What is fatlighter?

Fatlighter, also known as fat lighter, lighter wood, heart pine, lighter knots or fatwood contains a high concentration of resin. When a pine tree, particularly longleaf pines (Pinus palustris), dies, or iscut down, the resin is drawn up from the pine tree’s roots and gathers right above the tap root (the beginning of the central root where rootlets spring down into the earth to gather nutrients from the soil). This is where fatlighter is found. It is known as fatlighter because the pine wood becomes “fat” with resin.

Terpene is responsible for the characteristic scent and flammability of fatwood and is typically derived from the resin within the wood. Terpenes are organic compounds found in many plants, including coniferous trees like pine. The specific terpenes present in fatwood may vary depending on the species of pine and environmental factors, but common terpenes found in pine resin include alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and delta-3-carene. These terpenes contribute to the resin's flammability and distinctive aroma.

Overall, "fat lighter" is a term deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the southern United States, where pine trees are abundant, and the use of fatwood as a fire starter has been common for generations.