Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
We've been at this homesteading game for eight years, come yesterday, and let me tell you, the work never seems to end. We took advantage of a sharp, cold snap to tackle some troublesome trees, those pesky boxelders and invasive Bradford pears, cluttering up the place and choking out the good growth. It's a matter of stewardship, you see, making the land healthy and functional. We've wrestled with walnut trees casting their shade and poison ivy clinging to everything, but we're chipping away, little by little. There’s a satisfaction in seeing the cleared spaces, the white pines thriving, and the land drying out as it should. We've learned to appreciate the tools that save our backs, like that grapple on the tractor, but we haven't forgotten the value of good, honest hand work. It’s a slow, steady process, this homesteading, a constant tending and improving, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Catawba Attachments Grapple Line-up: cattachments.com/catawba-grapple-comparison
Milwaukee 8" Chainsaw (18v): amzn.to/3FhNKIt (tool only)
Favorite Chain 8": amzn.to/4hj5qRj
Milwaukee 6" Chainsaw (12v): amzn.to/3DgDXly (kit)
Favorite Chain 6": amzn.to/3FvssqM
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👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
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Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
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✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
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Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
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00:00 Introduction
01:11 Getting Started in the Cold
02:45 Last Cold Days Before Spring
03:22 Cutting Down Boxelder Trees
05:35 Blueberry Struggles and Walnut Tree Removal
07:40 Taking a Lunch Break
09:18 Eight Years on the Homestead
10:42 Managing the Land for Healthy Growth
13:16 Egg Prices and Bird Flu Concerns
14:16 Grapple Attachment and Equipment Upgrades
15:29 Slow and Steady Homesteading Approach
18:00 Removing Invasive Bradford Pear Trees
22:46 Clearing Todd's Woods for Better Drainage
24:46 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
26:00 Big Blueberry Plant Score
27:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
We've been at this homesteading game for eight years, come yesterday, and let me tell you, the work never seems to end. We took advantage of a sharp, cold snap to tackle some troublesome trees, those pesky boxelders and invasive Bradford pears, cluttering up the place and choking out the good growth. It's a matter of stewardship, you see, making the land healthy and functional. We've wrestled with walnut trees casting their shade and poison ivy clinging to everything, but we're chipping away, little by little. There’s a satisfaction in seeing the cleared spaces, the white pines thriving, and the land drying out as it should. We've learned to appreciate the tools that save our backs, like that grapple on the tractor, but we haven't forgotten the value of good, honest hand work. It’s a slow, steady process, this homesteading, a constant tending and improving, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Catawba Attachments Grapple Line-up: cattachments.com/catawba-grapple-comparison
Milwaukee 8" Chainsaw (18v): amzn.to/3FhNKIt (tool only)
Favorite Chain 8": amzn.to/4hj5qRj
Milwaukee 6" Chainsaw (12v): amzn.to/3DgDXly (kit)
Favorite Chain 6": amzn.to/3FvssqM
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Introduction
01:11 Getting Started in the Cold
02:45 Last Cold Days Before Spring
03:22 Cutting Down Boxelder Trees
05:35 Blueberry Struggles and Walnut Tree Removal
07:40 Taking a Lunch Break
09:18 Eight Years on the Homestead
10:42 Managing the Land for Healthy Growth
13:16 Egg Prices and Bird Flu Concerns
14:16 Grapple Attachment and Equipment Upgrades
15:29 Slow and Steady Homesteading Approach
18:00 Removing Invasive Bradford Pear Trees
22:46 Clearing Todd's Woods for Better Drainage
24:46 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
26:00 Big Blueberry Plant Score
27:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
