A day on the Homestead | How to Fell a Tree

Had a few dead fir trees in the woodlot so I decided to make a little video showing how to fell a tree in the direction you want, safely. I'll talk about making a face cut, back cut, and the importance of leaving a hinge to guide the tree safely to the ground. After felling a big fir tree we drag it out of the forest and saw some lumber on my little Woodland Mills bandsaw mill. The rest is cut into rounds and split for firewood. I couldn't help but get a little philosophical along the way.

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[clayhayeshunter]

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

[frankbarbagallo]

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

[Mrman]

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.

[withoutfurtheradoforever]

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

[jkq]

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.

[Johggd]

A nice change of direction from survival to managing land

[JohnDrummondVA]

I enjoyed watching this on a quiet saturday morning.

[jillturnbull]

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.

[conorcullen]

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

[jeffmatthews]

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.

[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!

[desireebosch]

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.😊

[Badfish]

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.

[petermurdoch]

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

[robertfmccarthy]

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.

[thylacine]

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!

[Gunnu]

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

[davidhunter]

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

[violastar]

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.

[williamroberts]

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!