Quick Answer
A fatwood-rich stump is likely to be soft, have a distinctive resinous smell, and a pale to yellowish color. It may also have a rough, checkered surface and a spongy texture. The wood is typically easy to shave or scrape.
Visual Cues
When searching for fatwood, look for stumps that have a soft, spongy texture. This is often a sign that the wood is rich in resin, which is the primary component of fatwood. To test the sponginess, gently press your thumb into the wood. If it feels soft and yielding, it may be a good source of fatwood.
Odor and Color
Fatwood has a distinctive, sweet, resinous smell that is often compared to pine tar or turpentine. This smell can be detected by sniffing the wood or the shavings. The color of the wood can also be a good indicator - fatwood is typically pale to yellowish in color, often with a white or light-colored sapwood. This is because the resin in fatwood tends to repel insects and other microorganisms, preserving the wood and giving it a lighter color.
Shaving and Scraping
To determine if a stump contains fatwood, try shaving it with a sharp knife or scraping it with a rock. Fatwood shaves easily and will produce a fine, fluffy material that can be used to start a fire. If the wood is difficult to shave or scrape, it may not be a good source of fatwood.
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