What is turpentine and where does it come from?

Turpentine is a volatile oil obtained from the resin of pine trees, primarily the longleaf pine. It is produced through the distillation of pine resin and has been used historically as a solvent, in varnishes, and in the production of various chemical compounds. The primary sources of turpentine are pine forests, particularly in the southern United States, where the harvesting of pine resin is a traditional practice.