Tree sap is the liquid gold of the forest. But the golden natural product causes trouble for drivers and pet owners. The properties of resin make it a feared yet beloved substance. Its possible uses are extremely versatile.

A remedy for some, a stain-causing agent for others

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. What is tree sap?
  3. remove resin
  4. use
  5. frequently asked Questions

    6. the essentials in brief

    • Tree resin is primarily used by the tree to close wounds quickly and thus protect itself from infections.
    • Tree sap stains can be removed by liquefying (e.g. with a heat gun) or diluting.
    • Tree resin can best be removed from clothing, hair and the like with oily agents such as butter, cooking oil or cream.

    What is tree sap?

    Resin is a metabolic product of various trees, which consists of the ingredients colophony and turpentine. If the bark of a tree is injured, it increases the production of the natural substance. The viscous and sticky mass emerges from the resin canals that run through the entire tree. They seal the wound by drying and hardening in the air. The essential oils evaporate. The smell, consistency and color of tree resin differ depending on the tree species.

    • tropical tree resin: elemi, copal
    • East Indian tree resin: Dammar
    • fossil tree resin: amber

    digression

    Fossil and recent resin

    The resin that trees still exude today is called recent resin. In contrast, fossil resin is known as amber. An amber found in a mine in Myanmar is said to be more than 99 million years old. It contains around 40 different species of land and sea creatures.

    Mites, centipedes, flies and spiders were preserved for eternity, but the researchers found a sensation. In addition to four shells of smaller sea snails, the tree sap has trapped an ammonite. This amber is the only specimen with a fossil cephalopod from the sea.

    Resin traps insects for eternity

    remove resin

    It is annoying when there is resin in clothing, in the fur of dogs and cats, or on wood. The sticky mass is usually difficult to remove from jeans, tents or skin. There are various ways to remove unsightly residue from tiles or the saw blade. Various tree sap removers such as Sonax are commercially available, but the sticky mass can usually be removed easily with home remedies.

    medium application
    from hair butter rub and rinse
    from car paint door lock deicer containing alcohol dab gently
    from clothes cooking oil Rub in and then wash
    by hands nourishing baby oil Rub gently and rinse off
    from dog fur Ballistol Spray on and wipe off with a cloth
    from the parquet Nivea cream wipe gently with a rag
    from the plastic Cola, lemon juice Soak stain and wipe off

    Properties of resin

    Natural resin is not water soluble and therefore cannot be removed with pure water. It solidifies at normal temperatures and becomes liquid again when warm. Tree resin dissolves in both fat and alcohol.

    If you want to remove oil stains from textiles, you must then wash out the grease stains. Grease is easier to remove at high temperatures above 60 degrees, so only suitable clothing should be cleaned in this way. You can also use warm water to remove resin stains from the paintwork of the car or from the car window.

    These agents are suitable for removing stains

    • Liquefy: warm water or heat gun
    • Dilute: Universal thinner, non-acetone nail polish remover, shaving cream
    • Solve: Edible oil, penetrating oil, Ballistol, alcohol

    What to do if resin has burned into the car paint?

    Many motorists are negatively familiar with tree sap because the sticky substance is difficult to get off the car or the window. The natural product is not harmful to the paint. The longer the resin stays on the paint, the more the natural substance hardens and makes cleaning all the more difficult.

    Burnt-in resin can be removed with a white spirit. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the liquid and blot the area. Let the agent soak in and then work on the resin stain with the soft cloth. Gradually the resin is removed. This method leaves no residue and is gentle on the paint.

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    What can you do with tree sap?

    The natural product is used for a variety of purposes. Rosin is the most well-known resin product derived from the saps of spruce and pine. It is used to treat the bow hairs that are stretched on violin bows. Rosin is also used as an adhesive for sticking plasters. In the 15th century, resin was used as a binder for color pigments. Such oil-resin paints are still popular today and are preferably used for paintwork. In Greece, the resin of the Aleppo pine is used to flavor a wine that has come to be known as Retsina.

    Tree resin is a well-known substance that is not only used as an adhesive.

    Buy tree sap

    Tree sap is available as a solid product or a liquid product. When buying, pay attention to organic quality, because as a natural product, pure tree resin is free of additives. To get liquid tree resin, you can gently heat the pieces of resin. The essential oil of the resin is extracted by steam distillation.

    tips

    You don't necessarily have to buy resin. Go into the forest and look for resin beads on coniferous trees. These can easily be further processed.

    chewing gum

    People have been chewing on tree resin since the Stone Age. It was popular with both the ancient Egyptians and Native Americans. The Maya chewed dried resin from the pulp apple tree, also known as the gum tree. Many forest workers know spruce resin as gum, which has a long tradition among lumberjacks.

    If you want to test the natural chewing gum on a walk in the woods, you should look out for fresh spruce resin. Press it with your finger. It should be neither too firm nor too soft. It is ideal when the resin shimmers reddish-gold. Allow a small chunk to soften in your mouth before chewing. After a while it will feel like regular chewing gum.

    Natural chewing gum from around the world:

    • Siberian cedar resin chewing gum
    • Swedish Tugg-Kåda made of spruce resin
    • Alpine gum made from pine resin, birch sugar and beeswax

    make your own salve

    Tree resin is also often used for ointments

    The resin ointment has numerous positive properties. It has an antibacterial and antiviral effect and is used to disinfect wounds. The so-called pitch ointment promotes blood circulation, relieves pain and warms cold feet. It is used to relieve muscle tension and extract splinters.

    If you want to collect resin yourself, you should only harvest as much as you need. In order not to stress the tree unnecessarily, only the resin beads are collected. A wooden scraper makes collecting easier and prevents the resin from sticking to your hands. Always leave some resin behind so the wound in the bark stays closed and doesn't start bleeding again.

    For further processing, you should use a fireproof container that can get dirty. Resin residues often remain. To clean the resin, put the nuggets in a tea strainer or cotton bag. Heat the resin to melt it. It liquifies and flows through the screen while residue is filtered out.

    Recipe:

    1. Slowly heat 30 grams of resin with 100 milliliters of olive oil and two tablespoons of marigold blossoms
    2. Leave for 60 minutes and remove the filter
    3. Strain oil through a sieve
    4. Reheat the liquid and melt 13 grams of beeswax in it
    5. let cool while stirring
    6. fill in cans

    fumigation

    Pure tree resin can be effectively smoked on a charcoal. The charcoal is lit and placed on a fireproof bowl. The resin fills the room with its ethereal scents. Once the resin has hardened completely, you can finely grind it and smoke it in a incense sieve. This is previously covered with a layer of sand.

    tips

    You can also use aluminum foil and a warmer. Place the aluminum foil on the warmer and place a tea light underneath.

    frequently asked Questions

    How long does homemade resin ointment last?

    Resin has preservative ingredients. Its antibacterial properties also ensure that the ointment does not spoil. A homemade cream has a shelf life of at least twelve months and can be kept refrigerated for longer.

    What are the areas of application of propolis tree resin ointment?

    The cream is a mild care for heavily stressed or sensitive skin. The caring ingredients protect dry skin from excessive water loss. Rough, cracked and brittle or scaly skin becomes softer and more elastic due to the greasy film. Due to the antibacterial and disinfecting properties, the ointment can also be used to close wounds. It is painless and promotes wound healing.

    Is resin edible?

    Tree sap has been used as a natural chewing gum for thousands of years. It is used for dental care because it disinfects, keeps teeth white and promotes healthy and strong gums. However, you shouldn't eat it. The taste of the different tree resins is perceived very differently. If you want to taste tree sap yourself, you should use the smell as a guide and see if you are comfortable with it. The reddish-gold shimmering resin that is neither too liquid nor fully hardened is suitable as chewing gum.

    Can you make jewelry out of tree resin?

    Tree sap liquefies when heated and can then be poured into molds or sculpted by hand. However, it retains its sticky properties after cooling and becomes soft again with body heat. Synthetic resin is better suited for jewelry making. The casting resin, which can be poured into silicone molds, is popular.

    Is tree sap toxic to cats?

    Resin is rich in essential oils, which are irritating in high doses. Therefore, tree sap is sometimes classified as toxic to cats. So don't let your four-legged friend scratch and gnaw on the Christmas tree. If resin sticks to your pets' fur, you can simply wash away the residue with oil.

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Trees