Giveaway! -What can I do with all this?

I took Code out today for our usual walk, but got a wild hare to change our route a little. Code is a -shall we say- enthusiastic dog, who does not walk well off lead. I usually don't take a camera when he's with me because I have to tie him off to a tree to use it. That's why there are no pictures now.

We explored some of the east-facing ridgeline on the compound. The access is very steep and I have not been able to tackle it since before my surgeries. I was pleased to find a good number of oak and hickory hiking stick candidates that were an appropriate size and straightness. We also found a clearer, more direct route to the rock face where I want to set up a campsite and build a shelter.

Along the way, I found at least two decent-sized fatwood stumps and some dead oak up off the ground that may yield some nice spalted wood.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good day. It's raining right now, but if it clears I plan on going back out in the afternoon with the camera, without the dog, and with a big ol' chopper. :D:thumbup::cool:
 
MacHete said:
Hmm. Are my criteria really that narrow? I thought most of the trees I listed were ubiquitous enough that most folks here would have some experience with at least a few of them. :confused: And, my project ideas were just kind of a "get the ball rolling" thing.
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I honestly do not know if any of those trees are around here. I am not much of a plant guy (my degree was focused on insects) but the only ones you mentioned that may be (to my knowledge) are pine (don't think it is white) and poplar (I am not sure what tulip is though). I know we don't get oak, or hickory....

I do have another idea for you- make an atlatl and a couple of bird killing spears- and see if you can hit anything. This does not need specific wood to practice with and is harder IMO than it looks. You can also play with different shapes of hook:spear attachments to see what works best for you- maybe make a double purpose atlatl/ soup ladle combo for extra utility, practice some carving embellishments and start a fire with the chips and scrapings- holding the ember that you made with your bow drill in the scoop of the ladle/atlatl to not loose it and transfer into the fire pit dug up with the digging stick end of the atlatl. Hope these get the ball rolling some more (4 uses for just one spear thrower- ember holder, digging stick, ladle and atlatl- now that I said it I'll have to try it out this spring myself:D)
 
Cuts>>
You'll know a Tulip Poplar once you see the leaves. They're shaped like the silhouette of a Tulip flower and about the size of a Sycamore leaf.
 
KEmSAT-Survival said:
Cuts>>
You'll know a Tulip Poplar once you see the leaves. They're shaped like the silhouette of a Tulip flower and about the size of a Sycamore leaf.
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Thanks, yes. Also known as yellow poplar or american tuliptree. They aren't really a poplar at all: liriodendron tulipifera. I'll try to find a pic. The family property is thick with them, including one of the biggest I've ever seen.
 

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Enter now! Beat the rush! Fabulous prizes! You may already be a winner!

Seriously, Dudes. Post something. I need validation. My already flagging self-esteem is nearing it's nadir. Show a bushy brother some support. What would you do if you were where I am? :D
 
The contest closes to entries when I get home from work Wednesday morning. (around 5 AMish EDT) Yeah- I know that's the 8th not the 7th, but that's the earliest I would be able to announce a winner, so if anyone wants to sneak in a last-minute entry, they can. ;)

Thanks for your entries, guys! :thumbup:

Good luck! :cool:
 
Here is my feedback. Hope it helps!

Oak – White Oak acorns are edible; you will want to shell, winnow (remove paper sheath), dice, boil (put acorns in boiling water, do not put in water then boil or they will remain bitter), repeat boiling with fresh water until they taste good ~ this past fall when I did this it was five exchanges of water, most books say a minimum of three. Also, the used water from boiling will be full of tannic acid, which is a great astringent and antiseptic should you need it. All acorns are full of tannins, if you eat many raw, you will get a belly ache. And even though the white oak acorn drops in the fall, I found many viable chestnut acorns in past Feb., one was even sprouting which could have been picked off and still used.

Hickory – excellent firewood, has the best coaling qualitites with very little sparks. I have used the inner bark as a tinder on occasion. The young green bark is strong enough for quickie cordage to do the bow drill, but this kills the branch or young tree as you skin the whole branch or stem. Some folks think the leaves have insect repellent qualitites.

Beech – the only leaves I will use for fire in wet weather as they stay on the tree and are papery. This is a last resort kinda a thing for me ~ I don't like using leaves in fire with the exception of pine needles.

Sycamore – excellent bow drill wood. Supposedly, you can tap the stem for drinkable water, but I have never tried this (just one of those things that stuck in my mind.

Tulip Tree – changed the name to Tulip Tree because it is not a true poplar. I am very guilty of calling it yellow poplar and trying to reform as I teach my kids. It makes a good feather stick. The inner bark is a favorite of mine for tinder and cordage. I usually go for the dead branches on the ground (or tree) regarding your question of what time of year ~ so it doesn’t matter (I guess). It does help to soak to whole branch (tree) to peel it off for cordage, but it is not necessary. Here is a video I made a while back (note what I call it; oh the shame!)…


Box Elder – good bow drill wood. Supposedly it's survival shoots can be used as a spindle for the hand drill, but I haven’t tried it yet.

Dogwood – inner bark has cornic acid which is good for migraines if used in a tea. Must steep for long time ~ 20 minutes. Also a fever reducer. If winter and no leaves, go to the root for inner bark. Wood makes good mallet too.

Northern White Pine – Where do I start! Excellent bow drill wood. Excellent to get fire going in wet weather as branchlets are pencil lead thin and stay on the tree dead for great kindling. Although knotty, makes good fuzz sticks for wet weather fire too. Needle leaf tea is great, but inner bark tea is medicinal; works as an expectorant for chest cold as well as anticeptic wash. Inner bark is also edible with some proteins and fat. Rootlets are cordage. Awesome tree very easy to identify with whorls and five needles per fasicle.

Sumac (Staghorn) – makes a great lemonade. You can google this, lots of recipes.

Rhododendron – good wildlife cover. Rosebay is a winter browse of deer in your area. Sometimes it is not as important to know what is edible to us as it is to know what is edible to the ‘real food.'

Mountain Laurel – VERY POISONOUS if digested. Don’t burn unless completely dry (I won’t use at all!) Don’t use for your hot dog stick, etc.
 
Hmm. Really the only wood I've ever worked with was eucalyptus, making a cudgel. That said, any heavier wood should work well, and the things are darned fun to play with. Cudgels, that is. Big, heavy sticks, about the height of a man. Old-school, poor-mans weapon.
In fact, it's fun to play with wood and see what kind of weapons you can make. Clubs, cudgels, etc.
Building stuff is also fun. Here's a challenge- build stuff with only natural materials and stuff you find laying around. You could use your own tools if you want, but it'd be more of a challenge if you set out with only a knife and some cordage. Or even no cordage, if you're that hard core.
Build a shelter that you could live in for a week, comfortably, with only a knife and some cordage. That would be interesting.
Oh, and one of the things that my friend said his dad use to do was to roast goats. Whole goats, thrown in a pit. Are there any goats where you live?
 
ok Adirondack chair as earier mentioned. Sling shots, dipping bucket pole set-up, yoke for your oxen, travois for dog (that'll slow him down), travois for you, 12inch wide sled for snow travel (I've got site for plans if you want), various traps, dead-fall (not very efficient trap, really), cache for tree from larger animals--squirrels can get in anywhere, dug-out--if you are really ambitious, pole bridge, water wheel, various projectile weapons as others have mentioned, various lean-to stashes--easily built and repaired, lever lift for heavy objects--not unlike dipping bucket, fencing, stiles for fence line, and...for that great leap forward for the species...a WHEEL !

:) Happy?



Kis
 
I made a walking stick out of a vine wrapped sappling. This thing has been with me and redone for about 7-8 yrs now. I don't remember the wood it is from. I also use cattails when ripe as a type of tourch. Just did the tops in keoseene. Fish hooks can be made from bones of animals found in the woods. These are actually very easy to make and could save your life.
 
First, let me thank you all for some very good ideas that I mean to try out. :thumbup: I love the fact that there is an unending list of tasks to attempt and skills to develop that would never have occured to me. You guys are an awesome resource. :cool:

So without further ado-

CUTS LIKE A KRIS is the winner for his wilderness whistle project. I chose this because I believe it to be a very handy skill that is easy to practise, and because I have realized that I never whittle anymore. :o I do a fair amount of chopping and notching with big blades, but I have been very remiss about finer work. This will be a good way to get me started again. :D

CUTS LIKE A KRIS- send me your mailing address and I will get your goodies out to you.

Thanks again, everyone who participated! :)
 
Wow- I never thought I'd get this with so many other entries. Thank you very much, my info is en route!!

Thanks for thinking outside of the box!

Kris
 
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