Back in the good ol' days, literally every part of everything was used, and often in very ingenious ways.

When a pine tree was felled for lumber, it would leave a stump behind, which could then be used to create two of the most useful resources available to people in the working class back in the day: charcoal and tar.

Charcoal, while used today primarily for barbecues and backyard grills, was essential in blacksmithing, a profession that is seeing a resurgence today.

As for pine oil or tar, it served some purposes from being an ingredient in paints, stains, disinfectants, and soaps to being an essential additive in cordage. It is an excellent finisher for woods, and many homesteaders are learning this again today as they refine this material for themselves to use around their property.

Learn how to refine your own pine oil on the next page.

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