Arnold, CA…We occasionally use Fatwood as a firestarter. It is amazing, works every time even in wet weather.

It’s only downside is that it burns really sooty. So use it sparingly unless you don’t mind doing a bit of stove pipe cleaning.

From our friends at Grok if you want a bit more depth…

“Fatwood (also called fat lighter, lighter wood, pine knot, or lighter knot) is resin-rich heartwood from pine trees. It’s a highly flammable, natural material prized as a fire starter.

en.wikipedia.org

How Fatwood FormsWhen a pine tree dies (or is cut down), the sap/resin (pitch) drains downward and concentrates in the heartwood of the stump, taproot, or branch joints. As the outer wood rots away over time, the resin-soaked core hardens into a dense, rot-resistant wood loaded with flammable terpenes (the main component of turpentine).

instructables.com

This gives fatwood its characteristic orange-to-reddish color and strong pine scent when shaved or split.paulkirtley.co.uk

paulkirtley.co.uk

Why It’s So Good for FiresExtremely flammable — Lights easily with a spark or match, even when damp.
Burns hot — Produces a strong, sustained flame that resists wind.
Natural and non-toxic — 100% pine wood + resin; no chemicals added.

news.orvis.com

It’s one of the best natural tinders/kindling for campfires, fireplaces, wood stoves, or survival situations.amazon.com

greenesfence.com

How to Find and Use ItLook in old pine stumps (especially longleaf pine in the southeastern U.S.), roots, or where branches met the trunk.
Harvest by splitting the hard, resin-heavy core.
Use by shaving thin curls for tinder or splitting small sticks for kindling.

It’s also used industrially to produce turpentine and pine tar.

en.wikipedia.org

In short, fatwood is nature’s premium fire starter—reliable, effective, and completely natural.”

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