Clearing a Driveway on Raw Land | Felling trees with a Chainsaw

We make substantial progress cutting a driveway and clearing an area for a future cabin at our second property. After felling 80 trees with the chainsaw, we see the potential this property has to offer.
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[@mitchmellalieu]

If you could document the whole process of building this property up for the next couple years, it would be so helpful to many! Stay safe

[@LtColDaddy71]

It would also be a pretty darn good business move on their part as media content providers. People eat that stuff up like a fat kid eats cake.

[@james_jr]

@@LtColDaddy71 hey col. I like cake..haha

[@marytymoshuk7176]

yes please

[@paula5935]

I just love Bo. So surprised he and Bandit are the same age. Bo acts like wisdom of the ages

[@marycontraire3896]

The contrast between Bo and Bandit in this video is hilarious. Bandit is all, “Sticks! Excitement!” And Bo is just annoyed that Eric made him move his nap from the truck to the forest floor.

[@justinmcleod141]

I'd lean more towards getting a chipper in for the brush and smaller limbs. Set aside a small clearing and chip it into a huge pile. Your chickens would enjoy it, and your garden too.

[@8unnyphuphu]

They could also use the chips as an outline for the gravel

[@sojournertruth231]

When cutting down the big trees🌲, you're suppose to yell "TIMBER" to get the full dramatic effect. 😄👍

[@dixsigns1717]

LOL, funny :))

[@brendajones9467]

No Worry's... I said it for him each time. LOL

[@sharonbeauford7398]

Brenda Jones Me Too!! I’m used to the sound effects my BF’s granddaughter, when you turn a corner she does”squealing brakes” sound effect. Then if you have to stop quickly she gives a “whoa” out. It’s funny as heck she started doing it when she was little, mainly because her Pepaw does it.

[@brendajones9467]

@@sharonbeauford7398 LOL...

[@timberhills1778]

TIMBER

[@morgansword]

This comment comes from a neighbor kids, just down the road oh thirty or more miles. I have cut a lot of trees professionally and one thing I remember is if it loses its leaves then its our hardwood trees and the sap of the tree goes up it in the spring and down in the winter months. Those trees are the most unstable and can hurt you real bad if they split while falling. The tree will split vertically and kick outward like a moose or horse. The part that kicks out on the backside can split the length of the tree to where many limbs are and yet it will keep splitting if any pressure is still on that tree. That is called in logging terms "barber chairing" as it will often spin on the stump as well. In order to be safe, we used a snap chain to go around the but of the tree being fell. Keeping fairly close to where its being cut at on the base of this tree you wrapped the safety chain around a few times as that chain unless huge will break under this much pressure. Taking the chain and wrapping it around you find ways to tuck it under the wraps that you make. Practice till you have it figured out as it is costly for that chain to hit the blade of your saw.... I would call it when two chains meet and no one likes what happens next. Most the time if it does, it will only nick a tooth or two. Not so bad if a old chain is the sacrificial one. If you have any soft spots in this road way that your putting in, go down far enough to bury some tree tops and brush and then the typar and the gravel and it is called a corduroy road. Trees that are completely buried, don't rot as fast, and in fact take years giving the bed of the road a chance to heal in and become stable. Did this for a while as I am 73 and have built roads like that all over Petersville road. Out past gold creek and many others. Those roads are still used today and were put in over forty or more years ago. I think what your doing is very smart to do. Many people are not put off by the marshes that form out here... I don't care for the mosquitoes or flies but so what, peppermint oil kinda keeps them at bay and I am sure that you know more than me on that subject. Great videos as always

[@tina7151]

I live on the other side of the world and the upload time is really bad for my sleep. But who cares, whenever I see a new video I have to watch it.

[@SmallSeeds]

Excited to see how all of this turns out over the next couple years. You guys are such hard workers. It's great to watch the beginning of this process and be able follow along in future videos.

[@Flowergurl2000]

Great resources on that new property! Yay chainsaw pants! Fantastic logwalls!

[@cherreellewellyn2421]

I used to work for Stihl in Australia, so I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you wearing chaps.

[@vietnamvetsrock8080]

I glory in yall;s spunk! I'm close to 67 yo, have lung cancer & trying to homestead on a small 4 lot lake plot. My main trouble is not being able to get enough full sun, but I keep trying & also to improve my soil. I'be been watching your channel for... well forever. Anyway being as I know you tube pays yall on viewed hours & thumbs up I make sure when I go out to work in the yard I leave your vids I've seen just running! Gotta run up the viewed hours! Anyway keep on keepin on & THANK YOU so much for all ya do.

[@nanagram13]

Glad to see you are wearing your protective & safety equipment! PILING BRUSH, I remember those days.

[@hr6128]

really glad to see you wearing proper safety gear and setting an example!

[@joesamsally]

Nice to see yall. Those doggos living that good life.

[@HurjaPena]

Nature there in Alaska is very similar to what we have here in Finland. Birch is great for burning, even comes with it's own firestarter, birch bark. Love that stuff.

[@SbrGrendel65]

Right but I’ve never seen them use birch bark as firestater, which baffles me. Plus the dry small twigs branches as kiln to start a fire. But they know if they need it or not

[@HurjaPena]

@@SbrGrendel65 Maybe they are not aware how great it is. Usually when you split Birch, some of The bark comes off and is very handy to pile up to dry. I dont Even need any small twigs to light up our oven, dry Birch and a piece of Birch bark does it for me every Time. :)

[@juikke]

Fall is a little ahead there if you compare it to Finland(about same lattitude). I follow several off grid channels in North America and i’ve noticed that they use alot of dry twigs and sticks. I tried It myself sometime ago doing fire to my log cabin sauna and It is working pretty good.

[@christophercummins5636]

@@MyAlaska12 stop lying come on man that enough

[@tipgiles5432]

Your channel in one of my go to channels. We live in the suburbs of Austin, Texas, (since 1986) , on a lot and were also able to purchase the lot beside our house. We garden and live as lightly as we can and enjoy watching people be so self sustain as y'all. Y'all inspired me to grow a variety of herbs and a roselle hibiscus that I'm planning to dry and make tea mixtures. Our peppers sucked this year, so I keeping buying out a vendor at the farmers market to make the cowboy candy that y'all did a few videos ago. I am trying my hand at growing kohlrabi and cabbage this year and plan to make a batch of the coleslaw that y'all had today. It's so nice to see people talk the talks and then walk the walk. Keep on keeping on. Peace. Joy Giles

[@jonihughey1352]

The doggie was watching every move when you opened the jars of food. So cute! Y’all are the hardest working folks I’ve ever seen. Great video!

[@enjoylife1176]

Glad to see you wearing chaps...keep rolling on.

[@Pharphette]

Bandit is helping eating the sticks and Bo doesn’t wanna work but sleep at home.

[@canamrider7195]

Chainsaws sitting on the ground are magnets for falling trees.

[@clarelove3738]

I am REALLY excited to see you embarking on this big project. It's gonna keep me viewing for a looong time 👍👏😃🥰

[@regenabussdieker7891]

clearing raw land is such a great full body workout!

[@boringbethoney]

I love following along with your projects and all things food! You're my kind of people! Sending warm regards from SW Ontario 🇨🇦❤

[@g.s.7022]

You two are always so busy. In addition, you are always thinking of something new. You can't get bored at all. Good luck with your future plans🤩☘️💫

[@Jan-cr2lg]

Those white birch trees are gorgeous, especially with those dark green spruce in the background. Lovely aerial footage! I so appreciate you sharing and making my Sunday meal entertaining.

[@Jj443re]

Having a bright goofy looking lanyard or keychain is a decent idea when you're in the outdoors. Best wishes, thanks for the content.

[@jehsdca]

You've really worked hard the last few days clearing the trees you need removed! 80 trees so far is a lot of trees to cut down, cut up and stack. All that in addition to moving out the unwanted brush! It's already easy to see you are going to gave a beautiful setting! Am I correct in thinking you had previously planned for this property to be a cabin you rented out for vacationers? Perhaps there isn't enough useable land for you chickens, gardening and food storage but it sure seems like a nice place to live!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Jeffrey Holmes that was our original plan 😃

[@robwestley7370]

Sandra WESTLEY so if that was the original plan, what’s the plan change to, lol sounds like it’s going to be for you

[@hartiaacres]

Having just spent the last 2mths doing similar. I can relate to the hard work. I started out using chaps as well. But after a couple weeks . I invested in some faller pants. Paid $100.00 CDN, $$$ well spent. Less hang ups when crawling over terrain. And fallen trees during delimbing. Goodluck with the new spot.

[@ashley-wildsoulroots6387]

I just bought 40 acres of raw land up by Montana Creek and your videos are motivation for clearing my land the affordable way.

[@ChiefMAKOi]

I'm planning to do something like this (homesteading) for my retirement. Great content as always!

[@murrayandru7527]

That sounds like a plan I had , retirement came and Dr said I developed an Aneurysm and will die if it pops. Live your life to the fullest everyday, why wait till retirement ????

[@Kupo_Kaachan]

@@murrayandru7527 Well said. Life is short and anything can happen. I'm 22 and I've soon saved enough money to start living my dream life: simple homesteading in a tiny house. I'm not going to wait longer than I have to. If you can do it now, do it!

[@danielleterry180]

Do it now brother I waited and it was absolute hell should have done it when I got land as I was younger and stronger would still have been hard but nothing like it was when I was 15 years older

[@danielleterry180]

Kay Varg look at where you want to live get in touch with that county get the tax seized sale list most send it for free look at the resale list find the ones your interested in and go look walk the property so you know what your truely getting can get land really cheap doing this good luck and keep your dreams

[@aliceserna614]

@@Kupo_Kaachan remember to check codes to see if tiny houses are allowed. Just check all codes as to what you can or can't do. Everything changes from county to county and even states.

[@sailme2day]

great lumber jacking video . I will say using webges on the back cut gives just a enough extra control and safety to consider adding to your tool set :) I was cutting down some very very big trees. Got in a rush on a windy day. the skid steer was coming and we have to get the trees down . 160 footer , pinched my nearly new sthil 025 bar in the final cut, because the wind shifted. I stood there watching as the tree changed direction , rotated on the stump and many thousands of lbs of tree disintegrated my saw , with the butt of the trunk and fell , 180 degrees from the target. ha ha , I feel your pain , dang that murphy factor. You really did a great job in the controlled clean out and future planning. Nice to hear and see , safety first . so many folks take it for granted. Keep sharing your journey and building your youtube follower base. Pennies make dollars. yep winter is coming soon. :)

[@dorcaspowellpowell5971]

This video was shot so well. I love the aerial views so beautiful.

[@melissamoskaluk3159]

This is exactly what I plan to do on my new property. Thank you for this video!

[@Jormvngandr]

When cutting down bigger trees, make sure to cut them as close to the ground as possible, to minimizing the chance of the log jumping straight back at you. And dont forget the helmet.. Gonna follow the development of this property with interest.

[@MagdaRantanplan]

Maybe the stumps are so tall because they plan to use them as lever for pulling out the roots. At least that is as i understood him saying it. And we did it that way too a few years back.

[@mabamabam]

If you leave the stumps long they are easier to push out of the ground.

[@purplelake2437]

I like the music you pick. Thank you

[@joharmon2148]

Looks like some great firewood once its seasoned. Lots done in those 5 days cutting out the driveway and the spot for the cabin. To bad about losing the keys and smashing the chain saw hope it repairable.

[@cherylmatthews9270]

Excellent job guys!

[@oldmanwinter1405]

One thing I sure miss since moving from Colorado to Washington about 20 years ago is the quakies in the autumn. Thanks Eric and Arielle for sharing part of your lives with us.

[@susanhighfield8284]

Exciting to watch the next adventure taking shape. Loved it!

[@iartistdotme]

Winter is a season of dreaming. This is very exciting and will be fun to watch you both working projects for it.

[@AfterTheRains]

The silver birch with sunlight on them are such a beautiful contract to the greenery.

[@raeperonneau4941]

So glad you got chaps, Eric!

[@loveis110706]

EXCITING! THANKS for bringing us along.

[@k.m.5499]

Can't wait to see what you guys decide to do with the property!

[@Angela152half]

I was looking forward to your video. I binge watched all your videos to catch up to when I found your channel. It’s like watching my kids at work.

[@jameswallace3043]

You are the super off-grid woman keep the good work up I appreciate you

[@GaryD35205]

The land you have is awesome. Having your cabin face the bog is a great idea. The view will give you much enjoyment in the years to come.

[@sonny1785]

That's great you got your own piece of land, we're fixing great grampas old cabin

[@julieross546]

Wow, I am tuckered out just watching this! You folks are hard workers.

[@wildwoodoffgridalaska]

You mentioned a mini ex for clearing stumps. I highly recommend a bulldozer instead. From our experience this year, we found that the bulldozer made stump removal much easier and you’re able to use the same equipment to remove your top soil prior to bringing in gravel. You always want to remove any organics before building your road or pad, that is of course if possible.

[@Aaron-hype]

I’m doing this very thing in a couple days in Tennessee. My plan is to cut some trees and use my Massey tractor to pull a lot of it out. I’m undecided on the best way for the stump removal. You think a dozer is best? I was leaning that way myself.

[@wildwoodoffgridalaska]

@@Aaron-hype Our trees up here have shallow root systems, so a bulldozer is the way to go. If your trees have deep roots you may need to use an excavator to dig stumps.

[@Aaron-hype]

@@wildwoodoffgridalaska I appreciate the reply. Makes sense. Thank you sir. Going to pick me up a Husqavarna 550 today. Be safe out there.

[@rogerbettencourt9654]

I absolutely love the way you both talk to us (the camera), you guys were born for this type of thing, and you also kick butt on the homesteading front. Thanks for sharing.

[@jodytempleton-jackson1377]

You two work so Great with each other and always paying attention to the situation 😀

[@angielester26]

I love your ambitions and abilities. So inspiring

[@terrykunst3883]

Love seeing the boys along at the new property!

[@dinahquillen9380]

I know that was hard work, but I felt it so relaxing. Thanks for sharing.

[@ytfp]

Great to see the chaps and the safety gear!

[@janetpaulsen195]

Thank you for sharing your life with us. I love the sound of the chain saw ! I’m glad you take the precautions you do.

[@lunamaria9883]

I love Aspen...such beautiful trees and they're root system is so amazing...showing how they coexist. It's like your relationship. You work with so much harmony...whether it's gardening, cooking, hunting, fishing and processing you meat, canning and storing...you amaze me. And now this huge project, you just dive right in as a team. I've asked a number of times as to how you fund your living needs that require purchases that you can't gain from the hard work you do. I know nothing comes free. But I see over time, equipment and supplies. For anyone interested in taking on a life like this, where does the cash come from. I know you two live very frugally, but how do you manage with what must be purchased. Help an old girl out. I love your channel kids. I always look forward to the next video.

[@bonesbigfoot2654]

They make money on KZbin.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

You should consider leaving one of those logs long, and use it to install a log gate between trees & in from the road, so that not any yahoo can trample across your land, steal wood with trailer access, etc. Also save the Birch for lumber for finish planks & furniture, etc.! Can you 'reclaim' some of that bog on the right of your path for projects like fields, etc.? Can you take some aerials around the whole property to show the limits? I know you're close to the airport so be careful & keep it low... 🙂

[@sharonbeauford7398]

JP Tucson, AZ I was the same thing about the wood when Ariel was sticking that wood so nice and straight.

[@susanapplegate9758]

We were early residents on the Anchorage Hillside and we did this exact thing the year my family of 8 moved up, 1970; I remember it well but with a lot more hand digging. And the spruce were all pre-beetle kill. I’m still here, still love it, despite all the changes. Great video, I really enjoy everything you share!

[@twogirlshomestead60]

Cute I see your dog is helping with the moving of sticks

[@susiemurphy1476]

Have spent many weekends helping to cut firewood and clear. You all are doing great.

[@cathyjones3403]

I love your work ethic 👏👏👏👏👏👏 you are both go getters

[@queenbee3647]

You two are hard workers. Your channel is about Simple Living....when you build your new house you wont go nuts and make it like a spa will you? Please keep it simple! Love Beau - my man! 💖

[@kristinwerner5519]

You guys mentioned a cabin?! Are you building it yourselves? This is going to be an exciting project to watch! (Yay!)

[@philipcongilaro5869]

Nice, thanks for sharing and thanks for all you do to show us.

[@jameswalsh6678]

So glad we discovered your channel. We watch a lot of KZbin and we are very impressed with the quality of your videos. Thank you.👍

[@GrandpaBees]

Quick comment about the Aspen, we call Popple here in MN, its great to start a cold wood stove as it burn hot and quick. Great for building a hot coal base. I also grill will split no bark popple. Good results.

[@boboallan1]

We had to have a study & permit for every tree we needed to cut. You are lucky to clear as you please. TIMBER!

[@chapter4travels]

California?

[@valh9858]

Same in Maryland. It sucks

[@BrianKrahmer]

Heat per cord: Aspen 18.2, Birch 20.8 (MBTU/cord). They are practically the same.

[@dhansonranch]

Good job felling those trees Eric! One hanger is pretty darn good! I was glad to hear you were bringing in an excavator to stump the place - when you cut trembling aspen (AkA Quaking aspen or white poplar) at this time of year it will sucker like crazy in the spring. Just a tid bit, if you don't want it to sucker as bad, cut the tree down within a month following leaf flush. And if you want it to dry well for burning..cut it down after leaf flush and leave it whole for the summer...the leaves draw all the moisture out of the stem. I love burning poplar! It is a clean burn and if properly seasoned it has good heat too....not as good as birch, but pretty good. I try to put a couple poplar logs in as the last logs when stoking the fire...as it leaves a nice bed of coals for starting the morning fire...great for cooking on too. Was a bit surprised by the music choice (not what I figured you would listen to...lol) but it was fitting! Good job!

[@CmoreAnts]

I just watched the “prequel” to this episode this morning! It will be exciting to watch the cabin build!

[@ciaobella8963]

Great job guys. Well done! What a precious spot for a cabin. and that's an exciting prospect.

[@dumitracheviorelalexandru9113]

If you have the time ,in spring, hope you can find a wood cheeper and then have mulch material for the garden. Ever thought about growing mushrooms on wood stumps and decaying wood ?

[@AnAlaskaHomestead]

Ouch that sucks on the losing the keys to the truck and it’s super sucks hitting the chainsaw. Hey I didn’t see any body footage, was the camera angles wrong and what do you think of the chest harness? Great job to the both of you. Team work makes the dream work.👍

[@aesbj9228]

There were a couple of shots from the chest rig when he was felling trees.

[@robertnelson8479]

Very exciting, was wondering about the second property. Can't wait to see what kind of cabin you build.

[@owbeer]

brush here is used to make a nice fence, you just weave them thru some posts or logs. it slowly rots away and you dont have to chip or burn it.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

I've seen the previous videos on the property and am so glad to see the work actually begin. (as I am sure you are too) Looking forward to the next video as per usual. More power to you and yours!

[@sherriekemper1828]

While I can't imagine doing this myself, I'm fascinated watching your progress. You are both so multi-talented.

[@miikesternberg6947]

We just burned 21 piles of slash on our property yesterday. Similar situation. Thanks for sharing.

[@galeharris6696]

Although not a great hardwood, aspen can keep your chimney clean, due to burning hot and getting the creosote out! Always enjoy your videos, thank you.

[@juliadomenis5344]

My husband and I did something like you, ( life style) was very hard and rewarding. I couldn't deal with the mosquitos. We love your show. Keep going. Love Claudio and Julia. BC Canada.

[@SalLeeHolland]

Keep up the good work. So sorry about the chain saw, and your keys! You need one of those things people use to find things, but I am sure it would be hard just to see the keys with all the leaves over them. I know some people save the saw dust for their out house. and they even save it when planking the wood by following with a bucket. Then they put it in a big garbage bucket to keep on hand, and a little bucket inside the out house. My neighbor had a chain saw that just wasn't working at all! I said if you go with me to get one, I will buy one and you can use it if you cut down things for me too. He just has to do the up keep when he uses it. I paid for it. Thought that was a great deal!

[@bonesbigfoot2654]

That's a lot of trees to cut down. Lots of hard work and your chainsaw sure got a workout. Hopefully your good chainsaw is fixable! I live in Minnesota so I know about all of the hard work that goes into clearing out land. We have a lot of that going on our property, 53 acres, (which is mostly wooded) that we bought where we plan on building a house. We also have a lot of downfall but it's hard to get into with so many large trees....oak, maple, etc. This is going to look great! I look forward to watching your progress!

[@margaux6339]

Can’t wait to see your new vegetable garden😍😍😍

[@АлексРябоконь]

С удовольствием смотрю Ваш канал, правда ни хрена не понимаю по английски, но догадываюсь как там хорошо и завидую белой завистью ведь побывать на Аляске моя хрустальная мечта детства. Удачи Вам!

[@juliadomenis5344]

Congratulations! You guys are awesome TV producers. The job editting is excellent. Love you show.

[@joeysmith1853]

You two make a great team . Awesome video thanks for sharing with us.

[@HHeirloomIA]

Superb action taking place! I'm loving the filmwork... drone views are stunning. 💖

[@karenp5630]

You two are truly amazing.

[@jonnyw82]

Young people watch videos about how to be successful, famous, wealthy etc. Those who have already learned that those things don’t matter watch videos about living a simple, modest and authentic lifestyle. Simple Living Alaska is a prime example.

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

Love ya guys, and the music... bless you both. Much work you’ve accomplished!!!

[@andregagne9365]

OMG, i am actually subscribed to both Simple Living Alaska and Chief Makoi channels - they are so far apart. wow. Cheers from Canada.

[@susannegalligan8600]

Thanks for the close up on Beau’s beautiful face! I don’t think I know anything about your plans for this property...yet. I’m ready to follow along because it will be a vicarious adventure!

[@kimeverhart6253]

I love Beau...so gentle, with the sweetest face.

[@johannestejder4469]

Aspen is a good woodtype to keep your chimney clean from soot. I know its energyvalue isnt as high as birch but mix it in and you wont regret it

[@jeffp3926]

You two are so impressive too watch! You both work together so well! Thank you for sharing your videos!

[@danamama6766]

This is wonderful and an outlet after the garden is gone to bed for the winter. I love the change of seasons to. And going on to the next work. That will be such a beautiful cabin getaway I can not wait to see it. hugs

[@kellyheidel4337]

I really look forward to seeing this place take shape! I love everything about your videos...the information, the music, the beautiful scenery, the editing...everything. I am amazed by you two. And Bo is my spirit animal.

[@steveturpin4242]

Good to see protective leggings Eric. Dangerous to legs are our beloved chainsaws. You guys working hard!

[@chasse24peche]

Awesome job! Birch makes some good firewood! that husky rips too