Natural Process
The science of how fatwood evolves includes complicated study of Archaeology and even Paleontology, among others. The study of decomposition is referred to as taphonomy. When a tree falls or is cut the remains are subject to normal atmospheric conditions and decay. Pine resin is resistant to decay and will begin to solidify. Why one stump might decay and another close by becomes fatwood can be as simple as the acidity of the ground, time of year each tree fell or was cut, and even the condition of the tree while it was living, along with the amount of sap thus resins and terpine in the trees. Certain times of the year (peak growth season) the sap flows more heavily and a tree consumes more carbon dioxide so more is stored in the tree. Decomposition of dead wood releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. When a tree is cut and the sap flows it is referred to as bleeding and is a natural defense of a tree against damage. A bleeding process is common when harvesting sap from a living tree. The resin of a cut or fallen tree begins to harden and this will have a natural effect of sealing the "wound" thus preventing exudation. A fallen tree will be more subject to the environment, because of uninhibited microbial colonization and attacks, as well as natural water leeching, the outer layers will decay and even faster when subjected to insects, resulting in eluviation. A time line may be accelerated in hot weather but a tree stump, becoming a sort of vessel now being sealed by the resin, will not bleed as much and results in a natural preservation. The natural process of decaying leads to chemical decomposition. The heart of a pine tree, including roots and stumps, that have become fatwood is combustible.
Fatwood is scar tissue of a damaged or injured pine tree. A lightning strike will scar a tree sometimes top to bottom without necessarily killing the tree. The result scar of burnt bark will "scar" over with resin. Once harden, the wood and bark around the area becomes rich with the flammable harden resin. High winds breaking limbs, or violently twisting the tree, will also open "wound" in the tree bark. Again, resin will harden forming "scar" tissue rich in fatwood. Hard yellowish resin can be found around the wound area. This can then be scraped off and used as a fire starter.
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