How to Bark Tan Hide

Co-authored by Mike Stramiello
Last Updated: March 10, 2025

"Bark tanning is the ancient process of creating a durable, water-repellent leather by tanning animal hide with tree bark. Bark tanning takes several months to complete but will result in a finished leather that you can use to create clothing, hinges, saddles, boots, wallets, bags, and other leather items. If you create the tree bark liquor or solution with the right ingredients, prepare the animal hide correctly, and use the right process to dye the hide, you can bark tan cattle, horse, buffalo, or pig hides.

White oak gives the leather a yellowish shade while chestnut oak turns hides a dark brown. Hemlock bark will give the leather a dark reddish-brown color." [No reason to use chrome or other dye chemicals -- make do with what nature provides!]

Things You’ll Need

- Hides
- Tree bark
- Water
- Wood chipper/shredder
- Plastic container
- Dull knife
- Salt
- Hydrated lime [which could be made from crushed, heated seashells -- more about that in another post]

Learn more:
https://www.wikihow.com/Bark-Tan

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