Burning Wood To Brew Wood To Preserve Wood : Pine Tar

Pine tar is a traditional wood preservative made by pyrolyzing resin-rich 'fatwood' from dead pines in a low-oxygen retort. The process involves filling a sealed bucket with fatwood, surrounding it with burning wood, and collecting the condensed tar in a buried bucket below. The resulting pine tar is mixed 50:50 with linseed oil to create a penetrating wood finish that repels moisture and resists fungi. The same pine resin can also be combined with oil and beeswax to make an antiseptic skin salve. The process is closely related to charcoal and woodgas production, sharing the same pyrolysis principle.