Alaska Alive Spruce Gum Modern technology has brought us many different sealants and adhesives. Old timers used spruce gum to fix leaky canoes and other watertight containers. Preparing If we try to apply spruce gum as it comes from the tree, it will not adhere well, and it will soon crack. The secret is to heat a mixture of spruce gum with the right amount of oil or grease. If there isn't enough oil, the mixture will be too brittle.
Most older trees have an injury or two that is dripping gum.
Many trees on top of cutbanks have such injuries from collisions by ice during breakup. When it cools, test it by bending and twisting. Experiment with different types of oil, Mazola, Crisco, even motor oil. Use animal fats, like seal oil or bear fat if you can get some. You just conducted the experiment with the materials at room temperature.