clearing a few acres with an axe?

mldrenen · #1 03/04/09, 06:43 PM

am i an idiot to even consider forgoing a chainsaw in favor of a good axe and a cross cut saw?

i'm probably going to be clearing a couple of acres of forest this summer, with my 6 yo son in tow. i'd rather not suffer through the noise, cost, and smell of hour after hour of running a chainsaw.

has anyone here ever undertaken a large project like this with only simple hand tools? can i really do it?

country_wife · #2 03/04/09, 06:53 PM

I've never felled a tree by hand, but I split all of our wood with an ax and do the rest of the homesteading stuff by hand. Give it a shot! You'll end up in great shape.

Silvercreek Farmer · #3 03/04/09, 06:53 PM

Yes, it can be done, it just takes 10x-100x more time and effort. I used to cut all my wood by hand, then I got a chainsaw and could cut a season's worth of wood in a weekend....

ET1 SS · #4 03/04/09, 06:53 PM

It is possible.

It would be a great deal of labor

Beeman · #5 03/04/09, 07:31 PM

You'll only know by trying. I would get to work soon before the sap flows and the trees leaf out. Do you have any plans for the stumps?

Txsteader · #6 03/04/09, 07:35 PM

If you have a strong back and aren't in a hurry, it can be done. My DH cleared about a 1/4 acre with an axe....when he was 60 yrs. old!

I'd start off easy, though, if you're not used to swinging an axe. You'll be so sore you can barely move if you overdo first thing.

watcher · #7 03/04/09, 08:28 PM

I'd have to place you in my ID-10-T file if you do it.

mldrenen · #8 03/04/09, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

I'd have to place you in my ID-10-T file if you do it.

different strokes for different folks and all. no need to be rude.

Bearfootfarm · #9 03/04/09, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldrenen

different strokes for different folks and all. no need to be rude.

He simply answered your question using the same term YOU used in the OP. I dont see how you could call that "rude"

Quote:

am i an idiot to even consider forgoing a chainsaw in favor of a good axe and a cross cut saw?

mldrenen · #10 03/04/09, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

He simply answered your question using the same term YOU used in the OP. I dont see how you could call that "rude"

geesh. i guess i am an idiot. i think it's time for me back away from the computer and head to bed.

VOR. · #11 03/04/09, 10:02 PM

People were clearing woods well before chainsaws were invented. So, yes, it can be done. However, if you value your time, you'll buy a chainsaw.

Tom in TN · #12 03/04/09, 11:53 PM

mldrenen,

I've felled many trees over the years with an axe. It's very hard, very slow work.

But whether done with an axe or a chainsaw, it would be my opinion that a 6 year old boy has NO PLACE in the woods when trees are being felled. It is extremely dangerous for the most experienced woodsman. I personally knew an experienced logger that was killed when a tree bucked back on a stump and landed on him. I've known many loggers who have been injured by large limbs being knocked off falling trees and landing on the logger. Cuts and bruises are par for the course in a woods.

I still drop trees on my farm, but I never feel comfortable doing it - it's just very dangerous.

At least that's my opinion.

Tom in TN

kjmatson · #13 03/05/09, 06:33 AM

I agree Tom. I drop quite a few trees in a year and would not have my son out there with me while that is going on.

watcher · #14 03/05/09, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldrenen

different strokes for different folks and all. no need to be rude.

He asked; am i an idiot to even consider forgoing a chainsaw in favor of a good axe and a cross cut saw?

I told him my answer.

IMO, the amount of time spent clearing land with a saw and ax vs the amount of time spent with a chainsaw is time which could be put to better use. Such as preparing the cleared land for a home or a garden.

I'm old and have medical problems so I have to move slow but with a chainsaw I can fell and cut up a good sized tree in probably less than half an hour (I've never timed it). I doubt anyone could do the same with an ax and saw.

**Cabin Fever** · #15 03/05/09, 07:28 AM

In the late 1800s, when my great grandfather and his son, my grandfather, homesteaded in North Central Minnesota, they cleared nearly one hundred acres using a team of oxen and hand implements. My grandfather would climb the trees carrying a chain. He attached the chain as high up in the crown of the tree. Then, the oxen simply pulled the tree down.

This method of land clearing left no stumps to deal with!

mldrenen · #16 03/05/09, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjmatson

I agree Tom. I drop quite a few trees in a year and would not have my son out there with me while that is going on.

i agree completely, and should've been more specific about my plans. my son will not be around for the felling of the trees, only the subsequent clean up. i'm nervous enough about killing myself out there, i wouldn't even dream of dragging my boy a long with me.

Witterbound · #17 03/05/09, 07:30 AM

How many trees do you have? Say you've got 60 good sized trees to cut down, saw up, and move. With a decent sized chain saw, it will take you about a hour to cut down and cut up a decent sized tree. Then, if you've got to move the wood somewhere, it's going to take "one and half men" the rest of the day, unless you have some mechanical help like a tractor with front end loader. That mean you'll have 2 months work for 60 trees, with only a hour each day running the noisy smelly chainsaw.

If you try to do it with an ax and crosscut saw, I'd bet you're going to at least triple your time to 6 months. Ditto the remark about the safety of your 6yo son in the woods when all of this is going on. It's not a safe place for him to be.

mldrenen · #18 03/05/09, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

He asked; am i an idiot to even consider forgoing a chainsaw in favor of a good axe and a cross cut saw?

I told him my answer.

IMO, the amount of time spent clearing land with a saw and ax vs the amount of time spent with a chainsaw is time which could be put to better use. Such as preparing the cleared land for a home or a garden.

I'm old and have medical problems so I have to move slow but with a chainsaw I can fell and cut up a good sized tree in probably less than half an hour (I've never timed it). I doubt anyone could do the same with an ax and saw.

you did indeed give me an honest answer, and i'm sorry for my response. that may be the first time i've ever been offended by my own comment.

i agree that a chainsaw would probably be a huge time saver, and that my time may be put to better use elsewhere. i may just have suck it up and deal with the exhaust (triggers allergies for me).

i appreciate your perspective.

mldrenen · #19 03/05/09, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

In the late 1800s, when my great grandfather and his son, my grandfather, homesteaded in North Central Minnesota, they cleared nearly one hundred acres using a team of oxen and hand implements. My grandfather would climb the trees carrying a chain. He attached the chain as high up in the crown of the tree. Then, the oxen simply pulled the tree down.

This method of land clearing left no stumps to deal with!

great idea! maybe i can find someone locally with a team of oxen that they wouldn't miss for a week or two. sure would save some time and effort.

mldrenen · #20 03/05/09, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witterbound

That mean you'll have 2 months work for 60 trees, with only a hour each day running the noisy smelly chainsaw.

If you try to do it with an ax and crosscut saw, I'd bet you're going to at least triple your time to 6 months.

great points. thanks.