Making Oil From Birch Bark

This is a description on how to make Birch Bark Oil from......Birch Bark. I show how to harvest the bark and how and what to do to make the oil. At the end is a few tips for uses of this remarkable natural oil.

[@beru58]

The high oil content in birch bark is why it is used instead of tar paper even today. One interesting application is where masonry meets carpentry. Say where the stone walls of a cathedral marry with the timber roof trusses. A layer of bich bark is used there as an insulating interface. Or a traditionally built wooden bridge where the wooden beams meet the stone foundation. Even today when they renovate such structures they opt for birch bark intead of more modern alternatives. Amazing how our forefathers figured out that for this application you should use this but for that application use more favourably that. You are doing a wonderful job in keeping such traditions alive and even improving on them.

[@johnruckman2320]

You van prevent the lid from coming off by putting the hole in the lid and turn it upside down. You also don't want the fire to get too hot.

[@saraskold9631]

it in its thick state was used on ship hulls

[@bsdiceman]

Thank you! Any recommendations for across fetching videos?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I'm sorry but I do not understand the question.

[@greyowl9952]

I made my 1st batch and now all I need is a place to finish making more. Smells like it burnt but it works. Now all I need is to find out how I store it throw out the year's? 🦉

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I still have some of this oil that I produced years ago in this video. I store it in glass jars and it is still perfectly fine. I use it both in my homemade leather dressing as well as use it as an anti-rust coating for my carbon steel knives that I carry.

[@stacyschewalje5704]

Thanks

[@max_fjellstorm]

I’ve done the same but my oil is very thick. Is that because of the heat of the fire ? Do you have an idea?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

If your oil is thicker than normal then i would guess that you left yours in the fire for longer than needed. Next time maybe try ending the heat source sooner an see if that helps.

[@max_fjellstorm]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival how long would you recommend? I had it in about 2,5 hours

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I burn my fires for no longer than two hours as I said in the video. That is plenty and I could probably get away with even less.

[@aarondavenport2680]

what did you put in the tin with the birch bark? Just water or are you basically turning it into charcoal or something?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I put nothing in the can other than birch bark. The process heats the bark hot enough that the oil is driven out of the bark and runs down the can and collects in the bottom of the bark can to drip through the hole in the bottom of the can into the collection can below.

[@Silvermeow]

What about it being a good oil for knives or guns

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I personally use the birch bark oil on my carbon steel knives to protect them from oxidation.

[@gregscountrycabinoutdoors7359]

I just watched this video last nite, How do you use it for psoriasis?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

If it was me, I would just rub it on, or make a salve by mixing with olive oil and bees wax.

[@gregscountrycabinoutdoors7359]

Thank you, does it just relieve the itch? or does it help to clear it up? I am not one to choose drugs, when I can make something that works just as well. I understand it isn't something that there is a cure for.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I couldn't tell you since I have only used it on wounds personally. Something you may be interested in is colloidal silver. I did a video on how to make very high quality colloidal silver yourself for very very little money once the generator is made. The generator is fairly simple as well. Do a google search using this term (psoriasis site:thesilveredge.com). Yes this man does sell his own brand of generator so he stands to gain by making exaggerated claims BUT, he doesn't make exaggerated claims and he backs up everything he says with scientific studies done by others. My colloidal silver generator video can be found at the link below. Make Your Own Colloidal Silver For Survivalists and Preppers kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2KVqJSLbd2mjZo

[@gregscountrycabinoutdoors7359]

Thank you.

[@kan-zee]

You forgot to poke a hole on the Top to let the Gases escape..lol Next time eh ?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Kanzee Since the oil is extracted by a crude distillation process, I believe that a hole in the top might be counter productive.

[@Dutch_Prepper]

Hmmmm ..... So... Birch bark oil comes from birches ... Sunflower oil from sunflowers ... Olive oil from olives , etc... etc.... I just tried to find a video to learn how they make Baby oil , but couldn't find any... It's probably too gruesome I guess ... ;o)

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Martin lololol, you are bad. :o)

[@powerisgreat302]

Martin LOL I died reading that

[@chronicawareness9986]

+Dutch Prepper baby oil is made in china from the bad babies no one wants

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Christopher Sanch lol oh that is bad :o). Actually it is all too close to the truth. We have some neighbors who adopted a tiny little baby chinese girl. They went to China to get her. She is now graduated from High school and is going to college. Very pretty lady and very intelligent as well she's a very special person. They are killing babies there in China by the thousands.

[@Dutch_Prepper]

+Far North Bushcraft And Survival -- Coincidentally , just last month, China announced to phase out their "one child policy". Let's hope things will change over there.

[@MaciekLenczuk]

Great video as always, what I like the most is that you show how to make stuff on ur own not just buy it prepared. This is what i called real bushcraft, not gearcraft like you can see in many others YT channels. Keep up great work, greetings from Poland

[@bradleycampbell5933]

clean steel gallon cans with lids can be found at any automotive paint stores. in pints,quarts and gallon sizes with lids. clean steel with no liners

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Bradley Campbell That's a good tip. Thanks

[@bradleycampbell5933]

very welcome. i appreciate your videos, you seem like a very laid back guy and i enjoy the way you share the knowledge.

[@shadowbanned4149]

Okay Son I'm on my way ?

[@Zanzubaa]

This could be used to produce Pine tar (turpentine) also. the method has been used on a larger scale to produce the turpentine for use on ship hulls, fences and such. The byproduct is charcoal. If used on Bitch bark I guess you end up with some pretty useful tinder cloth like material.

[@galespressos]

Sounds interesting. Haven’t tried yet.

[@chainsawlady]

good for skin conditions - excema, psoriasis ,lubricant, glue - thanks for the tips

[@bridgettebrown6689]

Great video. You have a way of teaching that is calm and patient. Cute pup too

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Bridgette Brown Thank you Bridgette. Me and my "cute pup" enjoy sharing this stuff with you as well as others.

[@plciferpffer3048]

I just wanted to know if you could use bark from dead trees. And that information was the first I got. Haha. Nice. Thanks.

[@LOUDsigh]

technically the tree he used was fallen, not dead

[@sambulate]

Thanks for this, Lonnie. Some time ago, I watched a video by KZbin's MCQBushcraft in which he explained that he carried rendered goose fat to protect his knives from rust, for leather preservative, etc. However, he's in the UK and doesn't have to worry much about scent or predators. Since then, I've wondered about a North American alternative, and here we have one!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes I use my birch bark oil for both of those uses that you mentioned. For a leather preservative however, I add the BB oil to Neets foot oil, beeswax and caribou tallow.

[@sambulate]

There isn't enough scent from the caribou tallow to attract animals? Also, I've heard of "fixin' wax," but I think your mixture sounds like it has different ingredients. And while I (sort of) hate to add to what must be a growing list of future videos for you to do, maybe you could do one about your leather preservative? I did a quick search on your channel, but didn't find one. I'd love to learn more about how you do that--what kinds of leather you use it on, ratios of ingredients, how it's mixed, etc. Keep up the awesome work, and Merry Christmas to you and Connie and that Big Black Bear of a dog of yours!

[@humbllbug]

Love your videos, love the beard and love Buck the dog! Keep putting this knowledge out there, I soak it up like a sponge!

[@lysfrommarple]

I enjoy your videos, you talk just the right amount and are honest when things don't go to plan.I didn't know about birch oil. I suppose most cans are plastic lined nowadays?

[@akwildernes]

Great video, funny, there I was on a prephappy site, watching videos on lamps, and number 7 was you!! After watching that, I followed the youtube link to find the how to on oil collection. Thank you sir...see you sunday and Merry Christmas if I miss you

[@icommandoi145]

birch oil and peanut butter sandwich. Tasty.

[@mmarnp1]

would a pressure cooker work? Also, the betulin that is an active ingredient in birch bark and Chaga, is being studied actively as a very powerful anti-cancer agent. How pure do you think is the oil that you have? I have cancer and so I am curious...

[@1959jimbob]

Lonnie, I realize this is an older video, but I just now was able to watch it. THANK YOU for demonstrating and teaching how to do this. We are covered by Birch here where I live, and the highway department just cuts them down and grinds them up. Plus, we have a lot of wind storms, and there are always tons and tons of blow downs. Getting bark will not be a problem. Now I have just learned me another useful skill. Thank you for doing these, I, for one, am eternally grateful to you and your lovely wife for all the work you have done to teach us.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I use my birch bark oil as an ingredient in my DIY leather dressing/preservative. I also use the oil as a protectant for my carbon steel knives. I also have heard that it is one ingredient among two that is used in Siberia for an insect repellent. I have tried it by itself and the mosquitoes here were not the least bit impressed. Good luck with your oil extraction if you try it.

[@anoldmaninthewoods2548]

If there are Birch trees in Juneau, I haven't found them and I've lived here for 20 years.

[@BeeOutdoors]

Awesome video pal I’ll be trying this on my Chanel, loads of birch in the uk where I live 👍👍

[@rangerjones670]

I first saw birch oil yesterday in a Russian documentary on siberian woodsmen/hunters. One guy uses it as mosquito repel and another made tar to cure his dug out canoe. Had to learn how to make!

[@tiffanybriley6256]

Pretty good use of a empty Tin!

[@sebasjung7201]

great thanks you angels show humanity the way out of capitalist hell into paradise thanks

[@jeredsyn1964]

Man you have all kinds of tricks. Kind of reminds me of making char cloth. It's a shame you get so little for your effort but if you don't have anything else going on what the hell, sit back and relax, have some coffee and lunch, take a nap and before you know it old Jed's a millionaire. I've been checking out videos on tapping the birch trees which is how I came across this one. We don't have birch trees nearly that big here in NJ but I have a hunch where I can find a bunch of them so we'll see what happens. Video well done, have a good day. Mike

[@martinhafner2201]

Thanks for the full explanation on birch oil. I wasn't quite sure what it was. We don't have a lot of birch in Arizona and those are pretty much water birch, which may or may not produce a good oil. So I may have to buy the oil or find a substitute bark if one is available nearby. I'll see if any of the local tribes have bark related traditions.

[@kingsoutdoors4379]

As usual , Great knowledge .. Thank You My Friend.

[@mgtowanonymous3120]

Been lookin for a how to "maintain knives in the bush video" guess this is the answer I have search for ...

[@kevinobrien6714]

Looks like a Boy Scout popcorn tin. Nice.

[@virginiacopeland108]

I'll make some of this oil. Thanks for the info, Clark

[@Korpen_1979]

Thank you for a great video 👍 Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@PYE172]

yes good video . your videos are the best . you know what your talking abount. and you put it over very good on the videos

[@TonchyShultz]

Interesting &vGreat video as always from you ..it`s good to know..Thx for sharing! Greeting from western Canada! :-)

[@amaliarodriguez432]

Muy bueno el vídeo

[@kwodell8694]

Would birch oil be good to waterproof leather, as in moccasins?

[@katiekaos629]

I love this!! thank you for sharing this with us. I have been infusing calendula for my eczema but I need to try this

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Katie Kaos You are welcome Katie. I do not have eczema so don't personally know about this but have you considered or tried Colloidal silver? I have read that it may be helpful. Good luck with your quest for health.

[@RS-nh9gu]

Amazing Lonnie. Thanks for sharing and teaching us.

[@smokepole14]

So basically your treating it like you make char cloth? Except the hole is on the bottom so it drains and you don’t want the gases to escape?? I learned something from this! Good video Lonnie I appreciate how you home make things and not buy. Without you that’s lost knowledge forever gone. The thing about knowledge is I can carry as heavy load as I want. It doesn’t weigh anything!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes your understanding of the video is correct.

[@williamwhite9481]

Could this be used for oil lamps? I'm trying to find some alternatives I could make in the wild but so far my only option is fat, only problem with fat is it turns solid as it cools

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

This does "wick" but tends to burn dirty. See the video below for a bushcrafted lamp that I did. Primitive Birch Bark Oil Lamp kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJPXfqB6hqegirM

[@TheAgentOfTruth]

Another good one. Thank you!

[@BerserkerGang2019]

Really liked your video. Ive tried this process on my channel with 5 different variations.never with such good results. Sonce i represent the viking age with my crafts i do on my channel, birchtree tar is essential for many things. Happy new year

[@sarachadd178]

Really appreciate your video, so many thanks to you for helping us retrieve old knowledge. Many thanks for your work and for teaching us a really useful skill. Is the wood preservative aspect from the oil stage or the tar stage?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

The thinner oil will penetrate wood easier than thicker tar

[@EvertfromNederland]

First time seeing this video. it's an old one. I imagine one can harvest spruse pitch / pine resin the same kind of way? Just stuff the paint can with fatwood. You think this might work? Also. If you turn the can around and poke the hole in the lid of the can and have the bottom sticking up, I don't think you'll have the problem of the lid comming off.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes if your wood was fatwood rich in resin then this method would extract much of that.

[@jeromebullard6123]

A paint can with a tiny hole at the bottom and a sealed lid would certainly “pop” with mildly explosive results. I speak from experience.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

My experience has been different than yours. A paint can has proven excellent. I may have had several holes in the bottom though but don't recall now.

[@eqlzr2]

Three things: It's funny what turns out to be of extreme interest to people in youtube videos--probably a little bit different for everyone, but for me it was you slicing/peeling off the birchbark from the log. I don't recall seeing a close-up specific demo/example of exactly how that is done. It also triggered a strong memory from my childhood of periodically receiving mail from relatives who lived in northern Minnesota that consisted of letters written on birch-bark. They would cut off a postcard-sized "page", write on it, stick a stamp on it, and mail it to us. Finally, your knife. This was a perfect example of potentially what kind of job a "survival" knife might be put to, and therefore what the characteristics of such a knife should be, so that it performs the task well without breaking, bending, or becoming damaged. There, I think that's 3 things. lol Thanks.

[@hovlandbound]

Well, I just saw another video of yours and you demonstrated how to make a birch oil lamp. I guess you answered my question in another video. Thanks. I'm going to try that next time camping.

[@johnburgin7478]

Would think it would be an excellent accelerant for making fire starters . Have to check our river birches down here and see if they work as well. Thanks

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes the oil is flammable.

[@bretdavisdmd]

Lonnie, what an excellent video. I see you and Buck and the end of the video and I miss him. I'm sure you do too. Take care my friend.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I was walking through the house this morning with the lights out and saw a dark lump on the floor and immediate thought it was Buck before remembering that he is no longer with us and has been gone quite a while now. Incidentally the lump was a duffel bag that was used on a trip we just came back from. For a split second I was reminded of our faithful companion of yesteryears.

[@EdwinDueck]

That's new to me, I have never heard of that, it's good to know. I like your videos, I learn a lot of new things. I have always been a bit of a hunter, trapper and fisherman, but you need to have know how to survive. A lot of things I learn ( if I could remember them ) would save my life. Watching videos like yours really open my eyes to danger and safety of nature. I often said I was born a hundred years to late, if I had been born in the early 1800 then I would be living this life every day.

[@joellinn8350]

A round gas grill underneath one could make quit a lot of Oil.... must have tonnes of uses??

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+joel linn That is a great idea for performing the distillation at home. I personally use the home extracted oil as a rust preventative on carbon steel knife blades, hatchets, axes, and saws. I also add the oil to caribou tallow (other tallows would work as well) and use as a leather preservative for my gloves and boots.

[@Zanzubaa]

Wow, you Birch bark is pretty thick there. It is because of the colder climate. Here in south of UK it is less than half that thickness.

[@johnathanbusse4679]

Would this oil have the birch scent? Could it be used for a birch scent in soap making? Or is there another process for that

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Prepared this way, the oil does not have the aroma you are seeking. It smells strongly of smokey campfire. I am wondering if you could fill a jar with small bits of bark and then cover the bark with a high alcohol content vodka and let sit for a couple months. Strain the bark out, return the alcohol to the bottle and then let sit in a freezer. Perhaps the oil might separate and thicken enough to separate from the alcohol somehow.

[@grandwonder5858]

Lonnie, you tell us to use only dead birch tree's barks, but would a birch that has been dead for a year or longer work or does it must be freshly dead?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

It depends on party on the weather there. How much hot sun, how much rain, etc. A birch that had only been dead for a year most likely will all have a lot of oil in the bark. If you will notice, when a birch dies, the bark lasts longer than the wood

[@sevensurvival]

Thanks Lonnie, You have very good , informative videos. Keep up the good works. Respect.......Seven Thunders///////

[@TheHunChem]

I would suggest redistilling it without burning wood under it. It can dissolve some carciongens from the sotting flame of the wood

[@sethwarner2540]

Wanna hear something funny? When you started that fire and it was really getting going, I could smell smoke! and when my eyes started to be uncomfortable, I knew it couldn't be true.

[@DebbieCWellness]

Birch can be tinctured into a beautiful oil that’s really helpful topically for deep pain

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

"Tincture" is an alcohol extract. Alcohol extracts are not suitable for making an "oil" since they are water based. So I guess I am not understanding your statement but am very curious about it. Can you tell me how you go about making the "oil". Are you putting the bark into another oil such as olive oil to make an oil infusion? I have made muscle and joint salves for pain using herbals such as poplar leaf buds (balm of Giliad), willow bark and several herbs The combination seemed to be quite effective according to those who used it.

[@MrMrGAsMASK]

My granddaddy used it on his rifles and wood stocks. And home made arrows and it’s not flammable at all

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

It may or may not be flammable after it is dry and soaked into wood but it is flammable when still in liquid form. See my video at the link below. Primitive Birch Bark Oil Lamp kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJPXfqB6hqegirM

[@guschiggins921]

Hi Lonnie, another great video! Do you use white birch (paper birch) or yellow birch? I couldn't tell because of the snow. We've got both varieties here in Northern Ontario and I'd love to give this a try. Thanks!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes, we have the paper birch here.

[@christopherellis2663]

cool! Neanderthals did this without metal pots. Thanks for keeping it alive

[@ZorlacSkater]

Thanks, but what can we do with that oil? Did not understand you since the airplane was flying while you talked.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I personally use the birch bark oil in my leather preservative as well as a carbon steel protectant to reduce chances of rust occurring on my carbon steel knife blades.

[@ZorlacSkater]

@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival Thank you

[@chuckconge2536]

These are the vids i love to see from FRBAS. This method that you. have shown me i use quite often for the same purpose. My BK needs oil to stop from rusting. Great work lonnie.

[@joncena168]

This should be taught in school

[@oscarstenberg2745]

Definitely. In most schools you don't even learn how to survive in the current system (how to get a job, pay bills etc) and much less how to survive on your own in nature. We are lucky to have internet

[@rickmarosi4546]

We home schooled our 4 boys so many of our classes were done in the wild. I find it remarkable that most state govt oppose & even outlaw it, yet now with the China flu these same state schools are shutting down & leaving no other option.

[@joncena168]

Rick Marosi way to be ahead of the curve my friend. I have no kids but I’m gonna consider that. I already was considering it with the mass shootings but this is another reason to.

[@nl4522]

there is a fragrance called Aventus by Creed ingredient is birch. You mentioned "you don't want to put this on your skin." Is the fragrance made by using this oil?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I have no idea what is in the fragrance you mention. The fragrance that is emitted from this is very "smokey". It smells like a smokey fire. I have put this on my skin as an attempt at a mosquito repellent and also as a wound healer & wound pain reducer. It is considered safe to apply to skin.

[@nl4522]

Thanks for the answer. I am very satisfied with the way you answer me. Keep up the good works!

[@andrewzyazev9112]

And yet it is good fuel for oil lamps

[@lucasderidder4037]

There was a show where someone used it as fuel for a torch. Worked pretty good.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Lucas de ridder How about my video called Primitive Birch Bark Oil Lamp

[@xfbgmxraptor72]

thank you so much for this tutorial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@GodsP3rfectId10t]

You have to poke a hole in the top of the can so then the gases can escape without pushing the lid of.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I want the gas as well as the oil to escape out the bottom and not the top so that perhaps more distillates may condense and collect in the bottom reservoir rather than escape out into the outside air.

[@nigelperren5714]

+ Dutch prepper.. Nice childish sense of humour! It's essential!

[@janebarcklow5285]

Can the bark left over be used as punk wood is with flint and steel?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

No. It seems like it should be good for flint and steel use but the pieces I have tried does not seem to be useful for that.

[@johnmilliron9]

that oil would probably work to preserve your carbon steel blades.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

John Milliron You are absolutely correct. I have been using it for just that purpose for over a year now and it works great.

[@cecfarns6788]

Quit flammable to I'd fighure,correct...

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes it is quite flammable. Primitive Birch Bark Oil Lamp kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJPXfqB6hqegirM

[@johnsanders7273]

How is it for fire starting? I am guessing it would be great...

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes it lights well. Primitive Birch Bark Oil Lamp kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJPXfqB6hqegirM

[@EricDiaz558]

Interesting video , thank you for taking the time to make it

[@stevenmcgarva574]

Joey Diaz i

[@granttsmith6074]

Is it safe to injest and if so, can you cook with it like regular oil

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I know of no one who does ingest this and I would not personally do so. If you are wanting oils/fats to cook with, I would recommend wild animal fats. I believe it is healthier for consumption than vegetable oils. A fat bear can supply a lot of fat once it is rendered out. Also a person does not need to fry foods as much as we do in today's society. Roasting, barbequing or boiling would be fine alternatives to frying if one had no fats.

[@randybradley7427]

I put three screws in my lids

[@carsonfredrick4826]

So what do you use the rest of the wood from the birch tree for? anything?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Carson Fredrick Birch is the best wood we have in Alaska for firewood. It has the highest BTU's per cord than any other wood we have here. I understand that birsh has been used traditionally for making dog sleds but I have no first hand experience of that.

[@Hockeyfan9884]

Very informative video.

[@bf3forevergreene165]

Ohhh so u can use birch oil to make jelly for my pb&j

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

No

[@gamblemadman]

Would you be able to do this with clay containers, like in a primitive survival situation or would they break under the heat?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

***** Yes you could do this with clay vessels. I have dug natural native clay out of the ground and after drying, crumbling, sifting and rewetting it, I have then formed it into a vessel and fired the vessel under a campfire. If one carefully heats up the clay vessels slowly and evenly, they handle the heat and then should work to extract the birch bark oil

[@gamblemadman]

***** Good stuff. Thanks for answering :)

[@magicdaveable]

It is an excellent waterproofer for leather boots and axe handles.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I use the birch bark oil as one of several components in my home made leather dressing. I also use the BBO as a rust proofing for my edc carbon steel knives.

[@clarksonchief]

1st Ive seen of this and I'm always looking. good vid. kinda surprised it has so few views don't let it bother you and keep you from making more.. I sup because this vid was something different on you tube.

[@chrishiatt7326]

Does anyone know if this would be a good way to create the oil to use in a beard oil?

[@stephenobrien6248]

Very nice work, Lonnie! I'm glad that you let us all know (@10:00 mins. into the video) down here in the lower 48 about Lowe's being a national chain in the US. And all! )We know the air quality is pretty bad down in the Lower 48. But heck, we didn't realize it was affecting our IQ that bad. The Lower 48 must be a reference to our intelligence level. I guess? Oh well, I want to convert my truck to bio-diesel now. And try running it with some that birch oil you're holding, in your hand. Seriously, God bless both you and Connie!, from the Lower 48! )

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Stephen O'Brien Up here we also at times refer to the "Lower 48" by the term "down in America". You have to admit that we are a bit set apart geographically from the rest of the other 48 states. :o) My referring to Lowes as a national chain was to give a bit of brief explanation to the international viewers. I have subscribers from over 150 different countries. May all you folks down there in America have a good week. :o) Take care and God bless.

[@herbsdaughter21]

Does any kind of Birch tree work? Can you just collect the paper-like bark that just peels off the trees? Where can you source trees like this in the Pacific NW?

[@ANILTHEPRO1]

you probably want the whole thick layer and not just the dry peel. the oil is from the thick layer not the dry outside skin.

[@glbwoodsbum2567]

@@ANILTHEPRO1 There is oil in the thin bark for sure. The thin bark is what is used as tinder. When burning you can see the black smoke, indicating the oil is burning.

[@ANILTHEPRO1]

@@glbwoodsbum2567 ok

[@moussdoggy]

Can i but this ? A the internet ? I excellent for psoriasis

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I do not know if this is available on the internet or not. I am guessing that a quick web search will give you the answer to that question. Good luck.

[@pennilane8591]

As Birch burns even if wet (so I have heard) would that end product be a good fire starter ?

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Penni Lane Yes it is a great fire starter but not like gasoline, more like wax. It will not light when holding a match to it. It requires something to wick. If interested you could see my video where I make a "lamp" by using birch bark oil, a birch tree fungus as the "bowl" and a thin piece of amadou carved from the horses hoof fungus to use as wick. the video is located below and as you can see, the oil does indeed burn well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJPXfqB6hqegirM

[@pennilane8591]

It's all so interesting... off to watch ! Thank you = )

[@x_x3867]

7 years and still replying to comments incredible

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I try to always answer all questions and welcome all folks who let me know that they are new to teh channel. I also like to "heart" all positive comments as a way to let folks know that I am reading each and every comment and appreciate them.

[@drumglum6802]

Let me live in wild far far away from those humans :(

[@waynejones3413]

good in a survival situation but alot of work for little reward i just buy coconut oil its good for alot of things

[@AMpufnstuf]

+wayne jones One of the best and most practical uses for this is if you see a birch tree felled, or needing/asking to be felled. Whether it be on public property by the town or on private property by a tree service you can always ask the owner or those doing the work what will be done with the wood. Often this is just free birch that would've been left to rot or thrown in a chipper. If you get a lot of birch, might as well use a heavy knife or a hatchet and try to get it all off in smooth peels. Then you can cut it into Christmas tags, use it for note taking, or make birch oil, or even birch tar. I've seen knife sheaths made out of it, and some people even do baskets, though that's beyond my ability.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+wayne jones You are missing the point. The point is to learn to be self sufficient. Everything about being in the woods is usually much more difficult than sitting at home in an automatic heat controlled environment and eating prepackaged foods that someone else harvested and prepared. The point here is to learn to be self sufficient so that you can do everything you need to do on your own and can live on your own without someone else doing everything for you.

[@williampratt4791]

Good vid Lonnie. I lived in Willow for decades and would like to suggest you post a vid showing the folks how to use the inner red bark for tanning hides. We used to spend time tanning one moose hide a year, for the cabin, carpet using the red bark. Have a cup of joe for me the next time your in Talkeetna / Willow.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I just happened to be through Willow very recently. But alas I did not have any cups of coffee. Sorry. :o) I personally do not have any experience with preserving leather with barks. Our cabin floor gets mighty chilly when the temps are in the negative range and a moose hide would definitely feel good then.

[@44szaman]

Hi! Good presentation! Thanks!

[@SkyKing101010]

Hi Lonnie. Thank you for this demonstration. I think it's pretty cool. It seems very similar to making charcloth except that with this the hole is in the bottom and with charcloth the hole is in the side, an you're capturing the stuff that comes out the hole instead of burning it off. Is what's left in the can good for anything? I have another question, concerning chagga. I recently found some fungus on a couple of birch trees. One was very dark, hard, and it looked like the tree had been blasted. On the other, the fungus was rather large (about the size of the palm of your hand) to smallish, but they we're whitish (like button mushrooms). A friend of mine and I want to know if they're both chagga (or one, or none), what they're good for (other than starting a fire), and how to prepare it. Thank you for any insight you can offer

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I have several videos showing chaga in nature hopefully by watching them you will be able to see whether what you found is chaga or not. Chaga - From Tree To Tea kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ_ZiIKLjtJpmqs Finding, preparing and using chaga for fire kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJrIfoOQprGdf5Y Identifying Natural Fire tinders kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6KWcqqqZqeMrpI I don't remember but I think the portion of this video where I discuss chaga is near the latter half.

[@coydogoutdoors]

Thats something ive never tried but need to

[@replacher]

High,what will you doo with the birchoil??

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Hello. I use the Birch Bark oil as a rust preventatyive on my carbon steel knife. I also add it to Caribou tallow and use aa leather preservative for my boots and gloves. It also can be used as an adhesive by heating and evaporating it until it become tar like