Tar can sometimes be removed from wood, but it is difficult because it penetrates pores and stains deeply. Scraping may remove surface tar, while dark marks often remain.
Tar sticks to wood for the same reason people used it as a preservative: it clings, penetrates, and resists water. That makes removal frustrating. A thick surface layer may scrape away, but the colour, smell, and oily residue can remain in the grain.
The result depends on the wood and the tar. Softwood can absorb tar deeply. Old dry timber may hold stains in cracks and checks. A recent splash of pine tar is not the same as decades of weathered tar on a fence, boat, or beam. Coal-tar or creosote-related coatings introduce additional safety concerns.
Mechanical removal can damage the surface, while solvents may spread the stain, create fumes, or drive residue further into the wood. Heat can soften tar but can also increase fire and fume risk. This is why careful testing matters more than aggressive guessing.
In many cases, the realistic goal is not perfect removal but management: scrape excess, isolate the stain, choose a compatible finish, or accept the darkened character of the timber. For antiques and historic fabric, removal should be approached conservatively.