The View from the Clouds
The View from the Clouds
  • 37
  • 214 921
Hazel helps us destroy our dodgy deer fence!
Now that we have a new deer fence, it’s time to take down the deer fence that we cobbled together from a bunch of scraps of sheep netting and a crazy amount of polytwine. We built it to protect our new coppice three years ago and it served us well. But, now its time has come to be recycled!
We try to live as gently on the Earth as we can here on our English smallholding with a little help from Hazel, the pup.
Переглядів: 540

Відео

Don't fall for these common myths - find out the right way!
Переглядів 8535 місяців тому
Don't fall for these 7 firewood myths! Anyone who burns firewood will need to be sure that their firewood is properly dry. In this video, we debunk common misconceptions about firewood drying and burning. Stay informed and keep your home warm safely with properly dry firewood. Here on our English smallholding we are trying to be as gentle on the Earth as we can. These are our adventures includi...
Shelterbelt Secrets: How to protect your trees!
Переглядів 1,6 тис.6 місяців тому
We will show you how to plant the most effective hedge, windbreak or shelterbelt to protect your land and trees. Our big old trees keep getting blown down by storms and we want to save our remaining trees. We are going to increase the amount of trees we have in our shelterbelt in an effort to do just that. I made a mistake in this video - yew and juniper are also native conifers - sorry about t...
Use peanut butter on badger gates to stop badgers destroying your fence!
Переглядів 8007 місяців тому
We have been invaded by some hungry herbivores and they are destroying our beloved trees! Time to retrain the badgers to keep the hares out of our new woodland! We are trying to live a self-sufficient life in harmony with nature with our wonderful pup, Hazel, who loves peanut butter! I hope you enjoy watching our efforts!
Grow 8X more potatoes with this no dig Christmas potato technique!
Переглядів 5679 місяців тому
No dig potatoes are the best and only way you should grow potatoes! We got 6 times more potatoes than we planted for Christmas potatoes, which is really amazing. Don't miss out on this festive potato adventure - make sure to subscribe for more self-sufficiency tips and techniques! Our Christmas potato planting video: ua-cam.com/video/wxfHjIzaTtQ/v-deo.html And a sneak peak at the growing potato...
Ice bubbles and next-level dog sledding!
Переглядів 34410 місяців тому
Our dog loves to sled down hills. it is much better than pulling a sled. Also, making ice bubbles is really amazing! It needs to be at least -6C or about 21F. It happens within a few seconds and it is really amazing to watch. All you need is some bubbles! Also, this is our take on dog sledding (sledging in England). I am not sure that Hazel would be very good a pulling a sled, but she really se...
The best thing you can do with willow sticks!
Переглядів 9 тис.10 місяців тому
Willow is really simple to turn into an amazing array of different and beautiful creations. I will show you a really easy way to make a really pretty bird feeder that will look great in your garden or as a gift for a loved one! We are trying to be as gentle on the Earth as we can here on our smallholding, with a little help from Hazel, our big white pup!
Willow vs alder coppice for free firewood forever!
Переглядів 9 тис.10 місяців тому
Willow has been our favourite tree for firewood, but we might have found something even better! We coppice trees for firewood and both of these trees will do it. We are going to compare these two trees to see which one comes out on top for endless free firewood. Alder vs. Willow for firewood. Does alder wood burn better than willow firewood? Alder is an amazing and mystical tree with some reall...
Polytunnels are magic!
Переглядів 1,8 тис.10 місяців тому
The summer growing season is drawing to a close, but there is still plenty to do in the polytunnel, or hoop house, as winter approaches. At this time of the year, we need to clear up the old plants and turn them into fantastic compost. This will make space to make way for the new plants. There are plenty of plants that will survive over the winter, and we need to pamper our Christmas potatoes. ...
Hard cider is really easy to make and tastes amazing.
Переглядів 1,3 тис.11 місяців тому
Making cider, or hard cider as it is called in America, is really simple and requires very little equipment. You can use store bought apples or your own homegrown apples. All you need is a press, a scratter, and a demijohn or carboy. And some apples of course! This will make a drink you will be proud of after a long day working outside. We are trying to be as self-sufficient and off grid as pos...
Simple way to germinate horse chestnut conkers to grow more trees!
Переглядів 1,4 тис.11 місяців тому
We have a wonderful old horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) that makes loads of seeds called ‘conkers’. We want to grow these conkers so that we can have lots more horse chestnut trees. This year we are cold stratifying the conkers in an unheated outbuilding to protect them from frost. The cold during the winter will encourage them to sprout in the spring. They will also need protectio...
Willow is probably the best firewood in the world...!
Переглядів 20 тис.11 місяців тому
So, what is the best firewood to grow? That’s a very good question and the answer is actually another question. But, that question does have an answer although your answer might be different to ours! Many people have asked us why we are growing a willow coppice for firewood, instead of oak or pine. Coppicing willow will provide us with a limitless amount of firewood and benefit wildlife at the ...
Coppice willow for free firewood forever! It’s crazy simple!
Переглядів 106 тис.Рік тому
It is super simple to grow and tend a willow coppice for firewood to keep you warm all winter long. All you have to do is stick a branch in the ground and it will grow like a weed, particularly if your site is wet like ours. Coppicing then creates an endless amount of firewood with almost no effort from you. All you have to do is wait a few years, then coppice it again and enjoy your evening sn...
How to build a fantastic smoke free fire pit from an old washing machine for free!
Переглядів 10 тис.Рік тому
How to build a fantastic smoke free fire pit from an old washing machine for free!
Tow anything with a lawn mower! A simple way to fit a car tow ball to a lawnmower.
Переглядів 2,2 тис.Рік тому
Tow anything with a lawn mower! A simple way to fit a car tow ball to a lawnmower.
Easy way to grow the best potato crop! Fresh potatoes from the ground for Christmas dinner!
Переглядів 337Рік тому
Easy way to grow the best potato crop! Fresh potatoes from the ground for Christmas dinner!
Is it possible to make green tomatoes turn RED?
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
Is it possible to make green tomatoes turn RED?
Can you make an old hedge even longer and still look good?
Переглядів 565Рік тому
Can you make an old hedge even longer and still look good?
Simple method using string to propagate strawberries in hanging baskets for an infinite supply!
Переглядів 384Рік тому
Simple method using string to propagate strawberries in hanging baskets for an infinite supply!
Hay meadow restoration for more wildflowers and greater biodiversity with a secret helper!
Переглядів 355Рік тому
Hay meadow restoration for more wildflowers and greater biodiversity with a secret helper!
The fantastic puss moth caterpillar looks like something from a rainforest!
Переглядів 360Рік тому
The fantastic puss moth caterpillar looks like something from a rainforest!
Laurel propagation - the best method revealed!
Переглядів 11 тис.Рік тому
Laurel propagation - the best method revealed!
Simple tips for how to prune an apple tree
Переглядів 384Рік тому
Simple tips for how to prune an apple tree
Planting Britain's rarest native tree on our homestead!
Переглядів 1,2 тис.Рік тому
Planting Britain's rarest native tree on our homestead!
The secrets of propagating trees from root cuttings - super easy!
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
The secrets of propagating trees from root cuttings - super easy!
Tree tubes - a blessing or a curse?
Переглядів 1,3 тис.Рік тому
Tree tubes - a blessing or a curse?
Slit planting - the easiest and quickest way to plant young trees that no one talks about!
Переглядів 1,9 тис.Рік тому
Slit planting - the easiest and quickest way to plant young trees that no one talks about!
Animal tracks in the snow - who made them?
Переглядів 179Рік тому
Animal tracks in the snow - who made them?
How do we protect our trees from hare and rabbits?
Переглядів 360Рік тому
How do we protect our trees from hare and rabbits?
Is it really possible to grow firewood in just a few years?
Переглядів 17 тис.Рік тому
Is it really possible to grow firewood in just a few years?

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @johnathandougherty
    @johnathandougherty 9 годин тому

    When coppicing a tree, do you have to coppice with a similar tree? For example, I have ornamental crabapple tree. I would like to put a hickory start into the stump.

  • @gerhardbotha7336
    @gerhardbotha7336 6 днів тому

    Good points. I am in a semi arid sub-sahara savanna area. I grow sweet thorn trees for firewood. They are legumes and pioneers. I cut 10 of them every year and they are size by 5 years or so. I can not run out of trees because I plant again and there is enough space to allow them to grow to 10 years before I need them

  • @1990paulieboy
    @1990paulieboy 7 днів тому

    I just scatter them around my garden after I cut the grass then next time I cut the grass I check if they’ve spouted next time I cut the grass if not I put them back until they’ve spouted and now I have some in a couple of pots 😊

  • @bernadette6211
    @bernadette6211 9 днів тому

    Thank you for lovely demonstration, your dog has a beautiful presence

  • @stevestanley5183
    @stevestanley5183 10 днів тому

    poor dog he gets no attention

  • @lonefoxbushcraft
    @lonefoxbushcraft 10 днів тому

    Do not chop oak trees or scots pine! Down!!

  • @Carvalh-s1i
    @Carvalh-s1i 12 днів тому

    Que tipo de planta é essa??

  • @rainerekseth3688
    @rainerekseth3688 16 днів тому

    Deer rub their antlers against willows preferably, because the active substance salicin reduces itch.

  • @SlowLivingSligo
    @SlowLivingSligo 17 днів тому

    I love feeding the birds and I’m definitely going to try making one of these. Thank you ❤

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 17 днів тому

      Glad you like it. We put several up for the birds and they really work well!

  • @SlowLivingSligo
    @SlowLivingSligo 17 днів тому

    Really informative. Many thanks.

  • @robertanderson-yx8mo
    @robertanderson-yx8mo 20 днів тому

    Hybrid popular will thrive in your environment and after 5 years you will have a tree with a trunk the width of a spade

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 18 днів тому

      Yes, I think you are right. Finding the right variety of poplar is the challenge though.. We have planted 6 or 7 different varieties and hybrids, but none of them thrived. I have a few more to try, so hopefully we will have some success soon!

  • @ethanallenhawley1052
    @ethanallenhawley1052 25 днів тому

    I remember an old youtube video which talked about coping stands of ash-hazel also being great for firewood and getting long shoots for poles and fences.

  • @matthewcain2880
    @matthewcain2880 25 днів тому

    No, no it’s not 👍🏽

  • @jannforde9553
    @jannforde9553 27 днів тому

    Lovely theyre very pretty. How long willow do we need for a square that size?

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 25 днів тому

      Thank you for that. They were about 5 feet long I believe. Happy weaving!

    • @jannforde9553
      @jannforde9553 19 днів тому

      Hi mine were about 5 foot but I only made it to half way to the middle before running out of willow...aaargh. Just pondering if I could add in more rods to finish it !! I used a 6 inch square.

  • @d1m4d
    @d1m4d Місяць тому

    Very informative thank you and lovely assistant 🐕

  • @VictorMaxol
    @VictorMaxol Місяць тому

    2:55 If I tried that my dog (Corgi) would snarl as no clippers are allowed within four feet of his paws, by royal decree he says.

  • @melonbobful6940
    @melonbobful6940 Місяць тому

    Is Paulownia any good as firewood? It might not like your winds perhaps. It's interesting that different tree species, having stored a greatly varying number of growing seasons worth of sunlight, give such similar amounts of energy back when burnt.

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds Місяць тому

      I agree, it is surprising. I had not expected the similarity in heat by weight. Just shows the value of scientific smallholding! We tried Paulownia, but it does not like our climate. Pity, because it is a really interesting looking tree.

  • @SC-rb2jr
    @SC-rb2jr Місяць тому

    I really like how you give the research that shows the heat output per dry tonne. This overrides all the beliefs of many people based on no real evidence and should stop many debates.

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds Місяць тому

      Thanks for that. I really do like proper information to work with. I like to call it 'scientific smallholding'!

  • @SC-rb2jr
    @SC-rb2jr Місяць тому

    A really informative video. Thank you.

  • @BPR316
    @BPR316 2 місяці тому

    Cheers

  • @DariLio-wd9rl
    @DariLio-wd9rl 2 місяці тому

    Thiago Concept is very old. I dont now in englisch But in german ist is called „Niederwald“ u can use all Trees that grow back from the root. I use mulbeery, castanea and robinia because it is to dry for willows where i life .

  • @raycecil4643
    @raycecil4643 2 місяці тому

    On my 30 acres I have a lot of Silver Maples. I coppiced about 20 of them last fall. Each tree was about 6" to 14" in Diameter. Each trunk now has a minimum of 12 shoots and they are all more than 1" in diameter already. Not even 1 year old shoots! I have enough oak for main firewood use, and some pine, but these coppice shoots will be harvested for fire starter wood. Silver maple when dry, and split, catches fire very fast.

  • @raycecil4643
    @raycecil4643 2 місяці тому

    Nice video. Im in Kentucky, and the "large trees" you mentioned that you wouldn't cut down would be considered small here!! I just had a 5' diameter red oak fall across my driveway last winter!!!

  • @manxman5825
    @manxman5825 2 місяці тому

    I've just found one of these eating one of my rare/endangered native black poplar saplings. I'm trying to transfer it to a willow

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 2 місяці тому

      I wish we had done that! The caterpillars stripped the tree and it still looks unwell this summer. Cool looking things, but they need a bigger tree.

    • @manxman5825
      @manxman5825 2 місяці тому

      @@theviewfromtheclouds I managed to contain it and drove it up the road to an established willow. Good job I noticed it or it would have soon munched it's way through my little conservation project. I've never seen one of these catapillars before but I've never had poplar saplings in the garden before. Thanks for the informative video.

  • @barnabyagilityandotherthin4568
    @barnabyagilityandotherthin4568 2 місяці тому

    Your dog is so sweet. 😊 I know it's not spring but I'm going to give this ago.

  • @JH-lo9ut
    @JH-lo9ut 2 місяці тому

    Here in scandinavia, birch has always been considered the best firewood. It grows fast, it splits nicely, it dries fast and burns hot and clean. Depending on how you are burning your firewood, that last part can be very important. Pine and spruce are common throughout the whole region, but the evergreens has such a high content of resin, they create much more soot and residue in the stove or furnace, as well as in chimneys. Burning a lot of pine means you have a higher risk of chimney-fires, so you need to sweep your chimneys more frequently. If you have a modern glassed-in fireplace, that soot is going to clog it up instantly. If you are stoking your fire manually, the density of the wood determines how fast the fire burns out. Light woods like aspen or poplar will burn out very quickly, -releasing it's energy almost all at once, while heavy woods like oak will take more to ignite, and burns slowly. But I assume that you have a more mechanized system for stoking your fire if you rely on it for all-year heating. In that case it might not be an issue at all.

  • @JH-lo9ut
    @JH-lo9ut 2 місяці тому

    Dog: You talking to me? Well I guess he must be talking to me, because there is nobody else here.

  • @I.c.k.c
    @I.c.k.c 2 місяці тому

    Do you have an update on these? Thanks

  • @kevinmalone9673
    @kevinmalone9673 2 місяці тому

    Bravo cool idea .

  • @carpenterfamily6198
    @carpenterfamily6198 2 місяці тому

    Would rooting compound help ?

  • @carpenterfamily6198
    @carpenterfamily6198 2 місяці тому

    Is this the way to propagate Sassafras trees ?

  • @Filkersons
    @Filkersons 2 місяці тому

    One other important factor is how quickly the wood burns as well as heat produced

  • @FunnelOfSteam
    @FunnelOfSteam 3 місяці тому

    Very cool dog ;-) Thanks for sharing the knowledge about aspen trees.

  • @OfftoShambala
    @OfftoShambala 3 місяці тому

    Mesquite can be chopped to the ground and turns into a huge tree in two to three years. I had it growing in my Phoenix az garden. Planning to try it in the high desert.

  • @Poopdudeification
    @Poopdudeification 3 місяці тому

    Great video. Was hoping you'd talk a bit more about that aspen, as well. I'm here in the PNW. We have a good bit of water, but also get hot summers and long days. We've got willow and aspen growing. They both seem to enjoy the somewhat more wet and clay soil our property has. No alder, though. Probably would do well too. If aspen grows in your area, grows as fast as it does, and also sends out as much new growth from root shoots as it does, why isn't it in your top picks?

  • @MagicMarvin33
    @MagicMarvin33 4 місяці тому

    You live in an exposed area, how is the tunnel up there? Or did you manage to shelter it? I would like to get one but the only place I can put it would take the full force of the wind.

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 4 місяці тому

      Hi, we have a 2 meter high hedge on three sides that really helps. However, the tunnels are meant to be quite robust. We have had some serious winds and have had no damage apart from the strawberry baskets landing on the floor!

    • @MagicMarvin33
      @MagicMarvin33 4 місяці тому

      @@theviewfromtheclouds thanks for the reply I'm hoping I can maybe angle it in to the wind so it rolls off.

  • @MagicMarvin33
    @MagicMarvin33 4 місяці тому

    Very good vid and lots of information without being overwhelmed much or boring. Thanks :)

  • @AmandaRussell-g3c
    @AmandaRussell-g3c 4 місяці тому

    I just cut a whole branch off which was around a foot long and rammed it into the ground about 6 inches approx two years ago. Now its 3 foot tall and doing well. Lots of new branches and healthy foliage

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 4 місяці тому

      Hi, I am glad you had success with that method. I only had very limited success doing it that way. Nicely done!

  • @falfield
    @falfield 4 місяці тому

    I can't tell you how lovely it is to have a fluent, articulate and intelligent commentary - Bravo! Is the soil underneath clay or peaty? If the former, then Black Poplar would likely do well and maybe you might have room for a couple as keepers. Being large, they are great for making a flat landscape more interesting. But the real attraction is that they are now Britain's rarest native timber tree - maybe only 8000 left - and are marvellous for habitat. And wagon wheels!

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 4 місяці тому

      Hi, that's very nice of you to say! Our soil is mostly clay and very wet. We bought 3 female black poplars from the breeding program at Chester Zoo and they are doing well. Now we just need to get a male one so that they will reproduce.

  • @paulsmart4672
    @paulsmart4672 4 місяці тому

    Terrific dog.

  • @Debbie-henri
    @Debbie-henri 4 місяці тому

    I think we should always invest in a variety of wood sources for firewood. Seems to me that every few years another pest, disease or fungus gets imported into different parts of the world. Look at the devastation caused to Ash trees, and that happened so fast. Had Ash been a primary source of your firewood, it would have been devastating. I grow Hazel, Alder, Willows are coming up, some 'disposable' pines to be rotated, and Birch.

  • @machetepanda966
    @machetepanda966 4 місяці тому

    Damn! Takes two seasons to dry wood in England!

  • @rogercook4224
    @rogercook4224 4 місяці тому

    Good information! I have lots of aspens around my leach field go figure. But I want to get them into another area on my property and wondered how. Great video thanks!

  • @dylanatkinson1426
    @dylanatkinson1426 4 місяці тому

    Hey there. Great video. Just curious if you’ve ever done the same with UNGRAFTED ornamental cherries/plums?

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 4 місяці тому

      Hi, thanks! Sadly I have not tried root propagation with any fruit trees at all.

  • @stuartrobertson8932
    @stuartrobertson8932 4 місяці тому

    That’s a good hint. I’m going to try it on 3 acorns per hole, maybe 9 per square foot. I might just hand cast though because it’s still back breaking work.

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 4 місяці тому

      It is hard work. Might be useful to get the acorns in the ground at least a little if you can. Otherwise the wildlife might eat them. Good luck with the growing!

  • @TrentHendyTravels
    @TrentHendyTravels 4 місяці тому

    Epic! thanks for sharing

  • @wdwdHenry9022
    @wdwdHenry9022 5 місяців тому

    Make a mulch of waste to maintain healthy soil

  • @russtaylor4242
    @russtaylor4242 5 місяців тому

    Great video, thank you. I want to coppice to produce chippings for pathways. Our field is a bit boggy, normal Somerset clay, but in the summer it will dry out. Would you recommend willow or alder please?

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 5 місяців тому

      I would go with alder. Willow chips might root and start to grow, which would not be great on a path.

  • @default9740
    @default9740 5 місяців тому

    So… this Kiwi agrees with you. And great info on the calorific value of wood by weight. We live in Central Otago, New Zealand. Have always cut our own firewood, was pine, now willow. It’s a pest/ nuisance species here. Every riverbed is full of it. We cut it green, split it straight away: it’s really easy to cut and split when green. It dries super fast in our climate. I’m burning some now that I cut green in late December: it’s too dry, under 10%. I usually cut it from February onwards, start burning mid April. We get through about 10 cubic meters a winter. It has a bad reputation as firewood here, but that’s perhaps because folk season it too long, or only cut dry dead willow as a last minute option.

  • @JenniToivoniemi
    @JenniToivoniemi 5 місяців тому

    Our winters are very hard - should I keep the cuttings inside over winter?

    • @theviewfromtheclouds
      @theviewfromtheclouds 5 місяців тому

      They should be ok outside as they are hardy. Where do you live?

    • @JenniToivoniemi
      @JenniToivoniemi 5 місяців тому

      @@theviewfromtheclouds I live in Southern Finland and the winters can be really cold here. I have managed to keep some cuttings alive outside, but even willows look bad after this winter.