Tanbark
Encyclopedia
Tanbark is the bark
of certain species of tree. It is traditionally used for tanning
hides
.
The words "tanning
", "tan
," and "tawny
" are derived from the Medieval Latin
tannare, "to convert into leather."
Bark mills are horse- or oxen-driven or water powered edge mill
s and were used in earlier times to shred the tanbark to derive tannin
s for the leather
industry.
A 'barker' was a person who stripped bark from trees to supply bark mills.
and northern California
, tanbark is often called "mulch," even by manufacturers and distributors. In these areas, the word "mulch" may refer to peat moss or to very fine tanbark. In California
, Lithocarpus densiflorus (commonly known as the tanoak or tanbark-oak) was used. In New York
, on the slopes of Mount Tremper
, hemlock
bark was a major source of tanbark during the 19th century.
In America, condensed tannins are also present in the bark of blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica').
Around the Mediterannean, sumach (Rhus coriaria
) leaves and bark are used.
In Africa and Australia, acacia
(called "wattle") bark is used by tanners.
is a common source of tanbark. Quercitannic acid is the chief constituent found in oak barks. The bark is taken from young branches and twigs in oak coppices and can be up to 4 mm thick; it is grayish brown on the outside and brownish red on the inner surface.
Bark
Bark is the outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. Plants with bark include trees, woody vines and shrubs. Bark refers to all the tissues outside of the vascular cambium and is a nontechnical term. It overlays the wood and consists of the inner bark and the outer bark. The inner...
of certain species of tree. It is traditionally used for tanning
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
hides
Hides
A hide is an animal skin treated for human use. Hides include leather from cattle and other livestock animals, alligator skins, snake skins for shoes and fashion accessories and furs from wild cats, mink and bears. In some areas, leather is produced on a domestic or small industrial scale, but most...
.
The words "tanning
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
", "tan
Tan (color)
Tan is a pale whiteish, tawny shade of white. The name is derived from tannum used in the tanning of leather.The first recorded use of tan as a shade name in English was in the year 1590....
," and "tawny
Tawny (color)
Tawny is a yellowish brown color. The word means "tan-colored," from Anglo-Norman tauné "associated with the brownish-yellow of tanned leather," from Old French tané "to tan hides," from Medieval Latin tannare, from tannum "crushed oak bark," used in tanning leather, probably from a Celtic source...
" are derived from the Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin was the form of Latin used in the Middle Ages, primarily as a medium of scholarly exchange and as the liturgical language of the medieval Roman Catholic Church, but also as a language of science, literature, law, and administration. Despite the clerical origin of many of its authors,...
tannare, "to convert into leather."
Bark mills are horse- or oxen-driven or water powered edge mill
Edge mill
An edge mill or a chilian mill is a mill used for crushing or grinding in which stones roll around on their edges, on a level circular bed. It is used for milling ore and as an oil mill. Horse or oxen-driven versions were used in pre-industrial revolution America as tan bark mills to shred tree...
s and were used in earlier times to shred the tanbark to derive tannin
Tannin
A tannin is an astringent, bitter plant polyphenolic compound that binds to and precipitates proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids.The term tannin refers to the use of...
s for the leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
industry.
A 'barker' was a person who stripped bark from trees to supply bark mills.
Tanbark around the world
In some areas of the United States, such as central PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, tanbark is often called "mulch," even by manufacturers and distributors. In these areas, the word "mulch" may refer to peat moss or to very fine tanbark. In California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Lithocarpus densiflorus (commonly known as the tanoak or tanbark-oak) was used. In New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, on the slopes of Mount Tremper
Mount Tremper
Mount Tremper, officially known as Tremper Mountain and originally called Timothyberg, is one of the Catskill Mountains in the U.S. state of New York. It is located near the hamlet of Phoenicia, in the valley of Esopus Creek....
, hemlock
Tsuga
Tsuga is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock....
bark was a major source of tanbark during the 19th century.
In America, condensed tannins are also present in the bark of blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica').
Around the Mediterannean, sumach (Rhus coriaria
Rhus coriaria
Rhus coriaria, commonly called Elm-Leaved Sumach or Tanner's Sumach is a deciduous shrub to small tree in the Anacardiaceae or Cashew family, native to southern Europe. The dried fruit are used as a spice, particularly in combination with other spices in the mixture called Za'atar.- Uses :Caution...
) leaves and bark are used.
In Africa and Australia, acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
(called "wattle") bark is used by tanners.
Oak bark
In Europe, oakOak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
is a common source of tanbark. Quercitannic acid is the chief constituent found in oak barks. The bark is taken from young branches and twigs in oak coppices and can be up to 4 mm thick; it is grayish brown on the outside and brownish red on the inner surface.