Pine Sap Glue (Video)

 

Pine resin (also called pine pitch) is an amazing substance.  It is hardened sap that pine trees secrete when they are cut or damaged.  In another article, I explain how to use pine resin to make a candle or torch. 

Today I want to discuss another important use for pine sap.

 

What is Pine Sap?

When a pine tree suffers a cut, it secretes sap to seal the wound.  Pine sap is mildly antiseptic and helps keep the damaged part of the tree free from infection.  The sticky sap also traps insects that try to take advantage of cuts to invade the tree.

You can use the amber, brown, or yellow sap to help make tools.  Since Neolithic times pine sap has been used to make glue sticks.  And when I say glue sticks, I mean sticks of thermoplastic you can use to glue things together!

Let me define some terms so we can understand exactly what this is.

When pine sap dries it becomes a hard resin.  The resin can be made into a polymer that is a thermoplastic.

 

• Resin – a sticky flammable solid or highly viscous organic substance that can be made into polymers.

 

• Polymer – A chemical compound made of small molecules arranged in a repeating structure to form larger molecules.  When I think polymers, I think “plastics!”

 

• Thermoplastic – A polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature and then solidifies upon cooling.

 

It blows my mind that our ancient ancestors had access to thermoplastic, which we consider a “modern” material. 

 

A Sappy Story

I came across a nice video that shows how to make glue sticks from pine sap.  The video is for bow hunters who want to make traditional arrows.  But the method works for any application of the glue.  

Making glue sticks is a great afternoon project when you have access to pine sap and can build a fire safely and legally.  Take a look at the video and tell me what you think in the comments section below.

 

 

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