Our Forest is Gone! I Bought a House in the Middle of Sweden’s WOODLAND

Hey guys! Just a quick video while I settle into work. I talk about the recent forestry work that has been taking place in my area and giving a good piece of advice to anyone looking to buy a house in Sweden.
00:00 Intro
01:45 The damage
02:50 Advice
04:16 What are we gonna do?
05:34 Dealing with the situation
06:35 The company's response
08:20 Outro

[@Swiergotka78]

I believe the majority of people watching videos of vast forest taken somewhere in Europe are not aware that most forest are under active management and will be logged sometime in the future. Unless they are under some form of protection. But anyway, the majority of forest in Sweden are plantations for harvest and treated that way. You might find it shocking but it's a simple matter of demand for wood and wood products, which make us all responsible. On the other hand, if you buy a property near state owned forests, it's a pretty safe bet that these won't be sold for housing or any other land use. So while it might be loud and messy when forest parts gets logged every now and then, trees will be replanted. If you buy a property in some sort of a protected area, be it N2000 or a landscape park, you will have regulations imposed on your property regarding building and management, down to fances and building pathways. So there are always pros and cons. One thing that is possible on state owned land vs private forest is to petition for taking some parts out of active management due to the presence of rare protected species. Not easy to get it done though and will only save some smaller patches. But it's worthwhile to check your area for such species. Not sure how this applies to privately owned forests, though.

[@LILY-os1vo]

I totally agree with you. When we purchased our own farm land in Slovenia, which belongs to N2000 protected area and species, we also have to sign paper of law of regulations that we will follows the orders and don’t do something harmful to the protected lands area. And they have an endless list of what to do and what NOT to do 😂

[@benjaminkarl7764]

Could not have said it better👍

[@lilly6766]

It is a joy to see a forest grow. In just a couple of years you will be amazed how it changes. ❤

[@theNamesPhillip]

Thanks for your positivity, I really love to hear it!! 😊

[@CheeseLovingGuy]

​@@theNamesPhillipI think you will come to love it. You still have buckets of trees around but now you also have open space and will get to see different aspects of nature. Enjoy. And yes love it. The forest will grow with you. 😊

[@chriscansdale6389]

Hi Phillip, I actively avoided buying a rural property that had plantations anywhere nearby (and/or on the boundary) here in Australia for 2 main reasons. The first is the SIGNIFICANT increase in fire risk (in the Australian climate) and the second I'd because of the bloody mess they leave when they log. (Your area seems a lot better managed). Having said that, there is one aspect that you didn't mention and may not have considered... in my opinion, you bought that house at about just the right time. If it had already been recently logged, you may well have been put off, not having been able to see what the forest could look like. The other reason is that you will get something like 10, 15 or 20 years benefit knowing that after replanting, no one will be back to log the forest again and you get to enjoy the forest as it grows for its full lifetime before re harvesting... A bit of selective planting on your part could add to the buffer that blocks the 'damage' you have to see in the meantime, but overall, I think you have some very considerate loggers working there! Good to see an update, look forward to seeing what's next..

[@KimberlySimpson04]

Living in British Columbia 🇨🇦 ,I too noticed how TIDY that operation was! Neat piles of tree branches, and logs pulled, but no other mess and debris. Looks like the ground has hardly been eaten up by those machines like they are here!!

[@jaysmith8199]

I should imagine going into a Swedish company is quite difficult for a non Swede. Give yourself time to adjust. As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day! Take advantage of the space where the trees have come down. Wild flowers etc will grow in the light which will be lovely to walk in when spring comes.

[@theNamesPhillip]

It has definitely been a challenge but something I’ve wanted to do for such a long time so that I can really start to assimilate. The company I work for being amazing about it as well and have enrolled me into a program in order to get my Swedish to a fluent level which is unbelievable to me 😁 That is definitely the best way you could possibly look at it , thanks for that positivity!! 😊

[@DebbHarper]

Your positivity is just what I expected ❤ the trees will grow back and you and Merja have so many plans to support your local wildlife and plantlife. I am picturing the dr Dolittle scene in my head and Snowwhite washing dishes scene 🤣 xxx

[@jeroenpuyman6664]

Hello Phillip! Just stumbled on your channel and seen the last few video,s about the house and the property! I hope you make an update video soon! It would be nice to see it all in spring time! Greetings from Holland!

[@peterkoolwijk439]

But such a blessing! Good for you. It happend with the hectare on the southside of our house too and the extra light in the garden was just great. The forest that is growing back is not nicely cleaned and so replanted like yours will be, but that's no problem for us. It came back with lots of raspberry and very dense growth of mostly birch.After six-seven years it is now around 4 till 5 meters high. Maybe the forrest company wants to sell you those few hectares around the house. With this you keep it more light and airy and you can even let a real, natural, forest grow back?

[@berettaberetta7453]

"here is my hand for scale" made me laugh :D

[@theNamesPhillip]

😂

[@abbygailcoyle]

I definitely need try work on adopting your mindset about the whole situation. When you were talking about how there's really nothing you can do about the fact that it's happening and that you just need to control your reaction to it, it really resonated with me. We live in Ireland, and I think that most people are aware of how severe our housing crisis is. We bought a house in the midlands two years ago and the back of our home looks out over a green and then just miles of forrest behind it. They've started to built a row of 3 storey terraces on the otherside of the green, so we'll never have that forrest view again once the houses are up. I'm devastated and angry about it, but it is what it is. I'll take your mindset and try to absorb it deep into my soul for the next time I hear construction sounds. Great video. I'm sorry they cut everything down, but at least you'll get to experience the lifecycle of a forrest from the start, which will be magnificent.

[@MewDenise]

My mom owns forest. Our family gathers and plant new trees when the workers have come and taken the old ones.

[@myswedishcottagegarden]

I´m sorry that you lost the neighboring forest. Here in Sweden the forestry usually work in 70-100 year cycles. New trees will grow, and be ready for harvest for the owners grand kids... It looks sad now, but will start growing new seedlings in just a few years. Maybe you get a whole forest of raspberries in a few years. That is not so uncommon. 🙂

[@marcofsw]

In a few years, the area will be covered with impenetrable new forrest. Til then, raspberries will grow everywhere… The plants that will be set out grow slower than the wild trees and are left in order to force the plants to grow taller. After a decade or so the fast growing plants (birch e.g.) will be trimmed.

[@tomtombird]

No thumps up this time because I´m shocked. I admire your calmness and understanding. For me it is heartbreaking - sorry. Sending you both best whishes ! (Jag bor nära Husum - inte en skog, utan kusten ;-))

[@theNamesPhillip]

Thank you and I totally understand, it is definitely surprising! Thanks for the support! Åh superfint, inga problem med skogen då 😅

[@marionbartley214]

Hello I enjoyed this video about the forest, it's good that you were able to find out about the future of the forest. I'm wishing you best of luck with the out come of it all. Looking forward to the next video.

[@theNamesPhillip]

Thank you very much!! 😁

[@susanne4028]

That was really honest and informative. Thank you.

[@carolineleonard8214]

This happened where I live in Wales. A whole mountain side and Moor area. It was planted when I was born in 1964. After a few years the stumps rot and they'll plant new trees because wood is worth it.

[@doralynnsfunwreathstorrill8620]

So glad they are going to plant trees in that area

[@theNamesPhillip]

Yes me too! I was scared that they were going to build something there instead of replanting so I’m relieved to know, it’s not the case 🙂 And the fact that I believe they’re going to do it correctly rather than in the 60s, where they didn’t

[@98Zai]

The reason they were very forthcoming with you about the logging was not necessarily because they want to be nice, it's probably because you have a lot of power regarding this. The value of your property has decreased, you have some tools to cause trouble for them. On a different note, they are required by EU law to leave a certain percentage of trees after logging in order to help the diversity, so I suspect they broke the law. (Unless they sold the wood outside of EU) It's hard to say since I don't know the details, did they leave trees around the edges? Is that little patch of trees enough to comply with the law? It's likely the patch of trees was inaccessible. But the gist is that if it's completely logged then they have damaged the environment and can't sell the wood in the EU. If you were to research this and maybe raise the question with a court, you could perhaps prevent the rest of your surrounding forest to become a huge ugly scar like this one did. (they would have to take a few trees gradually over many many years, so there are trees of different ages across the forest) The rest of the forest will be logged sooner or later, it's just a matter of time. I've seen many of my favorite forests I grew up in suffer the same fate, and it breaks my heart every time. The Swedish forests may look amazing, but they are simply monoculture industries. It's really up to us to keep them on their toes if we ever want to see a change in the world.

[@pjk1714]

Bit of a shock I'm sure but removing also limits risk of transferring disease, and possible floor fires. I do hope they were willing to leave a few cores of wood for you.

[@theNamesPhillip]

Yes, it’s a bit sweet feeling! Oh, I really hope so too 😂

[@BolinFoto]

0,3 percent of ALL forests in Sweden are Old-growth forest, the rest are all managed by people in one way or the other. I live in Småland and everyone are raving about the old forests in Småland not knowing that 400 years ago there were almost no forests in Småland. The same in Halland that place should be just open grasslands. The entire country is like one giant Garden.

[@adamuppsala1931]

You sound so Swedish when you pronounce Swedish words. You even have the Swedish twang when you speak English. You should do podcasts!

[@ivettabauman]

In Latvia, when such fellings are carried out, the forest is cleaned up, and a new stand is planted, in about 4-5 years the trees stretch out considerably.

[@theNamesPhillip]

I will definitely look forward to 4 years time when we get to see a baby forest starting to grow 😁

[@NicoScorpio]

Hi Phillip my man, I feel you there! That sucks ass 😢 But you might find it lovely to experience a forest grow rather than slowly wither. In 10 years these pine trees will be 40 feet tall already, just a hiatus really

[@janeskeet3506]

Thanks once again for another informative video with sound advice for us house hunting souls. Also, so pleased the company were so accommodating and supplied reassurances regarding no infrastructure etc and are replanting the forest, this time hopefully a healthy stock and well maintained one. If that was the UK you know you'd have a housing estate going up and a dual carriageway by next week at the bottom of your garden 😔

[@theNamesPhillip]

Thanks so much! Yes they are great and that was my first thought as well, oh no they’re going to make a high speed railway or something 😅 thankfully not the case!

[@anneofgreengables1619]

The forest will quickly regrow. Such is the cycle of life. You will be amazed at all the life that will spring up now. I have the same thing happen here in finland but these were really old trees that needed to be cut. I was grateful for the extra sunlight & openness.

[@simon_vann]

Will be interesting to see what understory growth pops up now that light will be hitting the ground. Amazing what is lying dormant in the soil waiting for woodland to be cleared. Nice to see that they are trying to leave you a screen to protect your view.

[@theNamesPhillip]

I’m hoping for a lot of edible mushrooms, that would be a great outcome! 😅

[@simon_vann]

@@theNamesPhillip 🍄🍄😆

[@anythingbymerja]

Wow, I hadn't even seen your footage from the damage and it made my jaw drop! Completely different seeing it like that 😮 but yes, it will be planted again and I do look forward to being able to see northern lights better 😍 and hopefully it will be full of summer flowers and butterflies 🌸☺

[@theNamesPhillip]

Oh yeah I forgot to show it 😅 and mushrooms 🍄!!!

[@thomascleo]

❤❤❤

[@nissafors]

Hi, Im Peter from sweden. I found your vlog and watched some episodes. Im glad you like it here in Sweden. It seems to be very popular right now for young foreign people to buy houses here and make vlogs over the project. There are several such new channels now. Sorry about the forests though. So what are your plans, to live here or just use the house on vacations?

[@theNamesPhillip]

Hej Peter tack så mycket för din kommenterar! Jag är super populärt just nu, jag tror att andra land har blivit för dyr för de flesta, åtminstone Storbritannien och Irland. Så jag har bott i Sverige sedan 2019 och vill spendera resten av mitt liv här. Jag har precis fått ett jobb i Karlstad som en UX designer och mitt mål är att bli helt flytande på svenska så att det är nästan omöjligt att veta jag är faktiskt engelsk 😂

[@nissafors]

@@theNamesPhillip Hej, tack för ditt svar. Ska bli kul att följa din vlogg. Ha det bra i Värmland.

[@KimberlySimpson04]

I was thoroughly amazed at how tidy it was compared to what i see locally! What are they going to do with the branch piles? If they do big slash burns like here, it's going to be quite smokey for a month or so (or more). Another benefit to this though, is that you've cut your wildfire risk to your property quite significantly!! This is good with the increased wildfires around the world. I live in northern British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦, and logging and Forestry are big economic drivers here too.

[@98Zai]

The empty logged areas spread fire more rapidly as soon as bushes start to pop up. A well kept forest keeps the wind out and retains moisture. There are new EU laws that prevent this type of forestry for this reason (among others).

[@petter5721]

We had lots of problems with barkborre and you have to cut down infested trees.

[@acajutla]

Probably won't be as much spruce planted as before, which means brighter and more varied forest

[@bjornotter4298]

Bark borer

[@-rm-rf]

Just wanted to say that you guys should take some steps to protect your informaiton , got interested to know where you found a house for 1,3 MSEK in Sweden and took me one google search to find it, not sure if you are trying to keep it private or maybe you’ve mentioned it in a video but just watched a couple and you didn’t mention it. So just thought I let you know how easy it was to find the full address.

[@philt77]

Even USA are buying so much timber from Sweden so not much old forest left. Everyone buying. Swedish forest for years

[@richardlind3806]

Hi Philip...you look very swedish 😁

[@morayahp-c4343]

Part of life “let go and welcome the new” … nobody wants sick trees on their land … ❤

[@TreesAndWheels]

I will wait patiently for the next 20 years for the 'Watch our forest grow' time lapse video 🤪 Also, "here's my hand for scale"🤣

[@theNamesPhillip]

That’s going to be one heck of a livestream 😂

[@yvonneh1457]

Phillip?!?!?! Where have you gone?!?!?! I just started following your vids and now you've disappeared... LOL! I hope all is well! And I hope you will be making more vids!

[@theNamesPhillip]

Hi there Yvonne! 👋 I am hoping to get some new content out soon! I had a bit of stress health wise and then my job taking a lot of energy but I think I’m starting to feel better now 😁 thanks for checking up, I will dust off the drawing board 😅

[@yvonneh1457]

@@theNamesPhillip Sorry to hear about your troubles, but good to hear things are looking up! 👍Take your time and heal/rest! Just wanted to be sure you hadn't fallen off the face of the Earth! 😄

[@captaincarl1603]

I know it looks horrible and comes like a shock to you. However, in only a couple of seasons there will be low green brush and flowers all over that area. And in a few years there will be nice small trees that guaranteed will not be cut down for at least 20-30 years. You could also plant some fast growing tall bushes near your house to cover up the view in that direction. Best / Carl

[@theNamesPhillip]

That’s a great idea and thanks Carl for the positive vibes!

[@98Zai]

I disagree. Kalhygge looks awful for at least a decade. I pass by some regularily that were logged when I was still in school, some 20 years ago that still look like a wasteland.

[@cufnoshigma]

Just curious, do they provide firewood at a reduced rate? The longs that can't be milled for example?

[@danieldaak3082]

The Forrest Will grow back, dont worry

[@manganvbg90]

will you take up hunting? very popular in swedish countryside and you get closer to the rural community

[@northengirl2884]

I am SO sorry to see what they have done 😢😢

[@LILY-os1vo]

Thank you for the video it is really informative and I am amazed by your positivity regarding the situation. ❤ Do you guys also purchase forest land together with the house and if yes, do you might know what is the compulsory requirement for forest owner to maintain their own forest in Sweden. I am curious to know. Thank you 😊

[@theNamesPhillip]

Thank you so much I really appreciate it! We personally didn’t buy forest land with the house, but in my previous video where I give a tour of our land, I talk a little bit about owning your own forest and I’ve left a link in the description for the necessary information. Hope that helps and thanks for your support! 😊

[@arborealscout4252]

"Forestry" is not an industry. "Timber harvesting" is the industry of growing wood fiber for profit.

[@MGE9436]

I would be inconsolable and raging mad. I wonder if the previous owner knew about this, hence the sale.If so, deceit at its finest. You are incredibly calm, something to learn for me ❤

[@theNamesPhillip]

We weren’t very happy at the start, there was a lot to take in because a lot of of the trees have been taken down as it was. I didn’t start the KZbin channel until the first patch of forest had been cut so believe it or not there was more forest 😅 I think these things change pretty quickly within companies so I won’t assume that the previous owners knew, they are lovely people so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt 😁

[@peggycollickordaly8462]

What is going on this May

[@katiepandey5023]

Will you have to go to the office every day?

[@theNamesPhillip]

I’m allowed to be flexible with my work situations, but I would try to get to the office as much as I can, because I feel like it helps to work in the environment. I’m a consultant as well so I could be working On site for another client.

[@katiepandey5023]

@@theNamesPhillip I do ux too and I’m Irish in USA.

[@john3Lee]

On the bright side - Having seen what devastation can be caused by wild fires 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I think they did you a favour..

[@EthanLomas]

They don’t have forest fires in Sweden as the snow is frozen water. Plus, the trees are conifers so they don’t have leaves to manage the ground

[@theNamesPhillip]

That is definitely a glass half full way of thinking, thanks for that!🙌

[@theNamesPhillip]

Unfortunately we aren’t immune to forest fires here in Sweden in the summer seasons. Sweden is the first place I’ve lived with four distinct seasons and that means you get hot and summers which can cause a wildfire season. we have regulations here on grilling outside because of this 🙂

[@EthanLomas]

I’m confused. How do the fires burn if there is snow all year round? @@theNamesPhillip

[@abbygailcoyle]

The snow in Sweden is seasonal. It'll thaw in spring and only reappear in autumn/winter ​@@EthanLomas

[@fortune300]

Harvest time every 80 years. 10-15% of swedens export earnings. Good thing for you, you will have tons of blue berrys the comming years.

[@EthanLomas]

I’m horrified

[@caroles5258]

That's disgusting and upsetting

[@theNamesPhillip]

Is definitely not something that you want to see for sure but I am definitely glad that the forest is going to be replanted and better maintained this time so that positive if it makes you feel better 😊

[@caroles5258]

@@theNamesPhillip Yes, that does make me feel better. Here in BC, Canada they just level it and leave it.

[@fortune300]

@@caroles5258 Sins 1903 it´s illegal to cut down forest without replanting.

[@caroles5258]

@@fortune300 Tell that to all the deforesters here on Vancouver Island.