Fatwood was originally found in the remnants of longleaf pine stumps. The word "fatwood" became a descriptor meaning the wood in these stumps was 'fat' with flammable resin, therefore, perfect for a fire starter.
Fatwood is known by a variety of names in English including fatlighter, lighter wood, pine knot, heart pine, and occasionally ocote (a loan word from Spanish).
In the United States, it is most commonly referred to as Fatwood while in Mexico and Central America as ocote. It is locally called "saleng" in the pinetree-rich Cordillera region.
The secret of Fatwood is the higher concentration of resin found in our trees. It is this organic resin that makes it sustain flame and easy lighting ability.
Source: fatwood.com
#saleng #fatwood
