Fatwood is one of nature’s best all-natural waterproof fire starters and is also commonly known as pitch pine, pine knot, lighter wood, heart pine, or lighter knot. Fatwood is harvested from old pine stumps and tap roots that were leftover during the logging process or from trees that have fallen over, been damaged, or have died from other natural causes.
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What Is Fatwood Made Of?
Fatwood is the extremely flammable resin-soaked wood that forms after a pine tree has died.
After a pine tree has been cut or damaged, the tree sends a terpene-rich sap into the damaged area, and it becomes fatwood soaked in resin.
As the tree dies, the resin-soaked wood near pine knots and at the base of the stump gets hard and remains. The resin includes an all-natural hydrocarbon called terpene, which is also used in the production of turpentine. That is what makes fatwood fire starter so flammable.
Terpene is an organic but highly volatile chemical, which is why terpene is the “secret sauce” that helps turn dead pine wood and pine stumps, including the tap root, into Fatwood fire starter… one of nature’s best water repellent (some would say waterproof) firestarters.
What Kind Of Tree Does Fatwood Come From?
Fatwood comes from many different types of resinous trees but historically, the most common source of Fatwood is pine. Historically, in the United States, fatwood was most commonly associated with the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris).
However, those pine trees were overharvested in the U.S. and take up to 100 – 150 years to grow to maturity, so other faster-growing species of pines have replaced it for commercial replanting… and the commercial harvesting of Fatwood.
What Is Fatwood Used For?
The most common use for fat wood is as kindling or tinder to start a fire. True Fatwood is all-natural, with no chemical additives, and is 100% organic. It’s wind-resistant, lights quickly and easily, burns even in the dampest conditions, and burns hot enough to ignite significantly larger fuel logs.
Which is why Fatwood is a favorite for outdoor use and should be strongly considered as a must-have survival tool for any emergency situation.
You can shave Fatwood sticks into tinder and mix it with magnesium shavings, or chop it up small enough to be used for tinder (a popular size for tinder is approximately 5 or 6 inches long by about ¾ inches in diameter).
The pine resin (which makes Fatwood such a great fire starting tool) also produces pitch and tar. Pitch and tar have been used as preservatives and sealants for rope and wood. Tree resin is also used in nail polish and household cleaners such as pine oil or turpentine.
Is Fatwood Toxic?
All-natural Fatwood is not toxic. The best Fatwood (IMHO) is 100% naturally harvested from the sap-rich heartwood of the pine stump. It should never be treated or chemically enhanced in any way.
Technically speaking, any chemical produced during combustion could possibly be toxic, as well as the “toxicity” of inhaling smoke.
However, 100% all-natural fatwood is generally considered safe for indoor use in your fireplace, wood stoves, coal stoves, pellet stoves, and chimneys. You will also find it very useful for outdoor use as kindling for campfires, barbeques, and even a backyard fire pit.
What Is Fatwood Soaked In?
All-natural Fatwood is soaked in a naturally occurring resin called terpene that collects in the stumps of dead trees. Fatwood is a 100% organic, chemical-free fire starter and kindling that lets you start a fire with a single match (you can even use it to start a fire without a match, if that’s your thing).
However, some companies choose to soak their wood in very toxic and extremely volatile chemicals to help it ignite. This is likely because they are harvesting inferior pine (less sap, lower levels of terpene, etc.).
The fumes emitted from chemically treated wood can cause headaches and nausea in those exposed to it, which is why I strongly recommend against using any type of chemically treated wood indoors or in areas with bad ventilation. I’d avoid using chemically treated Fatwood in an indoor wood stove or fireplace.
What Is Fatwood Firestarter?
Fatwood Firestarter is pinewood with an extremely high concentration of the naturally occurring resin created by the pine tree. That resin is highly flammable, which is why Fatwood makes such a great fire starter.
How To Find Fatwood
The best way to find Fatwood in the wild is to look for areas where pine trees have been logged or killed by a fire. Look for ones that have old, dry stumps. These will have the most Fatwood.
The stumps should be grey and rotting, as this will have allowed time for the resin to collect. The pine tree stumps are where the resin is more concentrated and well kept. The highest concentration of fatwood is between the trunk and the roots.
How will you know if you have found it? The first clue will be the strong scent of pine in the air. Look on the surface of the stump for any noticeable pools, streaks, or beads of dried sap. You will also notice that the wood is yellow or golden in contrast to the grey wood surrounding it.
The best place to look is in a pine tree that has been dead for quite a while. This will allow the resin to rise from the roots to the stump.
You can easily pull the stump up from the ground. Then, you will want to use a hatchet to chop away all the rotten wood to uncover the Fatwood. You may want to put some lubricant on the blade because fatwood resin is very sticky. If you need to clean your blade, using a degreaser or gum remover is best.
Benefits Of Fatwood
1. Fatwood is easy to light
Fatwood is easy to light due to its high resin content, which makes it highly flammable. This characteristic allows it to ignite quickly with minimal effort, even in damp conditions, making it a preferred choice for starting fires in various settings.
2. Fatwood is water-resistant
Fatwood is a naturally water-resistant material derived from the heartwood of pine trees. Rich in resin, it retains its ability to ignite easily even when exposed to moisture, making it highly valued for starting fires in damp conditions.
3. Fatwood has a very long shelf life.
Fatwood is known for its exceptionally long shelf life. Due to its high resin content, it does not degrade easily and can be stored indefinitely without losing its effectiveness for fire starting. This makes Fatwood a reliable and durable choice for long-term storage.
4. Fatwood is easy to store
Fatwood is easy to store due to its compact size and resistance to rot and moisture. Its natural durability allows for convenient storage in various environments without special requirements, making it an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
5. Fatwood is environmentally friendly
Fatwood is considered environmentally friendly due to its sustainable sourcing from the stumps and roots of harvested pine trees. Its production does not require felling additional trees, making it a responsible choice for fire-starting material. Additionally, its natural composition and biodegradability contribute positively to its eco-friendly profile.
6. Fatwood is non-toxic
It is naturally sourced, considered safe, and non-toxic because it does not contain added chemicals or toxins. When burned, it produces a pleasant “burning pine” odor, unlike kerosene and other chemical-soaked fire starter products, which can smell like toxic chemicals.
7. Fatwood is great for cooking outdoors
Fatwood is excellent for outdoor cooking due to its natural, non-toxic properties and easy ignition. Its high resin content ensures it lights quickly and burns hot, which is ideal for efficiently starting campfires and grills. The absence of harmful chemicals makes it safe for cooking, providing a reliable and eco-friendly option for outdoor enthusiasts.
8. Fatwood makes it easy to start a fire
Fatwood simplifies the fire-starting process. Its high resin content ensures it ignites quickly and burns intensely, reducing the need for additional kindling or accelerants.
Now that you know the answer to the question “what is Fatwood“…
Check out our Fatwood For Sale article for some great deals on our highest-rated Fatwood suppliers.
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