I've had some success dissolving pine pitch with alcohol (high percentages, like rubbing alcohol).
I think the heating method is more common, though.
Another traditional use for pine-soot and pine-binders is as the foundation for India ink and Chinese black paint. Also traditionally an alcohol solvent (like laquer) for permanent inks, but their actual process was pretty well a trade secret. The processed ink can be prepared as
water soluble or permanent.
Creosote is definitely known to contain carcinogenic chemicals, but most of the other wood preservatives with similar effects are also toxic in one way or another.
If there is a way to do the job without toxic coatings, I'm all for it. (Masonry handles ground damp better, stone
fence posts and pier blocks are very useful. Creosote postpones rot, but masonry just doesn't rot.)
If some kind of toxic coating is required, I think the ecosystem can handle creosote as well or better than most of the modern ones.
I would like to know more about what is in 'pressure treated' wood if that's the alternative on the table.
We are lucky
enough to have relatively arid conditions here, where wood can last for years in contact with the ground, no coatings needed.
-Erica
