WABI Crew Tastes Traditional Maine Spruce Gum

The Bangor morning team sampled the historic resin that once served as a natural chewing gum for the region.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Botany

Screen-print poster illustration showing a close-up of amber-colored resin weeping from the bark of a spruce tree. — WABI morning hosts in Bangor explored the history of spruce gum, a natural resin once harvested throughout New England as traditional chewing gum. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The morning crew at WABI in Bangor, consisting of Todd, Alyssa, and Joy, sampled spruce gum on air after receiving the resin from a viewer. The segment explored the history of the substance, which was once a common natural chewing gum throughout New England.

Why it matters

Spruce gum represents a significant piece of regional history for Maine, serving as a precursor to modern manufactured chewing gum. Understanding the historical utility of local natural resources highlights the shift toward synthetic chicle-based products that now dominate the market.

Spruce gum is composed of hardened resin harvested from spruce trees. While it enjoyed widespread commercial popularity during the 19th century, it was eventually superseded by modern chicle-based manufactured alternatives.

The players

Todd, Alyssa, and Joy

They are the morning crew members at WABI who participated in the on-air segment.

Wayne Harvey

He is a former colleague of the WABI crew who provided expert information on the substance.

WABI

This is a television station based in Bangor, Maine.

The details

The crew consulted former colleague Wayne Harvey to provide background information on the material. Traditionally, the resin was collected by indigenous peoples and early settlers through cuts in the tree bark before it became a commercial staple.

October 26, 2026: The WABI morning crew tasted the spruce gum.
19th century: Spruce gum reached its peak commercial popularity in Maine.

The Big Picture

This look at traditional resin use illustrates the broader transition from regional wild-harvested goods to mass-produced synthetic alternatives. It highlights how local cultural practices are often displaced by the evolution of global industrial manufacturing.

While commercial spruce gum is largely a historical curiosity, the segment provides insight into the natural materials once common to the Maine woods. Residents can learn about the traditional methods of resource collection that shaped early industry in New England and Atlantic Canada.

The takeaway

The segment serves as a reminder of the historical relationship between Maine residents and their native forests. Exploring the origins of common products can deepen a community's understanding of its regional heritage and past economic practices.