Pine pitch protects the tree from disease and heals wounds on the tree, which in turn is what it can do for you. It is antimicrobial/fungal/bacterial, making it great in salves/balms for things like minor cuts, skin ailments, and more. When you cut a tree, it basically bleeds sap. If left alone, the sap dries to a sticky pitch then to a hard resin, creating a hard protective layer in place of the bark as the tree heals itself. Never take more than half from a tree. If you take too much, you could be leaving that tree vulnerable to pests and disease.

Plant/Tree diseases can spread like human diseases, and after this past year I think we can all get a picture of what that looks like without me having to explain further.

Don’t knowingly weaken a tree to the point of putting the trees at risk. Never take more than you need and if there isn’t enough for what you want, don’t force it. Waiting may take longer, but if you ultimately kill the tree, you will never have it as a source again.

Gather your pitch in a plastic bag which you can pop in the fridge, and then peel the bag away from your pitch. You will need an old butter knife or something similar to pry it off the tree in some cases. It isn’t always the easiest thing to get off. Since the pitch is healing the tree, only take the top layer.

Pitch is really sticky, so use olive oil, or similar, to dissolve the sticky residue on your hands and tools, then wash oil off with soap and hot water. You can wear disposable gloves when collecting pitch to keep from getting sticky. You can use alcohol to remove from clothing, but some scrubbing will be required. It’s best to wear old clothes when collecting or working with pitch to prevent the need for all that scrubbing.

After you have collected your pine pitch, you can put it directly into oil, and apply low heat for a good while, so it infuses into the oil, which can then be used for balms and salves. A warm window during the summer, or a seed heating pad during the winter will work just fine, but you could also do this on a stove top in a double boiler if you do not want to wait weeks. Just be careful when putting heat to pitch. It is flammable because of the turpentine in it, and you do not want it catching fire.

Pine pitch is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial, and helps the healing process of minor wounds, draws out splinters, and soothes skin ailments.

Pine pitch can also be used for:
-glue
-waterproofing
-treating wounds
-treating skin rashes/sunburn
-fire starter
-torches/candles
-feet protection/improvised sandals
-draw out splinters

To make pitch from liquid pine sap you need to evaporate the water/turpentine out of it in a double boiler, but be careful. Pine sap is extremely flammable, as is pitch. Resin is not as flammable but care would still need to be used when heating it. You can dip a stick in your sap, run under water, and touch to your fingernail. You want it to be firm, but with a little give.

While still warm/hot and liquid, you can smear pitch on backpacks, tents, clothing, etc. to waterproof them. Once cooled off to a bearable heat, you can smear it on the bottom of your feet it you do not have shoes for whatever reason to make improvised sandals. Place directly on minor wounds once cooled to help prevent infection, and even draw out splinters!

I hope that through this series you are realizing how amazing nature is. In our current modern age, many people are out of touch with nature, and have no clue that we do not need the modern stuff we have now. They may make life easier, yes, but they are not necessary, and are not sustainable in a SHTF scenario.