Fat Wood

[flyfish57]

I came upon a rotting pine tree while cleaning up some.  I was going to burn it.  But when I tried to pick it up it weighed a ton.  After further investigation the core wood is all fat wood about 300 pounds of it.  I cut it up into pieces 16" long and started splitting it.  Then I thought it might be better not to split it.
So my question is, what should do with it and how do I store it so that it will last many years to come?
Thank you,
James's

[OH logger]

I'm a dumb northerner surrounded by hardwood so i'll bite; what is fatwood??  ???

[coxy]

I'm a dumb northerner surrounded by hardwood so i'll bite; what is fatwood??  ???

:D :D x2

[Wallys World]

Fatwood is the center of the tree where the pitch is very concentrated. It will almost "explode" when lit. One piece is all you need. As far as storing it keep it in a uncovered box in a dry area. It should last for a long time. Just make sure to let it dry out after splitting it.

[bluthum]

If you stack it up outside with no cover it  may rot beyond use in maybe 100 years.

[flyfish57]

Thanks Wally.  I copied Wikipedia definition but internet was down and could post.
Here's what Wikipedia says.  Fatwood, also known as "fat lighter," "lighter wood," "rich lighter," "pine knot," "lighter knot," "heart pine" or "lighter'd" [sic], is derived from the heartwood of pine trees. This resin-impregnated heartwood becomes hard and rot-resistant.
Fatwood - Wikipedia
Wikipedia › wiki › Fatwood

So should I go ahead and split it all or leave the rest in the 16" logs.  Again thanks for the info.   I've never found any before I've always bought it.   I never knew it could come in such a big piece.
Again thanks,
James

[petefrom bearswamp]

Years ago Herters sold small bundles of what they called "Georgia fatwood to be used for fire starter.
Their catalog used to be fun to read.
Some of the eastern white pine here has roughly the same characteristic

[btulloh]

Every fire I ever started was started with that stuff.  I'd hate to be without it.  I split it into pieces about the size of a carpenters pencil and use 4 pieces.  I never used it as a big long piece, so maybe that is ok, but keep in mind that it is not good for the chimney.  If it's knotty and doesn't like to split I just mash it up with the log splitter.  I rarely use paper, except maybe a little to act as a fuse.  You can ignite the end of a small piece and then stick it in the middle and off you go. 

[thecfarm]

this is what is sold at the hardware store that I work at.

fatwood

[Ox]

I've seen that in red pine, white pine and hemlock.  The knots are good for this too.  Anyplace where the sap/resin/pitch settles makes for good firestarter.

[flyfish57]

Thank everyone for the replies.  I guess what I found will last a long long time.
Hope everyone has a great week an a Happy Easter.
Take care,
James

[Wudman]

Leave it in block form until you need it.  A few freshly spit pieces about 6-8 inches long is all you need.  You can light a piece with a match and it will burn by itself.  I have a tree here on the farm that has been down my entire life (50 years at least) and is still as solid as a rock.  It is a shortleaf pine.  Since I just added a wood furnace, I think I'll retrieve it now.

Wudman

[caveman]

I cut noodles out of longleaf or slash lightered wood, store it in a plastic coffee can and keep it on the JD Gator.  It offers the opportunity to start an almost instant, one match fire.  Of course now in our part of the world, it is so dry the dirt seems flammable.

[florida]

I've got rounds of lighter pine all over the place. Sad thing is I don't have a fireplace anymore! Still, splitting out lighter sticks is peaceful work. Very satisfying.
But, do not burn the logs in your fireplace or stove. It will creosote your chimney like you painted it on and will burn so hot you'll have a chimney fire.