Abstract: An oil absorbing and confining product includes a by-product from manufacture of wooden lead pencils and the like. Incense-cedar in its natural state has a natural hydrophobic constituent in a form of a natural resin material. During processing of incense-cedar wood for pencil making, various dyes and the like are added and in addition a small additional amount of wax is added. A waste by-product is generated in the form of fine shavings, fibers and sawdust which uniquely functions for oil absorption with rejection of water absorption. The material can be applied in its waste form to a water surface covered with oil or can be conveniently retained within a suitable flexible and porous covering such as a fabric sock or bag structure for use as a confining and absorbing dam member. The use of incense-cedar is readily destroyed through incineration or the like.