@bradley.thor
TikTok · Vlog
@bradley.thor A little cedar tree to lighten your mood today.
Trending short videosFelling a dead cedar tree with an axe start to finish
The edit1 shot · 0 text
Shots2:27
Performance
- Views
- 442.8K
- Likes
- 40K
- Comments
- 715
- Engagement
- 9.2%
- Length · 27 Apr 2025
- 2:27
Video #2056 · Vlog
Felling a dead cedar tree with an axe start to finishfrom @bradley.thor
[01]
Overview
The creator begins by clarifying that the tree he is about to fell is dead and that he has checked it for wildlife to preempt criticism. He explains the difficulty of chopping down a dry tree with an axe compared to splitting dry wood. The video then shows him making the initial face cut, followed by an explanation and execution of the back cut, which ultimately brings the tree down. He concludes by stating that while he uses an axe to maintain his skills, he will use a chainsaw for the cleanup.
[02]
Simple outline
- 1Address potential criticism
- 2State the difficult challenge
- 3Demonstrate the arduous process
- 4Explain the final strategy
- 5Deliver the dramatic payoff
[03]
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Classification
[05]
Hook analysis
What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds
Verbal hook · 65%
So before somebody's aunt absolutely reams me in the comments, this tree is dead.
Visual hook · 35%
A low-angle shot of a man dressed as a lumberjack, holding an axe, and looking up intently at a tall tree, immediately establishing the video's theme and action.
[06]
Hook template
Steal this for your own video
Before anyone comes for me in the comments — .
- — Before anyone comes for me in the comments — yes, I skipped the brine on this brisket.
- — Before anyone comes for me in the comments — I let my toddler pick her own outfit every single day.
- — Before anyone comes for me in the comments — I painted over original hardwood floors and I'd do it again.
[07]
Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
A Pre-emptive Defense that immediately disarms potential critics and establishes authority before the main action begins.
Payoff
The Dramatic Climax, where the accumulated effort results in a sudden, visually and audibly satisfying resolution that fulfills all built-up anticipation.
[08]
Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Process & Payoff Gauntlet
To build anticipation by framing a difficult, manual task as a challenge, demonstrating the arduous process in detail, and culminating in a highly satisfying, dramatic payoff.
- 1
The Ethical Justification
To demonstrate responsible and thoughtful preparation, building credibility and viewer trust by showing due diligence.
- 2
The Challenge Statement
To frame the upcoming task as exceptionally difficult, raising the stakes and managing viewer expectations for the effort involved.
- 3
The First Grind
A prolonged sequence demonstrating the physical execution of the first phase of the task, providing tangible proof of the previously stated difficulty.
- 4
The Strategic Pivot
A narrative pause where the creator explains the next, decisive step in the process, re-engaging the viewer with strategy and building anticipation for the final phase.
- 5
The Final Push
The second sequence of intense effort, executing the final part of the plan, where the tension reaches its peak.
- 6
The Craftsman's Coda
A brief aside that reinforces the creator's identity and justifies the use of a traditional or difficult method over a more modern, easier one.
Themes
Techniques
Post caption
A little cedar tree to lighten your mood today.
Transcript
So before somebody's aunt absolutely reams me in the comments, this tree is dead. And this is live evidence of me actually looking to make sure there's no best or birds of prey living in the tree. As you already know, splitting dry wood is super easy, but chopping a tree down with an ax by hand is a lot harder if the tree is dry. If you watch the axe closely, you'll see how much it does not wanna dig deeply into the wood. Perfect. Now I think it's time for our back cut to make it fall that way. Here we go. I worst it to fall in that direction. So I'm gonna put a nice little back cut tier, just a little bit higher than the pivot point of our face cut. No I will use a chainsaw to clean this whole thing up, but it is nice to use this as an opportunity to keep the ax skills sharp. Medic.