A story of burning pitch sometiems called lighter
Mar 19, 2009 20:12:30 GMT -5
Post by ozark on Mar 19, 2009 20:12:30 GMT -5
Some times a dead pine tree develops into pitch or what some calls lighter. Split into thin pieces and wired together these were used as torche for entering into caves or placing at the bow of boats providing light to spear fish during nighttime. They are so reich in pitch that a tar like substance drips off the burning end and these drippings were used to plug leaks in wooden boats. In chunks they make a very hot fire that emits black smoke and smells strong of terpenting.
My brother used to gather this stuff in Arkanas and haul it back to Oklahoma to start fires in his fireplace. You would be hard pressec to beat it as a fire starter in the woods or elsewhere. The neighbor liked the idea and had my brother bring him a pickup load to use in a wood heating stove. A little pitch is a good thing, a lot can get out of hand quickly. This neighbor wante a good fire quick and filled his stove up with pitch. Soon he had an inferno in progress and the stove was buldging and trying to walk on the floor while at the same time reaching the point of melting down. They called the fire department and with the their help saved the house but much damage was caused by water damage. I don't know why some pine stumps or lightening struck trees turns to pitch and some just quickly rot. Hanging moss found on south slopes from cedar is another good source for starting and don't forget Patrolumn Jelly. It is great for getting a fire started. We used to spend a nigh fishing on Buffalo river and around midnight would get some sleep. Normally we would find a big drift of logs and stuff and set it on fire in the morning and it would burn all day heating he earth underneath. Af bedtime we would rake all the ashes away to expose the bear earth and place our quilts down on that. THe warm earth would keep us snug until about daybreak and then it was time for coffee, bacon, and fried potatoes. Sorry, I am rambling again.
My brother used to gather this stuff in Arkanas and haul it back to Oklahoma to start fires in his fireplace. You would be hard pressec to beat it as a fire starter in the woods or elsewhere. The neighbor liked the idea and had my brother bring him a pickup load to use in a wood heating stove. A little pitch is a good thing, a lot can get out of hand quickly. This neighbor wante a good fire quick and filled his stove up with pitch. Soon he had an inferno in progress and the stove was buldging and trying to walk on the floor while at the same time reaching the point of melting down. They called the fire department and with the their help saved the house but much damage was caused by water damage. I don't know why some pine stumps or lightening struck trees turns to pitch and some just quickly rot. Hanging moss found on south slopes from cedar is another good source for starting and don't forget Patrolumn Jelly. It is great for getting a fire started. We used to spend a nigh fishing on Buffalo river and around midnight would get some sleep. Normally we would find a big drift of logs and stuff and set it on fire in the morning and it would burn all day heating he earth underneath. Af bedtime we would rake all the ashes away to expose the bear earth and place our quilts down on that. THe warm earth would keep us snug until about daybreak and then it was time for coffee, bacon, and fried potatoes. Sorry, I am rambling again.
