Old downed pine trees are a great source for fatwood that is found where the branch emerges from the trunk and when the outer wood is removed it reveals the darker hardened resin that resides at the core.

As an alternative, many major grocery or big box stores carry fatwood fire starters next to the charcoal and briquettes where barbecue supplies are displayed. This would be a convenient resource for experimentation to gain experience of fatwood properties.

As I pursued experimenting with fatwood for cooking I learned that it is best to be conducted in a wind-free environment. I soon discovered that it needed a thicker/wider piece than shown in the photo. I tried to make a fuzz stick at one end but the material was too brittle and wouldn’t hold a curl, so I took another approach by laying the stick on it’s side, then taking the tip of my knife and plunged down to split the end several times, creating a small fringe. That worked well to lite and sustained the flame while heating up my cup. My cup was hand-held to maintain a constant distance above the flame as the fatwood was consumed and shortened in the process.

The cook-time is limited but a small packet of instant coffee added or just hot water can be very satisfying. One negative side effect is that the resin is very smokey and coats the bottom of the vessel that you cook in.

I have been watching some social media videos regarding how to find fatwood. Fatwood is the resinous portion found in old softwoods like pine. Some folks who live in pine forests often find old stumps or fallen tree trunks that have rotted, leaving remains of the stubby limbs where they attach to the trunk. This is where to look for the resin that has gathered within the tree.

 
The challenge that I face is that I live in a hardwood forest area and there are few pines. I ventured out to see if I could find a fallen pine tree or stump and I finally found one. I used my hatchet to cut away at the base of a limb and saw the dark sort of transparent layers of fatwood. I removed the wood and shaved it down. I split off a piece to test for burning and was delighted to see the smokey, bubbling flame that fatwood produces.

 
 
I will continue to look for larger pieces but even small pieces can be helpful to maintain a flame when wind and moisture would compromise regular tinder when making a campfire.