Well, My previous post was about the sap from a Pine Tree and it's value to a survival situation. I did however fail to mention that the tree itself can also be important! So Let's go ahead and list a few ways to use the tree itself; other than to get the sap and use that. Haha!
Medicinal
- The inner side of the bark can be skinned away from the rough exterior to fashion an antiseptic bandage.
- The main ingredient in Tamiflu (shikimic acid) is produced and stored in certain types pine needles, so this can be stewed into a pine needle tea to make a nice woodsy tasting flu and cold remedy.
- The pollen may be used to supplement energy and give a small boost if you're down and need to move with a purpose.
- The bark of the pine tree may be used as shingles for a sturdy roof
- The pine needles themselves may serve as a comfy insulation bedding under your awesome bark roof
- You might also like to fashion a roof out of the whole branch with the needles still intact. I would highly recommend layering these if this is your choice.
- You can use pine branches to build a nice bed with also!
- Obviously the wood can be used for firewood!
- Dried pine needles can serve as tinder.
- Once again the sap may be used as a firestarter and extender.
- Green needles can be gathered for use in a signal fire to produce smoke.
Food
The inner bark of a pine tree is also edible! I mean it's wood, but if it's all you got you might as well get something in your belly!
Shelter
Fire
Conclusion
So here are a few uses for a pine tree in a survival situation. This is basically an all around good tree to have in the neighborhood. Or should I say the neighborwood. Haha, that was corny. Anyway, I hope you keep this one around as well and keep on surviving. Whether it be day to day or out in the wilderness! Thank you.