When I was a kid, one of my favorite books was "my side of the mountain" about a kid who runs away and actually lives inside the bottom of a partially hollowed out tree. I think it was a redwood. I loved it!
I loved that book. I used to read it after school sitting in a huge pine tree in my front yard. I'd grab a couple of apples and climb up there for some quiet and the great scent.
honestly it brings tears to my eyes seeing those old pictures of those massive ancient trees felled. all part of the beautiful lost America none of us will ever get to see.
Oh please. Most of us wouldn't see it anyway. I've never been to that area & probably never will. If they needed to cut down trees in order to sustain human life then so be it.
Absolutely, just like us, they are eventually going to die anyway. May as well make use of the wood because one of these days it's going to rot and turn into topsoil.
Absolutely, the north ga mountains have valleys that are full of dead chestnut trees laying on the ground, and believe it or not, they are still sound and solid enough to saw into lumber after all these years. Some of those wilderness areas are completely untouched due to the rough terrain.@@pgogel8974
One of my great grandmothers was born in a redwood stump house in California in 1845. At 3:00 in this video you can see one of my great grandfather's, first row,far right (holding a pipe). His name was Joseph Foster. He is standing with 49 other men on the stump of the "Mark Twain" redwood tree,which was sectioned and sent back east for exhibition.
OK I read your comment again , this time more carefully . Although the Video is based on Appalachia Your Great Grandparents were both from California but still associated with Stump Houses . Wikipedia has an Article about the Mark Twain Tree and a better quality Photo than the one in this Video . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Tree
JD, I am 65 years old and I never heard of these wonderful stump houses. They are so amazing. I wish I could see one in real life. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@petegregory517 the whole worlds information is right at your fingertips. You can see, hear and learn things you've never imagined. I hope you find something fun.
@@unknown5150variable Yeah, but there's more than you can actually think of. Who in the world is one day sittin' in their underwear on the ez chair and says "dang, think I'll look up something I never heard of.....how bout🤔stump house's? Never heard of such a thing but, what the hey?"😆
@@petegregory517algorithm nether have I if you look at comments in most videos you will see alot are months and years apart for older videos utube trys the video out then takes it off the shelf them tries again that's how it's random for all of us
I stayed in one as a kid. It was on my buddies property when they bought it. We fixed it up as a Fort and camped in it. It was probably 10' wide inside.
We (humans) can be so creative, and capable of marvelous achievements. At the same time capable of such destruction, and ignorance. I pray we come together and smarten up. Thank you for sharing!
What an amazing people from whom we of Appalachian blood descend. “Resilience and innovation” is a perfect summation of the Appalachian culture. With the world getting as it is, my family have had a fair few conversations about moving back to join our family in the mountains. And if we don’t, I know our people will still be there whenever my descendants decide to go back home.
sorry to say the gentree has moved in and it aint quite like it used to be up in the hills i remember seing a documentry on youtube showing the changes in the appalachiain mountains [ the upshot was out of town people wre buying land and turning it into gated comunitys ] not realy what the locals wanted tbh!
You mean boat people. You are all boat people. You all came from elsewhere. There is no glorious origin. Your nativist idea of some sort of local indigenous bloodline is deranged. At best you’re inbreeding.
It makes me so sad to see these ancient trees all felled...but the fact that folk made use of the stumps is fascinating! Thankyou. I never knew this! ❤
Those were times when people were free to put a roof of some kind over their heads, and not be compelled to live under a bridge or in a tent along side a street. I have heard and read about people living in hollow trees or stumps in pioneer days. Thanks, JD, for the great story.
yes people lived sustainably long before our blessed govt came with all its armies of agencies "to help and guide us with expert wisdom." it was teh corporations who profited from the giant tree felling. the Natives werent so stupid to chop them down.
Give me the good old days before planning boards and permits. I'm old and lived in the era we built when we needed and it was no one's business but ours. Loved the pictures. Never saw a postcard with a picture of the stump houses. I'm totally amazed.
It's great you can complain about certain aspects of your government, yet there are other parts of that same government that help you enormously. Canny folk can work out who is stripping the helpful parts away from you.
i know a man who is in his 70's now. who planted 16 trees when he was a young boy with his dad in the middle of a forest [ 30 years later ] he built a tree house within the square of trees he and his dad planted . now he lives in a town house but i did get to see his tree house a few years ago he took me there ! theres no way i would ever find the place on my own , as you can almost walk right past it without seeing it . this thing / house had 3 storys no roof as such just a slanted green tarp streached between the trees no real walls just branches that over the years he inter twined together . he told me he lived there for 35 years with no bathroom no windows no real door . every bit of the house was made from branches the only thing he had was a realy big pot belly stove with a 30 ft steel stack set right in the middle of the trees two sets of ladders made from straight thin tree trunks . honestly my discription of this place is a realy poor attempt to describe something that litraly grew . all he did was wait and year by year got planks ready and trained the branches to his desire / cut off branches in the middle and twisted branches together between trees [ making a living wall as such ] he lived in the middle of this woodland for almost 35 years with no one bothering him . sadly where we live the authoritys will not let you live how you want . and today he now lives in a shared comunity housing [ hell] as he thinks ] tbh! i think hes better off where he is now only because he's too old to be climbing hand made ladders he even admitted to me when he took me there [ in a sort of around about way ] like old folk do ; you can go up the ladders if you like but i dont know how sound the floor is so watch your step lad he said ! the tree house was an amazing place sadly a lot of the timber he had put there was quite rotten so i never even dared to go to the top floor . this story told by the appalachian storyteller reminds me so much of this old kid i know , all he wanted was shelter and he litral grew it then put floors in where he needed them this tree house is still out there i know whitch woodland it is in but for sure i could not find it today .
Hard to imagin but l belive you. Life in America once had people so close to nature. Europe lost that long , long ago. That is what made America a special place. A strong country. Im so sad that this is almost gone. Like these trees.
In Perry County, Georgia in 1997 at the county fair, we saw a 24 ft. log built onto a trailer. It was hollowed out all the way through with three rooms and a door on each end the rooms were 6.5 ft.tall and wide.
WOW, JD!! I've never heard of such a thing before! The creativeness and ingenuity of the Appalachian immigrants was out of this world! I'm so impressed! I would've loved living in a stump house!
My great-grandmother's house is still standing in Aiken, SC. It's made entirely of American Chestnut and has a central hearth fireplace with a big cast iron pot and cradle still in it. My cousin Jeff lives in it. We've caught several people over the years trying to steal wood off of the house. It was built in the late 1800's
Wow I would so love to see that. How big is the home?? Is it just the stump home only or extended in some way?? Cause the big American chestnuts was like a max 14’ diameter?? Or was there bigger??
@@jacobhendrickson8935 It's not a stump home. It's made out of Chestnut. The house is 4 bedrooms, of which 11 children were raised. Maybe 1100 square feet.
French citizen here. First time hearing about those tiny houses of yore so thanks for sharing. I'm conflicted: Glad that people with little money could have shelter but I also wish those magnificent giant trees could have been saved, restart from their feet... It's easier to collect & destroy than create isn't it.
If anyone wants to see some old growth forest in the east, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Graham County, NC can give you a glimpse. The huge chesnuts won't be there due to the horrible blight, but you will see some centuries old trees such as poplar. Scientists have been working on breeding a blight resistant chesnut for years. Hopefully future generations will see the chestnuts restored. Thank you for producing this excellent documentary on the stump houses. Great narration, too.
I absolutely love this channel! I especially love the ones where you tell the stories your Grandma would tell you. My Grandpa was the story teller and I miss him
I live in British Columbia, Canada and I love listening to storytellers. I just found your channel and it is amazing. I have always loved Appalachian music, especially the ballads. I really loved the story about granny witches, that is what true witches are, nothing like the bs we see on social media. Sending you much love and light.
👋 Victoria BC. We have some of these big stumps in BC. I don’t know think I’ve ever seen them built them into homes though, or even alternative out buildings,
Amazing!! I wish I could have lived in the time of the majestic, huge chestnut trees. To gaze upon the virgin forests. What an exciting time it must have been. I love seeing the stump houses, I would have been proud to live in one. That shows appreciation for God's natural creations. The sweet times that have faded into history. Now days with too much social media, many peoples lives have no mystery. A lack of morals and self respect, has replaced love of God and country in many instances. I fear that too much progress is actually determential.
Just wanted to let you know I had to put my dad in a place called Journey home today... instead of the nursing home cuz I could not do that to him. it's a really nice place has six bedrooms. They take patients that have 30 days or less so I don't know... can't really think straight right now but I wanted to let no the last few nights I shared your videos with him and he really enjoyed them at this really special I'm still watch the videos and hit like and support I just may not comment for a little while if you could just keep me in your prayers Thank you
Bella, I'm so sorry for your situation. I pray for clarity in your thoughts and peace in your heart. And I pray that your dad is pain free, easy in his mind and at peace in his heart, too. Remember to grieve when the time comes and eventually the good, sweet memories with help with the raw pain. God bless you, dear.
Growing up in the redwoods, plenty of hippies still live in hollowed out redwoods. When the base is hollowed out by fire, you end up with a room that's 15 ft across, and all you have to do is install platforms to make it 3 or 4 stories. There arre also plenty of homeless folks who just find a big redwood stump and throw a tarp over the top of in and set up camp inside. Cheap, easy, and it keeps the weather out just fine.
You actually had me…..wait for it….stumped, with this most informative video yet. You are a true teacher of a world that existed not to many years ago, and still probably have descendants that are still living the Appalachian life. Thank you!!
My fifth great granddad Christopher Kit Maynard settled a little holler by building a cabin into a cave mouth. Now known as Brushy Creek, Pike County KY. They were so inguinitive and resilient back then.
Phenomenal ingenuity and hard work put into making these incredibly strong weather withstanding homes. I mourn for the beautiful insanely huge trees that were cut down. I'd not heard of stump houses before but what amazing wee family homes ❤
Well, ya got me with this one, JD. I hadn't heard of such in Appalachia. I wish I could live in one, in the middle of nowhere, right now... partially because of that aversion to politicians! ~Bama
Thank you!! I had never heard of stump houses. It is awesome to see people's ingenuity in making use of these stumps and sad they cut down all of these old trees.
So interesting. I turned 66 today. You just proved you can teach an old dog new tricks. I have never heard of stump houses. I might find a bigger one of those than the bird house apartment I’m in now. Thanks for the super fun and educational video.
No age 66 club, but there should be one! No guarantee anyone gets to live this long. One of my friends died at age 49 and I lost my little sister to cancer at age 59. Be nice if everyone could reach old age. They keep saying we live longer these days after all. Both my grandparents lived to age 87.
J D I am 77 years young and have roamed the mountains of sw virginia and have never came across any chestnut stumps of this size. I guess that the elevation here in Wyhte co va, the trees did not grow as big here. But love this this is very inlightning
Man, it's so sad to see these wonderful trees in just pictures! Couldn't they have left a few for us to enjoy? Honestly, how amazing they must have looked in real life!
It is fun to learn about lifestyles of country people “way back then”. And the photos are wonderful to look at. Thank you very much for your insights and stories. You videos are A+ ‼️
You got it going on this week, friend! Theys been times when a tree stump woulda suited me just fine. That cold sidewalk will put your body to hurting, JD! Today's story was awesome brother and I'll see ya early Saturday morning
JD, i sure do love it!😁 An intriguing simple life with all the natural beauty surrounding you, sounds heavenly to me. I imagine being in these places when you tell about them and it feels warm, peaceful, & loving, just like my mamaw. I always think of her and how she grew up in the depression. Both parents died by the time she was 12 but she had a few brothers and sisters to look after her until she met and married my papaw. I wish i would have payed more attention to what she was teaching me about the woods and everything in them. We're close to Viking mountain in a little place called greystone. We live next to the mouth of bullen holler that takes you up to margarite falls and it's plum beautiful. Way back in the 30's & 40's there was a logging company with a train that ran out of the holler. There's a whole town out in the woods with sidewalks and all. If course it's grown up over the years and the flood in 2001 took a lot of the structures down. It would be a great story to tell if a person had the details about it. Greeneville, Tennessee is where it's at and there's a lot of history there. There's a few places where the sidewalk splits off and runs up to a set of steps to a house. The house is gone but the steps, sidewalk, and well house are still standing. Anyways, Thank you for the story, Prayers & Blessing to you. JD= The GOAT of Appalachian story telling! ✨✌️✨🫶✨🙏✨🤘✨
How interesting but such a tragedy at the loss of such majestic trees. All for nothing but greed. Our forest are disappearing at an alarming rate and no protection for them in sight. Breaks my heart.
Those trees built America... As much as it saddens me that many of them ancient giants are gone, they did great good for our country As for logging nowadays, the vast majority is literally farmed like crops nowadays.
The chestnuts of Appalachia were wiped out by blight disease, not over-harvesting. They tried to stop the spread of blight by cutting down all the trees in an infected area but nothing stopped the spread. The loss of the majestic american chestnut trees was incredibly sad.
Gosh I wish I could see one. When you think of the abodes our forefathers created- caves, sod, mud, etc. it shouldn't be surprising they would utilize sturdy stumps. I imagine that stumps did make sturdy, secure structures to house and protect animals that were so important to survival. Wonder how many still stand. great story dear! Stay safe and GOD bless
This is fascinating! I grew up in a house where my Daddy loved history, took us to museums, did primitive camping and played his banjo but I don't ever remember stump houses. I just love your channel, I miss my dad and he sure would have loved your stories too.
Well this is a new one on me and my family has lived in these mountains well over 300 years. I'm glad I watched this video as it taught me something brand new about the history of Appalachia that my elders never told me about growing up. Thank you for sharing this video with us It goes to show you are never too old to learn something new.
I've read stories and seen photos of the giant trees that once lived in our forests, when all was still pure and clean. Virgin forests. But did not know that homes were made from the stumps! At least they were put to great use. Just amazing.
What a fascinating video showing the ingenuity of Appalachian people. Love these homes, and all the effort it surely took to create them. Thanks so much for sharing this. From Ruth in England x
Excellent video. When I was growing up there was a big stump in my home town in Northern Ontario, I think it was a willow. At least 10 feet across and 10 feet tall. May have been the last of the old growth in the area, which was mainly oak and ash. A couple of the older teens got permission to hollow it out to make a ‘fort’ for the kids in town. Some days it was a castle, some days it was ship, but it was always fun.
I found out why I cried when I heard harps, fiddles or flute. I also was enamored with banjos and mountain music. My great grand daddy on my dads side came over during the Black '47s or there abouts when the potato famine hit Ireland. He was Scotch-Irish and married a Cherokee woman. I knew I had some of the old country in me and always loved the hills, I was made from their stock and the Cherokee they married. I am a outdoor, hills kinna guy. Your stories bring tears to my eyes when I hear about the old timers and the old country, especially the part about not contributing to corrupt politicians and banksters (Legend of The Fall). Living off the grid is long good, healthy living and my grand da was born in 1902. He lived until he was about 102 as well. My mom is currently 95. My estranged dad, who became too city, my granda's son, is 96. So, I got a long history of the hills in my family along with the strength of character and gravity to the old ways and living long. I still use roots, berries, herbs and such to keep healthy and don't like the city much but stay close to take care of my mom's administrative affairs after moving her out of independent living in a retirement home by myself and into a nursing home, at about 92 years of age, because I never married a city girl (money) and raised a family. So I couldn't tend to her myself at the ready. I was always working from about 5 and knew how to drive a tractor at about 8. Grew up on Maryland Easter shore on the Wicomico Rives in the summer. When I hear your stories, I can't help but love this. It's so real and so heart felt I feel it in my bones and always look forward to hearing more. Thank you for all you do. It means a lot even though this is just words on a page. But city living was never for me. I lived in the element for over 42 years and slept like some of these people did, only not so well. But I survived 2 residual hurricanes, 3 record breaking blizzards, hitched across the US and back from coast to coast sleeping under the stars sometimes and just turned 67, moving in to a new apartment by my lonesome. So I know I got the strength of the original pioneers in my genes and it shows, thank the Lord. I am so thankful for being in touch with the photos you show and the stories. It means more to me than gold. Thanks again, you absolutely Rock!
@@bigtoelittlefinger6133 Much obliged. Thank you very much! My mate, Howie Nicholsby, owns 21 Century Kilts. He made mine, from our family tartan, New Stuart of Bute. His da owns Geoffrey Tailors in Edinburgh. I haven't seen him for a wee bit but he use to come to these parts in Virginia to the Highland Games every year to set up and sell. If you ever get a chance, you should stop by his shop and give a shout. Thanks for the love.
Amazing. Sad we were so thoughtless about preservation. That said, I would love to live in a stump house! I bet they were warm. Love the hard work and ingenuity! Loved learning about this! Thank you!
It's always so interesting to see into the past with these old photos! I wonder if any remaining houses were preserved somehow, it would cool to see. Great video
I'm so happy I ran across your channel. You are an excellent storyteller. You Paint such a picture in my mind that I feel like I am there, And that is truly the mark of one of the Greats. Many blessings.
Awesome!! I still have a neighbor living is a log house. But you'd have to live a bit higher in the mountains to find these stumps. Thank you for the info!!! My people were experts at making do with what they had!
In the early 1980's I stayed in a motel in Eukia, CA. Across the street from the motel was a gas station that had its office built into a massive Redwood Tree stump. Knowing that the wood from a Redwood can last seemingly forever if properly treated, I have no reason not to believe that the gas station with its Redwood Tree office exists today. From the photos that you showed with your documentary, I have to think that in many cases such living was truly a comfortable and pleasant way to live, even though this living arrangement was a necessary choice for some poor families. Frankly I'm a little envious, since the simple, modest lifestyle is the best way to live, "don't ya think."
I grew up in West Virginia. One of my great grandfathers lived in a tree with his brother. They were called the Pringle Brothers. There is a memorial along the road outside of Elkins WV where the tree was.
This is amazing 🤩 I’d gladly move into one tomorrow the way things are right now. Brilliant video, great narration and the visuals…!!! Fantastic 🌟 Thanks for sharing, sending much love from the U. K.
@@karenroot450 I wouldn’t even mind that, it’s so expensive where I am, my only option at the moment is a static caravan (equivalent to a trailer in the U.S.A.) If I’m going to downsize at least it’d have character and gorgeous scenery 💚
Cannot remember the nursery rhyme that the characters lived in tree but that thought of living in a tree has always stuck with me & I am 75 this month of March. I never knew pioneers or folks in the old days lived in tree stumps. Great video.
I grew up in Humboldt County living in my homestead now,we had a lady who lived in a stump house she had a goat farm she lived in the stump house with her goats 🐏 just down the lane was were we got our gallons of fresh milk cream on top still warm oh, and our 🥚 our community is known for our yearly Blackberry Festival all hand picked by locals thanks for sharing!!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
When I was a kid, one of my favorite books was "my side of the mountain" about a kid who runs away and actually lives inside the bottom of a partially hollowed out tree. I think it was a redwood. I loved it!
Jean Craighead George wrote this book. Followed up with two more books(can’t recall titles). Great young adult books.
I loved that book. I used to read it after school sitting in a huge pine tree in my front yard. I'd grab a couple of apples and climb up there for some quiet and the great scent.
I must have read that book 100 times.
Great book...
Thank you for reminding me of that book, I loved it.
honestly it brings tears to my eyes seeing those old pictures of those massive ancient trees felled. all part of the beautiful lost America none of us will ever get to see.
Oh please. Most of us wouldn't see it anyway. I've never been to that area & probably never will. If they needed to cut down trees in order to sustain human life then so be it.
Absolutely, just like us, they are eventually going to die anyway. May as well make use of the wood because one of these days it's going to rot and turn into topsoil.
Well we would still have trees like that if not for the Chinese blight that killed all the American chestnut trees in the early 1900s
Absolutely, the north ga mountains have valleys that are full of dead chestnut trees laying on the ground, and believe it or not, they are still sound and solid enough to saw into lumber after all these years. Some of those wilderness areas are completely untouched due to the rough terrain.@@pgogel8974
Does it really?
"And they'd fix em up riiiiight nice!" 😁
33 years old and I've heard of these but never really knew the history. As a student of history, I thank you for sharing this cool bit of it.
🥰
Do you feel any remorse. North America is a shadow of it's former self.
The photos he shares are of stumps in the Pacific Northwest.
One of my great grandmothers was born in a redwood stump house in California in 1845. At 3:00 in this video you can see one of my great grandfather's, first row,far right (holding a pipe). His name was Joseph Foster. He is standing with 49 other men on the stump of the "Mark Twain" redwood tree,which was sectioned and sent back east for exhibition.
Spotted Him , didn't see Him at first but when I found Him He is exactly where you said He is . That Cool .
😢
Wow that's crazy
OK I read your comment again , this time more carefully . Although the Video is based on Appalachia Your Great Grandparents were both from California but still associated with Stump Houses . Wikipedia has an Article about the Mark Twain Tree and a better quality Photo than the one in this Video . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Tree
Just revisited Wikipedia that Photo is Zoomable with Great Detail !
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Tree
JD, I am 65 years old and I never heard of these wonderful stump houses. They are so amazing. I wish I could see one in real life. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Glad you enjoyed it
72 here, never a word about these, and I was born, raised in the Appalachian Mt area.
@@petegregory517 the whole worlds information is right at your fingertips. You can see, hear and learn things you've never imagined. I hope you find something fun.
@@unknown5150variable Yeah, but there's more than you can actually think of. Who in the world is one day sittin' in their underwear on the ez chair and says "dang, think I'll look up something I never heard of.....how bout🤔stump house's? Never heard of such a thing but, what the hey?"😆
@@petegregory517algorithm nether have I if you look at comments in most videos you will see alot are months and years apart for older videos utube trys the video out then takes it off the shelf them tries again that's how it's random for all of us
I stayed in one as a kid.
It was on my buddies property when they bought it. We fixed it up as a Fort and camped in it. It was probably 10' wide inside.
Great memories for you to have now!! ☺️🇨🇦
Awesome!
What a waste to cut down all these beautiful giants
@@hallodan23 The timber was used to build homes. So not a waste.
@@paullangford8179homes are still being built with wood. There was alternatives to these massive trees being used back then.
Got pictures of my grandpa living in a stump house, Corbin, ky.
That's so great to see 5:57
We (humans) can be so creative, and capable of marvelous achievements. At the same time capable of such destruction, and ignorance. I pray we come together and smarten up. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing pictures 👍
What an amazing people from whom we of Appalachian blood descend. “Resilience and innovation” is a perfect summation of the Appalachian culture. With the world getting as it is, my family have had a fair few conversations about moving back to join our family in the mountains. And if we don’t, I know our people will still be there whenever my descendants decide to go back home.
sorry to say the gentree has moved in and it aint quite like it used to be up in the hills
i remember seing a documentry on youtube showing the changes in the appalachiain mountains [ the upshot was out of town people wre buying land and turning it into gated comunitys ]
not realy what the locals wanted tbh!
You mean boat people. You are all boat people. You all came from elsewhere. There is no glorious origin.
Your nativist idea of some sort of local indigenous bloodline is deranged. At best you’re inbreeding.
An amount as giant as these trees, fled the hills in the south, many many moons ago, looking for work in Detroit, in the auto industry.
As an Appalachian person who still lives in appalachia, it is not what it used to be. I'm not sure you'd get what you're looking for if you came back.
Just read online today 03/24/2024 that people are selling their homes in Florida and heading to Appalachia to build and retire. 😪
It makes me so sad to see these ancient trees all felled...but the fact that folk made use of the stumps is fascinating! Thankyou. I never knew this! ❤
Those were times when people were free to put a roof of some kind over their heads, and not be compelled to live under a bridge or in a tent along side a street. I have heard and read about people living in hollow trees or stumps in pioneer days. Thanks, JD, for the great story.
yes people lived sustainably long before our blessed govt came with all its armies of agencies "to help and guide us with expert wisdom." it was teh corporations who profited from the giant tree felling. the Natives werent so stupid to chop them down.
The Keebler Elves live in a tree………..😂
Give me the good old days before planning boards and permits. I'm old and lived in the era we built when we needed and it was no one's business but ours. Loved the pictures. Never saw a postcard with a picture of the stump houses. I'm totally amazed.
It's great you can complain about certain aspects of your government, yet there are other parts of that same government that help you enormously. Canny folk can work out who is stripping the helpful parts away from you.
@@VanderlyndenJengold I'm just curious, how does the government help us?
@@SirenaSpades If you are curious there are plenty of sources you can learn from, rather than a stranger on the internet. Good luck!
@@SirenaSpadesThe government helps us think and makes our decisions for us, because we couldn't possibly do it for ourselves.
Your era gave us strip malls and parking lots. Thanks.
i know a man who is in his 70's now. who planted 16 trees when he was a young boy with his dad in the middle of a forest [ 30 years later ] he built a tree house within the square of trees he and his dad planted .
now he lives in a town house but i did get to see his tree house a few years ago he took me there ! theres no way i would ever find the place on my own , as you can almost walk right past it without seeing it . this thing / house had 3 storys no roof as such just a slanted green tarp streached between the trees no real walls just branches that over the years he inter twined together . he told me he lived there for 35 years with no bathroom no windows no real door . every bit of the house was made from branches the only thing he had was a realy big pot belly stove with a 30 ft steel stack set right in the middle of the trees two sets of ladders made from straight thin tree trunks .
honestly my discription of this place is a realy poor attempt to describe something that litraly grew . all he did was wait and year by year got planks ready and trained the branches to his desire / cut off branches in the middle and twisted branches together between trees [ making a living wall as such ]
he lived in the middle of this woodland for almost 35 years with no one bothering him .
sadly where we live the authoritys will not let you live how you want . and today he now lives in a shared comunity housing [ hell] as he thinks ]
tbh! i think hes better off where he is now only because he's too old to be climbing hand made ladders he even admitted to me when he took me there [ in a sort of around about way ] like old folk do ; you can go up the ladders if you like but i dont know how sound the floor is so watch your step lad he said !
the tree house was an amazing place sadly a lot of the timber he had put there was quite rotten so i never even dared to go to the top floor .
this story told by the appalachian storyteller reminds me so much of this old kid i know , all he wanted was shelter and he litral grew it then put floors in where he needed them
this tree house is still out there i know whitch woodland it is in but for sure i could not find it today .
Cap
Very cool story, thanks for sharing
A wonderful story, thank you for sharing that. 💓
The plan: Go into deep wilderness, select site, clear & plant select arboreal species, wait 30 years, PROFIT. I love playing the long game.
Hard to imagin but l belive you.
Life in America once had
people so close to nature.
Europe lost that long , long ago.
That is what made America
a special place. A strong
country. Im so sad that
this is almost gone.
Like these trees.
In Perry County, Georgia in 1997 at the county fair, we saw a 24 ft. log built onto a trailer. It was hollowed out all the way through with three rooms and a door on each end the rooms were 6.5 ft.tall and wide.
O bet that was so awesome ❤
I wonder if it is still in shape to see. How awesome that would be. I'm in Georgia but never heard of these
I think I have some pictures of that house you are talking about that my grandparents took. I'll have to see if I can find it.
That’s amazing is it still there? 💜
AWESOME!
Truly amazing!!!!! This is something I would HAPPILY live in today!!!!
Some of those stump houses were gigantic up to seven 800 and even 1000 ft.²
Only until the first time you need groceries!
what is your source@@TheAppalachianStoryteller
💯
@@brentnevius2849 I currently live on a self-sufficient homestead... I would be fine 🙂
Never underestimate the resourcefulness of country folk.
yup!
Europeans were/are something.
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller more more more of this. thank you.
@@tommas2674 The interesting part to me is they werent born Appalachian country folk, they created Appalachian country folk.
@@jssekyl some seemed to even create British brown stone homes like from My Fair Lady, Henry Higgins house.
WOW, JD!! I've never heard of such a thing before! The creativeness and ingenuity of the Appalachian immigrants was out of this world! I'm so impressed! I would've loved living in a stump house!
Irish slaves in island places were not given dwellings. I want a stump. I need a stump.
That has to be just about the coolest house I've EVER seen!
Wow, I used to have recurring dreams of my own stump houses and had no idea they were anywhere other than my imagination!
My great-grandmother's house is still standing in Aiken, SC. It's made entirely of American Chestnut and has a central hearth fireplace with a big cast iron pot and cradle still in it. My cousin Jeff lives in it. We've caught several people over the years trying to steal wood off of the house. It was built in the late 1800's
Wow so amazing Jeff is still living there, I bet it’s lovely there. He has a much simpler life living that way hard work but simple and honest.
Wow I would so love to see that. How big is the home?? Is it just the stump home only or extended in some way?? Cause the big American chestnuts was like a max 14’ diameter?? Or was there bigger??
@@jacobhendrickson8935 It's not a stump home. It's made out of Chestnut.
The house is 4 bedrooms, of which 11 children were raised. Maybe 1100 square feet.
@@BeardMan01 wow that’s awesome.
What a lucky man he is.
Some of the stump houses were beautiful with windows and balconies! Amazing.
Thank you pat Smith for the link! Seen the photo before but not like this.ZOOM!
I cry for those mayestic trees...
💚
I remember a story about a guy who tree camp to stop logger’s from cutting it down. People brought food and stuff for him. True story.
French citizen here. First time hearing about those tiny houses of yore so thanks for sharing. I'm conflicted: Glad that people with little money could have shelter but I also wish those magnificent giant trees could have been saved, restart from their feet...
It's easier to collect & destroy than create isn't it.
well said my friend, thanks for commenting! And greetings from East Tennessee USA
If anyone wants to see some old growth forest in the east, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Graham County, NC can give you a glimpse. The huge chesnuts won't be there due to the horrible blight, but you will see some centuries old trees such as poplar. Scientists have been working on breeding a blight resistant chesnut for years. Hopefully future generations will see the chestnuts restored.
Thank you for producing this excellent documentary on the stump houses. Great narration, too.
yes, ive walked that forest, its beautiful
I absolutely love this channel! I especially love the ones where you tell the stories your Grandma would tell you. My Grandpa was the story teller and I miss him
Thank you 😊
I live in British Columbia, Canada and I love listening to storytellers. I just found your channel and it is amazing. I have always loved Appalachian music, especially the ballads. I really loved the story about granny witches, that is what true witches are, nothing like the bs we see on social media. Sending you much love and light.
👋 Victoria BC. We have some of these big stumps in BC. I don’t know think I’ve ever seen them built them into homes though, or even alternative out buildings,
BEAUTIFUL!!!! And one of the last photos of the woman at the window of her Stump Home, that Stump exudes happiness, to me ❤️❤️❤️
Amazing!!
I wish I could have lived in the time of the
majestic, huge chestnut trees.
To gaze upon the virgin forests.
What an exciting time it must have been.
I love seeing the stump houses,
I would have been proud to live in
one.
That shows appreciation for God's
natural creations.
The sweet times that have faded
into history.
Now days with too much social media, many peoples lives have no mystery.
A lack of morals and self respect,
has replaced love of God and country in many instances.
I fear that too much progress is
actually determential.
Born 52 years late. My time would have been 1890 to ???.
Just wanted to let you know I had to put my dad in a place called Journey home today... instead of the nursing home cuz I could not do that to him. it's a really nice place has six bedrooms. They take patients that have 30 days or less so I don't know... can't really think straight right now but I wanted to let no the last few nights I shared your videos with him and he really enjoyed them at this really special I'm still watch the videos and hit like and support I just may not comment for a little while if you could just keep me in your prayers Thank you
Bella, I'm so sorry for your situation. I pray for clarity in your thoughts and peace in your heart. And I pray that your dad is pain free, easy in his mind and at peace in his heart, too. Remember to grieve when the time comes and eventually the good, sweet memories with help with the raw pain. God bless you, dear.
@@MyraG1225 thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. Truly means a lot. Again thank you 🙏
I am so sorry. May God be with you, your dad and family. Blessings and prayers.
@@PB-ho6dm thank you so very much that's so kind of you. He passed away this afternoon but thank you again for the kind words
@@Bella1neverknows670my condolences dear, he's left the pain of our mortal existence. Hugs
Growing up in the redwoods, plenty of hippies still live in hollowed out redwoods. When the base is hollowed out by fire, you end up with a room that's 15 ft across, and all you have to do is install platforms to make it 3 or 4 stories. There arre also plenty of homeless folks who just find a big redwood stump and throw a tarp over the top of in and set up camp inside. Cheap, easy, and it keeps the weather out just fine.
Any photos?
I could live in one comfortably. I think this is just amazing!❤
You actually had me…..wait for it….stumped, with this most informative video yet. You are a true teacher of a world that existed not to many years ago, and still probably have descendants that are still living the Appalachian life. Thank you!!
The images provided with this story are amazing. Great work, JD.
Thank you 🙏
My fifth great granddad Christopher Kit Maynard settled a little holler by building a cabin into a cave mouth. Now known as Brushy Creek, Pike County KY. They were so inguinitive and resilient back then.
Hello, if I remember right, he was my Great Great Grandfather also. There is a book called, Maynrds of Eastern Kentucky.
Yes that was before 🤬 building codes. A person could build what they wanted!
Are there any left?
Ingenuitive *
I have the book.
What an incredible use of resources! Something to tell the kids about, certainly!
The old growth forest must of been amazing i wish i could of seen it 1000years ago
Phenomenal ingenuity and hard work put into making these incredibly strong weather withstanding homes. I mourn for the beautiful insanely huge trees that were cut down. I'd not heard of stump houses before but what amazing wee family homes ❤
Well, ya got me with this one, JD. I hadn't heard of such in Appalachia. I wish I could live in one, in the middle of nowhere, right now... partially because of that aversion to politicians! ~Bama
Isn’t this a neat little story? Can you imagine living in a stump for a house but rent free and no mortgage and no taxes
Me too!
Sounds just about as close to heaven as you can have on earth! 😊
Me toooo!!
These were in California, Washington state, and Oregon!
Thank you!! I had never heard of stump houses. It is awesome to see people's ingenuity in making use of these stumps and sad they cut down all of these old trees.
So interesting. I turned 66 today. You just proved you can teach an old dog new tricks. I have never heard of stump houses. I might find a bigger one of those than the bird house apartment I’m in now. Thanks for the super fun and educational video.
I've been 66 since last August. "Happy Birthday"
And welcome to the #66 club. So glad you made it!
I'll be 66. 3 - 30. There's a club ? 😂
No age 66 club, but there should be one! No guarantee anyone gets to live this long. One of my friends died at age 49 and I lost my little sister to cancer at age 59. Be nice if everyone could reach old age. They keep saying we live longer these days after all. Both my grandparents lived to age 87.
@@Bitterstone3849 Happy Birthday.
@@BeeFunKnee Happy belated birthday.
Again your history draws me but its your musical selections both melody and instrumentation that keep me. God bless you & yours, JD.
Thank you !
J D I am 77 years young and have roamed the mountains of sw virginia and have never came across any chestnut stumps of this size. I guess that the elevation here in Wyhte co va, the trees did not grow as big here. But love this this is very inlightning
I love how well dressed they were, my grandparents were like that. They lived out in the bushes but they were always nicely dressed.
I would love to live in a stump house. So sad that it shows the greed of men though. Awesome story, thank you.
Man, it's so sad to see these wonderful trees in just pictures! Couldn't they have left a few for us to enjoy? Honestly, how amazing they must have looked in real life!
Fascinating. I'd never heard of stump houses. A great collection of photos.
It is fun to learn about lifestyles of country people
“way back then”. And the photos are wonderful to look at. Thank you very much for your insights and stories.
You videos are A+ ‼️
149 # we love these stories.. keep them coming J.D…
Thank you John!
This one really resonated. RUclips premium subscriber for years, but this is the first super thanks ever! Thank you so much for this awesome video.
Thank you brother so much. It’s much appreciated and that’s an honor but I won’t forget thank you!
You got it going on this week, friend! Theys been times when a tree stump woulda suited me just fine. That cold sidewalk will put your body to hurting, JD! Today's story was awesome brother and I'll see ya early Saturday morning
see ya in the morning!
I love when I can learn about the origins of slang phrases! "Stump speech"...who knew!!
Actually, I knew that one but not the house aspect.
JD, i sure do love it!😁 An intriguing simple life with all the natural beauty surrounding you, sounds heavenly to me. I imagine being in these places when you tell about them and it feels warm, peaceful, & loving, just like my mamaw. I always think of her and how she grew up in the depression. Both parents died by the time she was 12 but she had a few brothers and sisters to look after her until she met and married my papaw. I wish i would have payed more attention to what she was teaching me about the woods and everything in them. We're close to Viking mountain in a little place called greystone. We live next to the mouth of bullen holler that takes you up to margarite falls and it's plum beautiful. Way back in the 30's & 40's there was a logging company with a train that ran out of the holler. There's a whole town out in the woods with sidewalks and all. If course it's grown up over the years and the flood in 2001 took a lot of the structures down. It would be a great story to tell if a person had the details about it. Greeneville, Tennessee is where it's at and there's a lot of history there. There's a few places where the sidewalk splits off and runs up to a set of steps to a house. The house is gone but the steps, sidewalk, and well house are still standing. Anyways, Thank you for the story, Prayers & Blessing to you. JD= The GOAT of Appalachian story telling! ✨✌️✨🫶✨🙏✨🤘✨
How interesting but such a tragedy at the loss of such majestic trees. All for nothing but greed. Our forest are disappearing at an alarming rate and no protection for them in sight. Breaks my heart.
Those trees built America... As much as it saddens me that many of them ancient giants are gone, they did great good for our country
As for logging nowadays, the vast majority is literally farmed like crops nowadays.
You have wood products all around your house. Trees aren't harvested for no reason. Ps. That stuff you wipe with comes from 🌲🌴
The chestnuts of Appalachia were wiped out by blight disease, not over-harvesting. They tried to stop the spread of blight by cutting down all the trees in an infected area but nothing stopped the spread. The loss of the majestic american chestnut trees was incredibly sad.
Gosh I wish I could see one. When you think of the abodes our forefathers created- caves, sod, mud, etc. it shouldn't be surprising they would utilize sturdy stumps. I imagine that stumps did make sturdy, secure structures to house and protect animals that were so important to survival. Wonder how many still stand. great story dear! Stay safe and GOD bless
This is fascinating! I grew up in a house where my Daddy loved history, took us to museums, did primitive camping and played his banjo but I don't ever remember stump houses. I just love your channel, I miss my dad and he sure would have loved your stories too.
Well this is a new one on me and my family has lived in these mountains well over 300 years. I'm glad I watched this video as it taught me something brand new about the history of Appalachia that my elders never told me about growing up. Thank you for sharing this video with us It goes to show you are never too old to learn something new.
I've read stories and seen photos of the giant trees that once lived in our forests, when all was still pure and clean. Virgin forests. But did not know that homes were made from the stumps! At least they were put to great use. Just amazing.
Those stumps were massive!. This is amazing. Thank you for this.❤
What a fascinating video showing the ingenuity of Appalachian people. Love these homes, and all the effort it surely took to create them. Thanks so much for sharing this. From Ruth in England x
You sure brightened my day JD with this being the first video that greeted my morning. Thank you for the joyful heart smiles Dear 😊❤
thank you !
Great story telling and smooth video! Fascinating isn't it the history of the land will never be known fully.
Excellent video. When I was growing up there was a big stump in my home town in Northern Ontario, I think it was a willow. At least 10 feet across and 10 feet tall. May have been the last of the old growth in the area, which was mainly oak and ash.
A couple of the older teens got permission to hollow it out to make a ‘fort’ for the kids in town. Some days it was a castle, some days it was ship, but it was always fun.
I never knew people lived like this ! That is so amazing! All those people were so inventive, and resortsful. My hat off to them all!! 🎩👏
I found out why I cried when I heard harps, fiddles or flute. I also was enamored with banjos and mountain music. My great grand daddy on my dads side came over during the Black '47s or there abouts when the potato famine hit Ireland. He was Scotch-Irish and married a Cherokee woman. I knew I had some of the old country in me and always loved the hills, I was made from their stock and the Cherokee they married. I am a outdoor, hills kinna guy. Your stories bring tears to my eyes when I hear about the old timers and the old country, especially the part about not contributing to corrupt politicians and banksters (Legend of The Fall). Living off the grid is long good, healthy living and my grand da was born in 1902. He lived until he was about 102 as well. My mom is currently 95. My estranged dad, who became too city, my granda's son, is 96. So, I got a long history of the hills in my family along with the strength of character and gravity to the old ways and living long. I still use roots, berries, herbs and such to keep healthy and don't like the city much but stay close to take care of my mom's administrative affairs after moving her out of independent living in a retirement home by myself and into a nursing home, at about 92 years of age, because I never married a city girl (money) and raised a family. So I couldn't tend to her myself at the ready. I was always working from about 5 and knew how to drive a tractor at about 8. Grew up on Maryland Easter shore on the Wicomico Rives in the summer. When I hear your stories, I can't help but love this. It's so real and so heart felt I feel it in my bones and always look forward to hearing more. Thank you for all you do. It means a lot even though this is just words on a page. But city living was never for me. I lived in the element for over 42 years and slept like some of these people did, only not so well. But I survived 2 residual hurricanes, 3 record breaking blizzards, hitched across the US and back from coast to coast sleeping under the stars sometimes and just turned 67, moving in to a new apartment by my lonesome. So I know I got the strength of the original pioneers in my genes and it shows, thank the Lord. I am so thankful for being in touch with the photos you show and the stories. It means more to me than gold. Thanks again, you absolutely Rock!
Class story and history Great wee read wish u and your old maw the best much love fae bonnie Scotland ❤
@@bigtoelittlefinger6133
Much obliged. Thank you very much! My mate, Howie Nicholsby, owns 21 Century Kilts. He made mine, from our family tartan, New Stuart of Bute. His da owns Geoffrey Tailors in Edinburgh. I haven't seen him for a wee bit but he use to come to these parts in Virginia to the Highland Games every year to set up and sell. If you ever get a chance, you should stop by his shop and give a shout. Thanks for the love.
Amazing. Sad we were so thoughtless about preservation. That said, I would love to live in a stump house! I bet they were warm. Love the hard work and ingenuity! Loved learning about this! Thank you!
Are there any remaining houses, hopefully if so they are protected, that people can visit?
It's always so interesting to see into the past with these old photos! I wonder if any remaining houses were preserved somehow, it would cool to see. Great video
The first tiny house. Heard of them never seen one.
I've always wanted to live in a cave but I find these to be very interesting. Thanks for sharing this with us JD and stay safe my friend 🙏
If you live in a cave then you have to deal with the bats and all their guano. 😳🤮
Absolutely fascinating 😮. The ingenuity of people is so amazing. Another great story.
Thank you!
I'm so happy I ran across your channel. You are an excellent storyteller. You Paint such a picture in my mind that I feel like I am there, And that is truly the mark of one of the Greats. Many blessings.
Thank you !
Great pics. Beautiful old trees.
Thank you so much Melissa hope you’re having a blessed day my friend
This was so fascinating, inspiring and heartbreaking all at once.
WoW!! Thanks JD
Thank you so much
Such beautiful photographs your channel has certainly come a long way very well done
Thank you Jennifer
Amazing !! The Land that time forgot !! Gratitude 🙏
Wonderful, work, and these people are so amazing.
Yes they are!
So neat! Never heard of a stump house. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing i hope some of them are still well standing 😂be real cool to see them much history of a greater time. Thanks for sharing ❤
WOW THAT'S AMAZING. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE STUMP HOUSES. WE LOVE YOUR STORIES . THANK YOU JD.❤❤❤❤
The old Danbury Fair had a hand carved trailer home made from a redwood log. All furniture was hewn from the log itself. I loved that exhibit.
Awesome!! I still have a neighbor living is a log house. But you'd have to live a bit higher in the mountains to find these stumps. Thank you for the info!!! My people were experts at making do with what they had!
Wow you outdone yourself on this one never heard of stump houses before great pictures terrific job ❤ it
In the early 1980's I stayed in a motel in Eukia, CA. Across the street from the motel was a gas station that had its office built into a massive Redwood Tree stump. Knowing that the wood from a Redwood can last seemingly forever if properly treated, I have no reason not to believe that the gas station with its Redwood Tree office exists today. From the photos that you showed with your documentary, I have to think that in many cases such living was truly a comfortable and pleasant way to live, even though this living arrangement was a necessary choice for some poor families. Frankly I'm a little envious, since the simple, modest lifestyle is the best way to live, "don't ya think."
Ukiah or Eureka?
I love your show. I could listen all day long! Such enunciation!
What is the intro music played on the fiddle? Thank you!
That song is called "Future King of Heaven"
New Sub great video. I'm from South Jersey moved to Appalachia 6 years ago and I will die here. There nothing like the people and freedom we have.
Welcome my friend!
I look forward to each and every story!! God bless you for sharing all that you do! ❤
Thank you!
Stumpin'!❤
I grew up in West Virginia. One of my great grandfathers lived in a tree with his brother. They were called the Pringle Brothers. There is a memorial along the road outside of Elkins WV where the tree was.
Ingenuity indeed! I'd love to live in one today.
Got your book last week. Thanks for signing. ✨
Thank you! I hope you enjoy!
Fascinating! I'm 53 and never knew such houses even existed. Well done video I enjoyed it!
This is amazing 🤩 I’d gladly move into one tomorrow the way things are right now. Brilliant video, great narration and the visuals…!!! Fantastic 🌟 Thanks for sharing, sending much love from the U. K.
Thank you Sarah!
Unfortunately you’d severely have to downsize. But it would be interesting to live in one
@@karenroot450 I wouldn’t even mind that, it’s so expensive where I am, my only option at the moment is a static caravan (equivalent to a trailer in the U.S.A.) If I’m going to downsize at least it’d have character and gorgeous scenery 💚
Love the stories and the photos. Thank you, JD,much love ❤
I've never heard of a stump house. Very unique for sure.
Cannot remember the nursery rhyme that the characters lived in tree but that thought of living in a tree has always stuck with me & I am 75 this month of March. I never knew pioneers or folks in the old days lived in tree stumps. Great video.
Happy Birthday Jan !
Happy birthday, Jan. I turned 75 at the end of January. Enjoy your day!
That's really amazing I wonder if anyone actually still lives in one anywhere in the US.
I grew up in Humboldt County living in my homestead now,we had a lady who lived in a stump house she had a goat farm she lived in the stump house with her goats 🐏 just down the lane was were we got our gallons of fresh milk cream on top still warm oh, and our 🥚 our community is known for our yearly Blackberry Festival all hand picked by locals thanks for sharing!!
That would be great now the stump house had to be warm thick as the stump walls were great video Jd GOD BLESS
i had never heard of that until now, but if there were any big stumps left today id be carving me a house rite fast! ❤