kent, we always used to split (rive) the Hazel with a froe then when you are weaving the hurdle, all you need at the ends is a half twist to withe the ends of each piece around to weave the ends in. That way the poles don't spread, using unriven poles for the horizontals is much harder to do and they are more inclined to break. I did four years of Environmental Conservation NVQ in the '80s, the hedge laying and hurdle making were two of the best bits of the course, the other was learning about how many different fungi and mushrooms are edible in the UK.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

THANKS for commenting!

[@leegosling]

Aye... I did a couple of years with Walter Lloyd up in S. Lakes and a fair bit of wattle hurdle making. Used to split them with a bill hook... can keep the split central by bending the stick as you work down... keep your hands above the blade, though... I saw bone the day I forgot... that was 30yrs ago, just a faint scar now.

[@chrisosh9574]

@@leegosling I worked with an old Gypsy who had a small narrow billhook that he could split with at three times my speed, he reckoned he was given it as a youngster in the '40s and used it for everything including peg (clothes) making, it was like a razor and would easily have gone down to the bone. Mine was an old Brades 11".

[@TaivalOutdoors]

I've built fences like these for ages, but things like mentioned around 6:00 is exactly why I like your channel so much. Always learning something new!

[@RumMonkeyable]

Strong, readily available materials (at least in the UK), and most important of all (for me), aesthetically pleasing. Rather beautiful, actually. Thank you, Dustin & Mike, for showing us the technique for making a wattle 'wall'/fence. We sure do love your adventure series building historically-influenced houses. P.S. Amber did her classic "I'm a cool dog" routine, which makes us all happy!

[@thizizliz]

They really are beautiful! And with only a few hand tools, really with reach for anyone who has the right materials.

[@nospoon4799]

Try gathering any of this in the UK. It will be "get off my land or I will release the dogs". So not really readily available.

[@cattigereyes1]

Thank you! Teaching is important! Sir!

[@BillLowenburg]

This is an excellent tutorial! I’m going to use this method to make things using with Russian Olive, an invasive species here in Pennsylvania. Like Hazel, once it dries it’s extremely hard and durable. Thank you so much for demonstrating this technique. I’m going to make a garden fence gate and have several other projects in mind already. And I have a big supply of Russian Olive! Cheers and keep up the fine work!

[@lewerim]

I was taught to lay out the holes in the base in a slight arc. When you take the hurdle off the base and flatten it, it makes the whole weave tighter. Not that I've made more than a handful.

[@lorriehiner4049]

which way did the arc curve?

[@lewerim]

@@lorriehiner4049 The curve was looking down at the hurdle. I always turned it so the ends were farther way away than the middle, but that's personal preference.

[@annashiegl]

@@lewerim good tip

[@niklar55]

Exactly what I needed! I've just cut a load of willow saplings down, around 1'' 1.5'' or so at the base, and wanted to put them to use. I already understood the basic idea, of wattle fencing panels, but was short of the finer points, which are explained here. Like the twisting and return to stabilise the verticals. I have a nice beech, roofing, leadwork, mallet, that will be ideal for packing the pieces down.😊 Thanks.

[@HouseFairyDIY]

They look really good and I bet they last a long time. If only I had a hazel tree!

[@lambgaming1347]

This looks awesome! I love adventuring, exploring, building and being outside.

[@TheRealHonestInquiry]

Four or more of these would make an excellent raised bed planter!

[@frederikronin9919]

I a german, my english is very bad and i understand nothing what you say. But what i see is greatest. You are my favorit builder

[@clydemorris3927]

Thank you Mike for instructions on the hazelnut hut. Glad to see you n Dustin working together again. You both have skills, we enjoy watching... Arkansas Clyde 🇺🇸✌️

[@natureboy6410]

Thanks Bud. ;-) Out here in the Mohave desert resources are very limited. I rent, and the owner had put a large metal frame over and around the garden area. After watching y'all building those walls, I know how I'm going to use this fast growing oleander and Arizona desert ash branchs now, to help protect the garden area from the desert winds and critters! ;-)

[@melindalafevers7851]

Just remember that oleander is deadly poison. I’ve heard of people dying just from using a stick to roast their hotdog on.

[@natureboy6410]

@@melindalafevers7851 only the yellow flowering oleander that commonly grows in the UK, has the potential of being deadly, and then only to babies, very small children, or those with severely weak or compromised immune systems and small animals. In the 60 plus years that the PCC, Poison control center, has existed here in the United States, there has not been one verified reported case of death or even poisoning from oleander here in the United States. Only those that you have read or heard about online, a bunch of hype and fear mongering.

[@vannemocilac274]

Maybe salt cedar?

[@lordfabulous6198]

I've been wanting to find an in depth tutorial over how to make these! Thank you for that!

[@TAOutdoors]

Glad to help!

[@lordfabulous6198]

@@TAOutdoors thanks for the reply! I swear, man. If I knew about your channel before building my own primitive shelter, I might've had one that would last more than a year. I've searched tirelessly for a channel like yours, but never did. Yours is the best channel for it, above all others.

[@gayahithwen]

While I understand there's a need to trim some of the excess from the ends, wouldn't it make sense to leave a little more on each side? That way, you could potentially fit the ends of two wattle walls together a little tighter, giving you increased structural stability?

[@bobdriver7923]

I am just so interested in this wattle fencing. I might start with a shorter one like 3 ft tall to begin with. I love wood!

[@pkpas8852]

C'est toujours aussi cool er intéressant de te regarder, merci bcp pour ce partage

[@MedeniFilm]

Ovaj kanal je jedan od jos cetiri kanala koje ja pratim... Super je !

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookefarm8469]

I need to get back into this type of fence building ... I use to do it years ago as a teen.. I'm way beyond that now.

[@RichardWarden83]

Just finished mine but im really impressed with how you did this one.

[@seanbarber6945]

Been working on mine for a bit now still have about 25 feet to go then will send you pictures I did the fence around are property in the back this way the gf loves it my neighbor asked to do the rest of his backyard for him I do love how it looks thanks again for a great video

[@TAOutdoors]

No worries! Glad you enjoyed it

[@timmalmstrom7271]

Realy nice Mike 👍🏼

[@donniemabry6661]

I love your show Mike I miss the overnight at the Viking house hope your dad stay a night with you stay safe

[@rickywhite7578]

Excellent job.. and thank you for filling in my gaps of knowledge of the old world skills

[@allotmentsianthechef3470]

Thanks guys i have used your method but i made raised beds with it for my vegetable patch fences and it works amazing and so natural to infacw monty done in gardners worl done it to in his own garden cheers guys

[@johnbelcher7955]

I have always found it fascinating how's versatile making anything,walls, fish traps, bowls and containers,, laying Hedges, As well as more fashion and art with Celtic design works as well as platting hair! Also the making of string, we take it for granted nower days Not forgetting how great the woodlands would have looked!

[@awakenspirit3277]

Thank you for the video. I want to learn how to live off the land. Video like these inspire me. Please make more bless you.

[@erroleabrown4317]

Beautiful and so neatly done it makes me so happy thats yous get such a kick out of it

[@nowakezoneforever6021]

Excellent video, thank you for the work it takes to produce these. I have watched most of your build series and have long wanted to see one of these walls built from beginning to end. My woods have an abundance of buckeye saplings that will be an excellent substitute for hazel.

[@BeaverCraftTools]

Great idea to buld such an interesting fence. I'll definitely try to build it.

[@UnderTrack_]

That new kinda voicing on the 'timelapsed' parts is nice :thumbs_up:

[@tomgrantham9992]

I am 74, but young at heart You are young, in fact most people on You Tube are young. But, is really interesting that all these people share their life, without being too personal . SOCIAL Media can be an interesting thing . I have lived life fully and I have experienced many similar things. It is really nice that you guys share your ways of life. I like to see how people figure things out in other circumstances. Thank you and all other You Tubers that I follow. Keep up the great videos. If I was younger, I would put things on You Tube also. But, I am very busy living life . ( downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, woodworking, carving wild life, fishing, painting pictures and spending lots of time with my grandkids. ) So, I can live through you You Tube people. Looking forward to your next videos.

[@arcanis12]

I just bought myself a scotch eye auger and was going to bushcraft a ladder and platform in a tree for deer hunting. This looks like it could be used to make a ground blind thats light and easy to set up and move.

[@marabrousseau2082]

Really love the two perspectives of you and Dustin filming the same video!! ❤❤❤

[@glenmckenzie3243]

Beautiful!!!

[@troybranaman316]

I have learned a lot from you guys and your dad !!! I hope all is well and thank you for another great video !!! Take care

[@macjameson1930]

Brilliant video! Thanks for the lesson!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Great to see you and Dustin working in the woods again!

[@70foolio]

I have always wanted to make this type of fence for my garden. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@mackmack849]

Damn I love fences

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

Lol🍻

[@mikedavidson7064]

Good to see you having a good go at proper country crafts. It's good to keep these skills going. My Dad taught me how to make hurdles when I was a lad. Hot tip: chuck the silky saws in the bin and get a really good billhook - they've been improved upon over centuries especially for working hazel. There's a smith in Sutton Poyntz in Dorset near where your Dad goes fishing who makes a class product for thatchers. Maybe your Dad can get you one for your birthday ? Not a fan of the Silky Saw - I've got a small one and it's good for pruning 😊. Much prefer a bow saw for working in the woods - just works better. We used to split our hazel - makes it easier to manage and also twist and bind at the ends. The hurdle will also be lighter. We also bound ours every three or four weaves. Makes the fence stronger and more robust I reckon. Also recommend that the last hazel you lay that you go a couple of times round the last riser and 'weave' it into the previous hazel you laid. Again it makes the hurdle hold together better - especially when it dries out. And unless you are a gnarly country type, using a bodger to bed your hazels in will save you some aches and bruises !! Interesting to hear you call a twisted hazel a withy - never heard the word used in that context before. We used to call thin whippy tree (specially willow) shoots withies. So I looked up the etymology and it was interesting...

[@ArielleViking]

Wow, a jig of a type to make these hazel panels. Really fascinating to watch and a great use for that splintery old bed. 👍

[@NickVenture1]

Beautiful. Thank you for doing all this and the upload.

[@bxukuab583]

Thanks alot for sharing you knowledge 🙏❤️

[@janelightning73]

Really lovely panel. Thanks guys!

[@koasvandentoorn6158]

Such an integral video. Thanks! Can't wait to have my own pop at it!

[@littlebrookreader949]

Wonderful. I love this!

[@Bright_iiii_s]

Thank you I'm going to use that technique to make some trellises

[@user-rf2qe4gi4k]

man i love the sounds of the wooden mallet echoing in the forest

[@user-rf2qe4gi4k]

the grass is always greener when it comes to bushcraft haha, i feel like in Aus we have hard, sharp and heavy native wood, would be easier here to make a sand stone block bushcraft shelter XD

[@daverylance6456]

Finished product looks great guys. Love the build series and am hoping to build a roundhouse after lockdown! Picked up a lot from the series, thanks.

[@hamilton6827]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing.

[@crappo8459]

Beautifully done

[@BraxxJuventa]

Great job! Well done guys! 👍😁

[@77.77.7]

Thank you very much for this video. ❤️

[@storbunlimitedbushcraft6996]

Love this weave method of willow fencing.

[@storbunlimitedbushcraft6996]

Hazel sorry not willow. Can use willow for screening the same way tho

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

🍻

[@cheshirehomestead3574]

HE COPIED MY VIDEO

[@Jay-hv5hf]

Great video mate thank you so much

[@MedeniFilm]

I ovaj je super video...

[@terrymannbluemoonsoapco.1377]

Thank you. Useful information. Your channel showed up in my feed for whatever reason so I subscribed. You can't learn too many skills.

[@TAOutdoors]

Cheers! Welcome to the channel.

[@missymoonwillow6545]

learning so much! thank you.

[@paulmorgan450]

Absolutely love your videos, Mate! Need a lot more!

[@leesadexter7187]

Thank you so much for the video! I'm in N. Nevada & need a wind break for my 2 pet ducks. Tarps are such an eye sore & noisey too. Hazel doesn't grow here in the high desert..so I'll try & use sage elm & willow

[@AshOutdoorsUK]

Great video mike, just watched dustin’s too. Going to be a cracking build once it’s finished. Hope alls well, stay safe Ash 🏕

[@ezk9026]

Awesome!!

[@cooglerHere]

You guys are awesome; thanks for the tutorial, I'm looking forward to a serious education in this area.

[@bellelopez3261]

Beautiful

[@dawnitalutz1953]

I love that!

[@neilspinney1840]

Great job guys!!!

[@AnatolianOutdoors]

I was looking for ideas to fence my shelter. Then I saw your video. Gave me a lot of ideas. Thank you

[@amandaperry660]

Fascinating

[@alhidayahgunungpati]

Amazing, great video

[@karate4348]

beautiful thank-you

[@dulceamaya8603]

Great job guys, it's really nice to see Dustin again. Stay safe, healthy and positive.

[@theodorebear6714]

Plz give your dog a hug for me! He's so cute!!!! ❤️

[@GoranMagdic]

Great video, as usual. Keep safe. Can`t wait to see the rest of the build. :)

[@aidanhouse6128]

This is great 👍 Thanks for the amazing content yet again

[@zekemedia1310]

Really enjoy your videos, they make my day.

[@jamesiiichildofGod]

Looks Amazing 👍 God Bless 🙏🏼

[@brunosvlog24k]

Awesome, brothers!

[@boomartin3495]

That was so interesting!

[@bobbiesox6289]

That was great, you are right, it didn’t look that hard, just time consuming! Loved it! Take care, be safe! How’s your family?

[@TAOutdoors]

Doing well and keeping safe thanks Bobbie!

[@nathancunningham8514]

I love your videos keep it up!

[@Medieval_Mayhem]

Great video. Love it.

Good building and beautiful work

[@hawilivlogs245]

Really nice love it

[@mrzen8029]

I'm gonna do try this Thanks

[@mountain-roots]

Neighbors gone! Thanks for this, I like in the jungle and wanted a nature looking devider for our area... 🤙

[@jenniiferpiiter8868]

fine fence fine and it's all free !!!

[@kringles65]

Living good in the bush! Great T shirt.

[@Caesar-do2pl]

I made one of these for my garden today, ended pretty nice.

[@happydog4929]

Attractive and interesting, love it.

[@campervanjimbob3764]

Good stuff. Love ya dad's channel. 💙❤💙❤

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Mike .

[@pauln2661]

@13:50 using your saw and scotch auger, you can make wooden hinges that go over an outside vertical within the wattle. Then you have a gate! :)

[@lis819]

Brilliant! Thanks :))

[@nofrontinthisreal6114]

Love this one

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

🍻

[@TAOutdoors]

Thanks for watching