Thread: Survival Tips & Strategies (Little Known Secrets of the Backcountry)

Needles from evergreen Spruce Trees are widely reputed to be high in vitamin C content. I think people used them to flavor certain drinks.


Spruces (Picea,) Firs (Abies,) and Douglas Firs (Pseudotsuga) all resemble each other superficially, but are not the same. Look at their needles and cones to tell them apart. Sometimes the bark, as firs and Douglas Firs tend to have baby smooth, birch-like bark.

Spruce Needles:






The spruces have needles that point in all different directions and tend to be straight, with a growth base in the outline of a '+' sign.
Spruce cones tend to droop from below the branches like pines.

Douglas Fir Needles:





A lot of things said about the spruce apply, except the needles are flat instead of pointed and tapered at the end. Cones droop toward the ground like the spruce.
Young Douglas Firs have smooth trunks.


True Firs:



True Firs are distinct from Douglas Firs in a number of ways. Like the Douglas Firs, their needles are more flat. Unlike the Douglas Fir,
they have erect cones that point vertically at the sky. Their needle growth tends to curve upward on the twigs forming a sort of
arch. On many varieties, the needles have an intense silvery bluish color on the sides facing upward. Saplings have smooth
bark. The trees are quite attractive, colourful, and are known to have a nice fragrance.

It might be a good idea to have a tea strainer along:

Some people might find these to be good resources:

A nice blog about prepping lessons and tidbits:

Everything Under The Sun

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(be sure to email the webmaster for PDF guides)


Tutorial on making a "Dakota Stove."

Yvonne's Silver Linings: Free Dakota Stove - Preparedness Without Money

PDF:

http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Reso...1-008-1004.pdf