Katning

Katning is the Swedish word for a method to make pine wood even more resistant to rot.

Stripes of the bark and part of the sapwood are removed from a straight grown and mature pine. The amount of stripes depends on the intended use for the wood. To protect its surface the tree produces more resins which in 3 – 6 years gives a heavy wood, rich in resins and very rot resistant. Today this could be an alternative to pressure treating with chemical preservatives.

The wood was used in window joinery, mainly for the lowest parts in sash and frame, and for sill plates in log houses. The sticky surface of this wood keeps pegs and axe handle wedges in place.

Wood treated with katning gave more tar or turpentine