Owning a Woodland: Day 1 to Day 365 - An amazing experience

Here is a document of my first year owning a woods. From day 1 to day 365 and all of my proudest moments as well as some lessons learned from the experience.

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TIKTOK: @taoutdoorofficial

#bushcraft #camping #survival #woods

[glasgowbhoy]

Got to respect this mans love for the outdoors… “my greatest achievement is creating a living bush” the man has a wife and kids 😂😂 never change bro 😎👏🏻

[JoyBoysLostSoul]

Your passion to protect the woodlands is immaculate everyone should inspire to be like TA outdoors 🎉💯

[robertstallard]

Hi Mike,

I've been through the same journey as you. I'm older than you are (I'm in my 60s) but purchasing a wood was one of the best things I've ever done, and I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments you expressed at the very beginning about preserving a bit of nature, improving it and passing it on to future generations.

Remember that unless you do something really extreme like clear felling, nothing is permanent and mistakes can all be rectified over time, so you've not got to be afraid to get stuck in!

One thing you haven't really addressed yet (apart from one catch 'n cook video) is squirrel management. Yours is an ideal channel to get across to people the threat that greys pose to the health of British woodlands. One only has to look at comments on squirrel control videos that a lot of people (especially the city-living younger generations) haven't the least idea of the threat that they pose. They only see fluffy squirrel-nutkin, and your channel could go a very long way to help change attitudes.

I have only one regret, and that is that I couldn't afford to purchase the wood earlier in my life. You're young enough to make the most of it and see some of the results longer term. I wish you every success.

[viktoriateichman]

Hearing you talk about how you won’t see the trees grown but that you’re doing it for future generations was so heartwarming. “Great men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Excellent work. Beautiful sentiment. Thank you for being a steward of this land and for sharing it with us!

[topshopbuildandfabricate]

I’m from Louisiana in the USA and I never seem to be happy about my properties until I bought a home in the country side and now I wouldn’t want to live any other way but in the country so he is a inspiration for many other people.

[glorfendell]

I've loved all your series of videos, but your woodland series is by far my favorite. Watching you and your dad steward the forest is close to my heart. Thanks Mike for all you bring us.

[Shane_O]

There is a saying that the best time to plant a tree is now and 20 years ago….
I live in a property tress we’re plated 30 years ago and we have a small woodland to look after. Some family and friends have done similar 20 and 10 years ago and they are habitats in there own right, so keep planting, anywhere and everywhere is a great thing to do. And nice to see more of it as I drive through the UK.

[graceygrumble]

I have three 'permissions' and have helped to repay them by clearing ditches/water courses, fencing, and sorting out potholes to the access roads - the mundane aspects of wood management
Those 'permissions ' stemmed from the fact that I wanted to understand how woods worked so that one day I could buy my own wood.
I no longer wish to buy my own wood. I am too old to do that stewardship justice. The ability to buy a wood came too late for me.
You are young, and your ability to buy that wood did not happen by 'luck', but by being personable, intelligent and knowledgeable.
Your wood is in good hands. Well done, sir.

[terriesbrook]

some of us don't get tired or bored with cutting wood or whatever else you are doing
some of us are here to support you in your regular everyday endeavors

[domainofscience]

I've really enjoyed your woodland series, and this was a lovely summary of the year. I'd love to have a bit of woodland like this

[davidguy]

you make me feel proud to be a man. best of luck for the future. can't wait to see future videos. best wishes from Scarborough,

[rugbyfirstenglishsecond]

Excellent video Mike. Glad you are remembering to stop and smell the proverbial roses, not just work.
I bought my woodlands and meadow at the same time as you did, planted 200 trees and have then sat back, watching the land change through the seasons. This way I do not rush in and spoil the land.
Thanks for the inspiration. 🌳

[markdyballuk]

what a lovely thing to make from the fallen ash tree with your dad. everytime you use it you'll remember the ash tree, the making of the hut and the time spent with your dad, happy memories you have made and that's important. lovely film and glad to meet you and your channel

[markjones]

Every once and a while one of your always excellent videos jumps out and 'sticks'. This for me was one of those videos. Your honest and deep felt emotions towards this wonderful wood really comes across. I really enjoyed your attitude and humility as you grow with the woodland around you. Thanks!

[old-moose]

Your adventure has been wonderful to follow. It is so nice to see such love of nature. Thank you for letting us join you.

[stevencarlton]

I love how level the land is. It reminds me of the woods I hunted in southern Alabama growing up.

[jamesellsworth]

THANK YOU for filming and narrating a fine overview of your woodland project. I would encourage you to do more camping this year. I don't believe we need you to build new shelters: just enjoy what you have created and show us how the structures have held up.

[kidman]

Glad to see another tree squirrel doing work. I grew up in Michigan around family that did forestry and tree work so I took it for granted, and to be honest, we don't get a lot of attention other than the "hovering" home owners do while we work.
There's a lot of valuable advice he'll be able to pass along to you, and of course the biggest reason being safety. We don't have to tell you, staying safe while you're alone or out in the woods is #1 before anything, those techniques will do you well sir! And I imagine it'll be a good bit of content.
Enjoy your property brother, I know it has to be like medicine for the soul!

[stepsbeyondtheeventhorizon]

You're an inspiration, Mike. I've made it a goal of mine to purchase a woodland in the Rhodope mountains in Bulgaria and take care of it with knowledge I've gathered from your channel. Thank you so much.

[BartBuzz]

Thanks for this exceptional summary of accomplishments over the past year. Looking at all you and your Dad have achieved, I see nothing that should be regretted. How you repurposed that magnificent fallen tree was truly amazing. The memories you've created are priceless. I wish you and your Dad many more years of working in the woodland and teaching all of us what's involved in managing this wonderful gift of nature. Your passion and stewardship are admirable. I look forward to what lies ahead.