Somebody try this

[Kevin]

Bill Nelson from Michigan reports, "When I was young, an old timber cruiser told me that at one time all chewing gum was made from Black Spruce. One can make it themselves by gathering the black spruce gum and putting it in a double boiler and heating it. When it becomes liquid, pore it into a shallow pan of cold water. The bugs and other impurities will flote to the top. When it hardens, pour off the water and sprinkle some corn starch over it. Then cut it into pieces and you have some fine natural chewing gum."
... and get back to me if you can still operate your jaw.  :D

http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/trees/piceamar.html

[Jeff]

Yep, ole Bill from Michigan. I hear tell he's the reason Ontario is so quiet and peaceful. ;D

[Kevin]

Try and have a batch on hand for the piggy fest.

[Gus]

That is interesting Kevin.

[Duane_Moore]

 8) 8)wounder if thats where Black Jack chewin gum come from?  anybody remember that stuff?  Duane.  or Chum Gum

[shopteacher]

Man, wonder what that stuff wood taste like? Duane I can remember both of them. Blackjack was one of my favorites. They had brought it back on the market a while back along with teaberry. Don't know if their still available.

[Fla._Deadheader]

Ahhhhh, Teaberries. One of Nature's bountiful snacks. When I showed my son the first time, he didn't think much about 'em, till he TRIED one. ;D ;D    Now, he knows where all the patches are when we go deer hunting. :D :D :D :D

[EZ]

Give me a bag of gummy bears and I'll be happy all day.
EZ

[karl]

My Dad convinced me to try chewing spruce gum as a kid- never really developed a taste for it :

[Mark M]

My Grandma showed me how to pop balsam bubbles with a stick and the chew on the stick. I pulled that one on my kids too! It really wakes you up.

I never thought of dipping your gum in corn meal. I guess then you could put it in your pocket and chew it again later. Dats a handy tip. :D

[L. Wakefield]

   I like the website for the black spruce info. My reference book talks of spruce gum and spruce beer being made from the black spruce; spruce gum also being collected from the red spruce.   lw

[Keltic]

My mom was always a huge fan of spuce gum, even had some favorite trees. FMK