Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

How to Make a Maine Weather Stick

Maine weather sticks were first used by Native Americans. The Abenaki Indians are credited with the discovery. The Indians noticed the dry branches of balsam firs as they responded to the weather conditions. There are a few theories about why it works, but the main idea is that it reacts to high or low pressure. Before rain or snow falls, the stick points downward. During nice weather, the stick points upward. Other names for the Maine weather stick are Canadian weather stick, Maine woodman's weather stick and Vermont weather stick.

Things You'll Need

Balsam fir
Knife
Staples or nail (optional)
Hammer
Small piece of flat wood (optional)
Glue (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a balsam fir sapling, approximately 16 inches long and one-quarter inch in diameter, or cut a branch of this length from a larger tree. Balsam fir grows in Canada and the Midwest and northeastern U.S. as far south as Virginia. Outside of this area, balsam fir tree saplings are available by mail order through a number of greenhouses, nurseries and Christmas tree farmers.
- 2
  Remove the bark from the sapling or branch with the knife. Allow the stick to dry indoors for a few days.
- 3
  Attach the end of the sapling or branch to a tree or building. Use staples or drive a nail halfway into the surface where you are mounting the weather stick and bend the nail over the end of the stick to pin it in place. Alternatively, drill a hole the same diameter as the stick into a small, flat piece of wood and glue the end of the weather stick into the hole. Allow it to dry, then mount the flat piece of wood to a vertical surface, such as a tree or the side of a house or barn.
- 4
  Wait about one week for your weather stick to adjust to the conditions. It will not begin to work immediately. In good weather, high pressure causes the weather stick to point upward. When the pressure falls with the onset of a bad-weather system, the stick points downward.

Nature