Turpentine Tree

A tree prepared for turpentining had part of its bark removed from the trunk, then a series of V-shaped streaks cut into the exposed area to injure the tree and make gum, or oleoreson, bleed from the wood. A metal gutter placed in the cut directed the gum into a hanging clay Herty cup, and the ascending rows of streaks above the cup formed a cat face. When the cups were full, workers emptied the gum into buckets, then into 50 gallon barrels spaced through the woods, and the barrels were hauled by mule and wagon to a still site for processing. Turpentine was used as paint thinner, disinfectants, and medicine.

Christmas, Florida · United States