Fomes fomentarius

[oetzi]

http://www.forst.uni-muenchen.de/EXT/LST/BOTAN/LEHRE/PATHO/PILZE/FAEULE/fomfom.htm
I got a small one and now I wonder how to prepare it for use as tinder.
Everyone and his ancestors seems to swear by another recipe. Boil it or soak it, in water or urine or salpeter, hammer it or not and dozens of other varieties.
Since this fungus is here in Germany an endangered species and subsequently protected I dont want to waste what I have.
So, what are YOUR experiences with preparing this stuff for tinder, please?

 

[rich59]

I cannot answer your question directly as I have not had the opportunity to handle fomes fomentarius. However, I have handled some other polypores.

I do have a question about it being endangered though. Did it used to be common? Why has it become endangered?

 

[oetzi]

Hello Rich. This fungus is usually found on old and/or sick trees, especially fagus sylvatica.
Our woods have seen some change in the course of the last century. They were used to feed the farmers animals and now they are only used to raise and cut wood. Therefore there is no longer a supply of trees with the above mentrioned characteristics.
Fomen fomentarius is on the list for endangered species and was "fungus of the year" in 2005

 

[BorderReiver]

One bijou pointette.

Don't forget this thing grows on dead trees and hangs on very hard.If you try to thump it hard to remove it, the tree might just break and land on your head.

I've found the best bet is to cut round the fungus into the bark then push/pull it off.

 

[Toddy]

Hello Rich. This fungus is usually found on old and/or sick trees, especially fagus sylvatica.
Our woods have seen some change in the course of the last century. They were used to feed the farmers animals and now they are only used to raise and cut wood. Therefore there is no longer a supply of trees with the above mentrioned characteristics.
Fomen fomentarius is on the list for endangered species and was "fungus of the year" in 2005

I'm usually incredibly careful about the plants & fungi that I gather. This one is truly common in the central belt where we usually find it on birch.
Will you please post details of where you found fomes fomentaris on the endangered species list, and the fungi of the year 2005?

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[BorderReiver]

Fomen fomentarius is on the list for endangered species and was "fungus of the year" in 2005

Funny that,there is a fair bit in "my" wood and it's not supposed to grow in Norfolk.

Possibly the change in climate is causing a shift in range.

Not drowning,just waving.

PS Google finds no links to fomes being in any danger in the UK.

Anyone have any references?

 

[Fallow Way]

I have found some very large fungi that have certain elements exactly the same as FF, however its in north leicestershire, way south of its usual region (though not unheard of). I cant say its that for sure, i shall get some pics up mon/tues hopefully

 

[oetzi]

FF was fungus of the year 1995 in Germany.
With being "unter Naturschutz" there is some confusion to be found on the net.
Some say, that the fungus itself is protected, some say its the type of woods where they can usually be found and so this protection extends to it.

 

[Toddy]

In my neck of the woods I find it growing not on the SSSI's but on the colonizing birch trees along old railway sidings and remnant bings. It's not protected, it's prolific
That said, I don't over pick, I never take all of the fungi on a tree and I make every effort not to damage the tree while collecting. I only collect from areas where it is common and I have permission to gather.
Yesterday my husband found some growing on a fallen elm tree; I thought it only grew on birch and occasionally on beech.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[BorderReiver]

That said, I don't over pick, I never take all of the fungi on a tree and I make every effort not to damage the tree while collecting. I only collect from areas where it is common and I have permission to gather.

Cheers,
Toddy

As the fomes is a heart wood fungus and either lives on dead trees or kills them anyway,I don't think you need to be too carefull not to damage the tree.

There seem to be quite a few trees this thing will grow on.It also spores in Spring,unlike most other fungi which prefer the autumn.

This might be of interest:
http://www.uio.no/conferences/imc7/NFotm2000/January2000.htm

There are one or two other refs. to it's haemostatic properties,so I'm inclined to believe it.

 

[oetzi]

Nice page.
"When the sterile part is treated properly and later hammered..."
Still I would like to find out what the proper treatment is

 

[BorderReiver]

Nice page.
"When the sterile part is treated properly and later hammered..."
Still I would like to find out what the proper treatment is

The hammering was for another use I think.

To stop bleeding the material was cut into squares and fluffed up before applying to the wound.