Milling Live Oak in the Deep South - Rebuilding Tally Ho EP19

THIS episode, I am in southern Georgia , and I work with Steve Cross of Cross Sawmill to mill and grade lots of Southern Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana) for Tally Ho’s framing stock – one of the most historically important and best-regarded shipbuilding timbers in the world, which is no longer often milled commercially due to its extreme toughness.
Steve mills the timber on his amazing and enormous homemade bandsaw, which is constructed from 5 forklifts, 9 semi trailers, and “god knows what else”, according to Steve.
We also look at Live Oak trees in the area, including one that is claimed to be the largest Live Oak in the world… all the while keeping an eye out for Alligators!

Thanks for watching (and clicking the LIKE button!)

For sneaky previews of what’s going on in between Episodes, follow my

CROSS SAWMILL

MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT!

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Music;
Lobo Loco - Blues Angeline
Lobo Loco - Traveling with Corina
Kevin Macleod - Porch Blues
Heftone Banjo Orchestra - Dill Pickles
Cooper Moore - Banjo Arba Minch Garden

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19. Milling Live Oak in the Deep South - Rebuilding Tally Ho EP19

[AnyoneCanSee]

That guy is one hell of an interesting character. One of the most interesting characters I've ever seen in real life or fiction. Clearly really knows his stuff and happy to be unique. Loved this.

[NavidIsANoob]

This series is becoming more than a boat restoration vlog. You are capturing culture and history here.

[WilliamHunterII]

Steve Cross reading that ditty is a treasure that should be archived.

[DavidJohnson-pnlf]

Rewatching in May 2024. This was 6 years ago? Leo, you are the absolute gold standard when it comes to sticking with a vision and a goal!

[christopherkelly]

There's a deep misunderstanding of the Southern way of life in popular media. Thank you so much for capturing this piece of Southern culture at its most pure. A man of obvious intelligence, ingenuity, and kindness that works the land and takes quiet pride in the little things in life.

I don't live there anymore, but I'll always be a Southerner at heart. I think about Mr. Cross a lot. I'm restoring a 17' wooden sailboat because of this channel, but there is no live oak in any of the yards around here.

I have wonderful memories of going to our little family beach house at Sunset Beach, at the end of Live Oak Drive, with a huge Live Oak out front dripping with Spanish Moss. The best part of my childhood.

[ericcsuf]

Just started watching this series from the beginning. This particular video featuring the Cross Sawmill is one of the most fascinating and well produced ones I've seen so far. Really a fine piece of work, Leo.
Looking forward to the whole series. I watched Acorn to Arabella from day one as it progressed. Steve is a skilled worker, but he was not an experienced boatbuilder. It was interesting to watch him solve many new challenges. But this much more ambitious build by an experienced and skilled professional boatbuilder is proving to be even more interesting to me. I'm in my 80's now and it's a delight to see a young man take on a challenge like this and completely succeed.

[yoyopg]

This episode alone should be an Award Winning documentary. So much good stuff in here.

[gino]

Revisiting on a sentimental journey Leo, time flies man, time flies ... it's 2025 and i am now following you and Tally Ho on your exploits around the globe ... fair sailing Leo!.

[WLDT]

Watching this old episode was amazing knowing where Tally Ho is today. A very young Leo. The best part was hearing Southern USA English being spoken right beside the Queen’s English.

[kevinhornbuckle]

This video is worthy of the attention and support by the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you for including Cross' reading of the poem.

[sonikblox]

I think to this day this is probably my favorite Tally Ho and one of the most entertaining videos on YouTube

[markcutshall]

An iconic early episode for sure. Steve cross is part of Tally Ho as long as she sails.

[peterkacandes]

He’s a national treasure. It warms my heart to know their are crafts/tradesmen like him still around.

[jordoguy]

YouTube gold. Leo, this is your best video in the series!

[byronservies]

Tell you what, I respect that man. Steve Cross knows his shit, and that poem blew me away.

[PumaTwoU]

This is my very favorite Tally Ho Restoration episode. I've watched it several times, the video is terrific work, perfect music choices, and the character of Steve Cross is caught perfectly. Positively brilliant!

[RichardStiennon]

This man is a poetic genius.

See what I’m doin’ here?
This is a fork lift mast,
There’s a fork lift mask,
There’s two fork lifts,
And then back there in the back,
So, there’s parts of five fork lifts,
Nine semi trailers,
Old saw mill parts,
Military Hobart welder,
Parking lot sweepers,
Fertilizer spreader,
And God knows what else.

[joeC]

This is the video that brought me to this channel. I watched this and knew I need to see the few previous ones, and I never missed an upload since then. I cannot believe it has been six years, and today tally ho sits in the water. Congratulations, fair winds and following seas

[ThaJay]

This video is truly legendary. One of the best parts of the internet if you ask me. Amazing to see it again after these years and the start of a new life for Tally Ho.

[luvsracin]

This was the 1st episode of Tally Ho I watched. I have been hooked since.