Thinking about solutions to plug our crack in the canoe, we stumbled upon an idea that had been lurking in the back of our minds for some time now- what about pitch?

Organic pitch and tars are products obtained from the dry-distillation of wood, peat or in our case, bark. Birch-bark produces some of the finest tar and has been utilised for milennia, from Neanderthal spears to the later medieval period, where it was hugely important in a large part of Northern Europe’s economy. ‘Russian Oil’ as it was known, is a brilliant waterproofer, adhesive, disinfectant and leather dressing.

We had a bash at making some during one of our regular Wednesday volunteer sessions and were seriously impressed with the ease of manufacture and the results.

Stripping the bark off the birch branches.

The collection pot, sunk into the ground and sealed around the edges with clay.

The authentic Iron Age biscuit tins, full of bark, pierced through the bottom and placed on top of the pot.

Tanya tends the fire built over the two sets of tins.

As the fire dies down, the ashes are carefully scraped back.

Success! Our first pot of tar!

The liquid tar is then simmered to concentrate it and turn it into a resin.