How to Use Pitch Glue

Pitch glue is a homemade type of adhesive made partially from the pitch, or sap, on trees. This glue is often referred to as "nature's glue" or "survival glue" because it is made with natural materials found in the woods by hikers or campers when an adhesive is needed to hold objects together. To form pitch glue, you first need mix several keys ingredients and then reheat the materials when you are ready to use the glue.

Making the Glue

Step 1

Use a stick to collect lumps of sap or pitch from a tree and place in a skillet. Pitch can most often be found on pine or spruce trees.

Step 2

Gather charcoal from an extinguished and cooled campfire pit and gather dry plant materials such as grass or leaves. Shred the grass or leaves.

Step 3

On a hard, even surface, use a flat rock to grind the charcoal and the grass or leaves into fine powders. You need approximately five parts pitch, one part charcoal and one part dry plant material.

Step 4

Start the campfire and melt the pitch in the skillet.

Step 5

Add the charcoal and plant material to the skillet once the pitch comes to a boil and stir with a stick to form a black tar.

Step 6

Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool.

Using the Glue

Step 1

Twist the glue onto the ends of sticks to form pitch glue sticks for storing the glue, once the pitch glue has reached a warm temperature and is safe to touch with your hands.

Step 2

Reheat a pitch glue stick over a fire just before you are ready to apply the adhesive.

Step 3

Dab the glue from the stick onto an object and seal the object accordingly.