The Power of Pine - Part Two, Needles AndCones

by Zombease

The Power of Pine: Part Two, Needles and Cones, focuses on the many survival and preparedness uses for two important and easy to collect parts of the pine tree: Needles and cones.

With a nearly endless number of survival uses, including applications for fire, medication, construction, food, and more, pine trees are an important and versatile natural resources for survivors all across the globe. With over 100 species growing throughout the world, pine trees can be pretty easy to find when you know what you’re looking for.

Identify: I won’t tell you that pines grow in cone-shapes, or have flaky red bark, or any number of other potentially identifying factors that change depending on the type of pine you might be looking at. But what I will tell you is this: Pines are easily identified by their needle-like leaves. These leaves sprout together in clusters of two (red pines), three (yellow pines), or five (white pines) along the branches of a pine tree… and the good news is that while they might vary in appearance, they can all be literal life-savers.

Pine Needles: These little needle-like leaves can provide everything from a bit of fire to warm yourself or cook by, to a rich drink ready to take on any cold or flu symptoms that might come your way during a disaster situation.

For The Fire. Catching quickly, burning hot and smelling sweet while doing so, dried pine needles make excellent tinder for fires. Needles, fresh from the tree and still green, can work for fires as well. However, like most living plant-life, fresh needles will put off a higher level of smoke while burning.

With a higher concentration of smoke comes a number of other factors: higher visibility (great for signaling, bad when you want to stay hidden), the ability to take smoke baths (helpful when you have limited access to water), and the need for a higher level of ventilation (necessary for all types of fires).

While it won’t do much against the undead, the smoke from burning pine needles can act as a natural deterrent against irritating or potentially dangerous insects and pests like mosquitoes, biting flies, hornets, wasps, and so on. That means lessening the risks of contracting a dangerous infection or parasitic passengers. *Adding a little resin and your fire should be up and running in no time.

Bedding.Whether a survivor finds themselves stranded out in the wilds of the world or just stuck outside, as exhaustion sets in, night begins to fall, and the world is swallowed by darkness, they'll need somewhere safe, comfortable, and warm to sleep. Pine needles (fresh or dried), used as bedding, can provide ample cushioning from the ground below a survivor, insulate and capture warmth against their body, and repel moisture and potentially deadly contaminates like animal feces, sewage, and even the decomposing undead.

Roofing.Acting as both insulation and a moisture deterrent, even when they aren't attached to boughs and branches, pine-needles can make an excellent layer for roofing survival shelters. The trick is to have an under-layer made from a tarp, thick pads of moss, or an alternate base for the needles to rest on.

Tea.Pulled directly from the branches and boughs and boiled, these needles make a simple tea that isn't just warming, but also good for the immune system. Fresh pine-needles are very high in vitamin C (one cup of tea can contain roughly five-times that of a lemon), and can help fight off potentially deadly illnesses like the cold or flu.

1 cup potable water.
1 handful of fresh and clean pine needles.
Boil water, add needles, heat for roughly 5 minutes, and drink up.

• The younger/fresher the needle (closer to the tip of a branch) the higher the concentration of vitamin C.• Dried needles can be used as well, though to less effect and flavor.

For a stronger tea: Chop or rip apart one handful of needles, boil a small pan of water, lower heat to simmer, add needle pieces, and let simmer for roughly 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the needles to soak overnight. The needle tea should have a slight red tint to it and taste much stronger than the quick cup.

Medicinal Soak.Taking a warm bath or applying a compress, might be one of the last things you think to do during an apocalyptic situation, but it can be an important step towards recovering from injury and illness... two things that can quickly take you out during a disaster or survival situation.

On their own a warm compress or baths can make a big dent in recovery times for things like arthritis, nerve pain, sprains, and muscle aches. Combined with the power of pine, things move a lot faster. The next time you feel a cold or flu coming on, come home sore after scavenging supplies all day, or just finish up a battle with the undead, take a soak in a pine needle bath... you'll be surprised how much it helps.

Weaving.Fresh, still green needles make excellent weaving materials. While I'm personally no good at it, a talented or trained survivor can make anything from baskets, cups, bowls, rugs, and even blankets if they have enough needles and time to draw from.

Pine Cones: While they aren't as versatile as the other parts from a pine tree, pone cones can offer some pretty stellar services to a knowledgeable survivor.

Fuel. Catching quickly, burning bright and hot, and available in abundance, dried pine cones are one of nature's most effective, compact, and lightweight fuel sources for survivors everywhere. Due to their relatively small size, long burn time, and availability, pine cones are fantastic fuel for rocket-stoves and other small-scale fire/heating units. Cones should be collected throughout the year, stored in a cool dry place, and accessed for later use during emergencies, disasters, or when you need a little extra glow in the fireplace.

Bird/Squirrel Feeder. Why would you want a bird/squirrel feeder, and what does it have to do with survival? The answer is simple: it makes catching small game easier. Whether set out on its own in a good place or augmented with bits of peanut butter, cheese, or meats, pine cones make excellent small game attractor... though you'll need a way to capture and kill the small game once it gets there.

Edible.The seeds from all species of pine are edible, though some may taste better than others. Like many types of seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, and so on) pine seeds taste best when roasted with an open flame.

Take a look at The Power of Pine: Part One, Remarkable Resin, and check back soon for The Power of Pine: Part Three.

*Pine resin, extract, bark, etc. can cause birthing complications and should not be consumed by those that are pregnant. Always seek professional medical advice when available.