i think i found some horses hoof fungus?

[bdshim]

will post a picture up later but was at work today and moving some timber about, and for some random reason there was an old birch log with little shoots coming off it, then i saw what i think is the fungus thats good for tinder? like i say will stick a picture up later so people with more knowledge can tell me what ive found

 

[Toddy]

It's good stuff is the birch and it assorted fungus

Put up a photo and someone'll know which one it is

cheers,
Toddy

 

[addo]

You only normally get two bracket fungi attached to Birch.

If its flat, white and grows each year its Birch polypore/Razorstrop
If it looks like a horses hoof.........

 

[bdshim]

ahhh dam, i think its not i think its a cramp ball?? but heres a picture the white bit is where i broke it off there are more maybe i should have left it? if it is cramp ball whats the best thing to do with it?
cheers

 

[Toddy]

That's not a cramp ball. That looks like a small fomes.
Can you cut it in half and take a photo of the layers inside ?

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[bdshim]

yep give me a few mins

 

[bdshim]

here it is is it any good for anything

 

[Toddy]

Small slightly distorted fomes fomentarius. It might well have grown after the tree was down. We get some really odd shaped ones growing that way.

It's a good tinder fungus Do a search for amadou

cheers,
Toddy

 

[bdshim]

Small slightly distorted fomes fomentarius. It might well have grown after the tree was down. We get some really odd shaped ones growing that way.

It's a good tinder fungus Do a search for amadou

cheers,
Toddy

so is it best leave it to dry? then cut it up ? thanks for reply

 

[addo]

Take the outer layer off now while its slightly softer and get rid of the tube layer to leave the velvetly bit required in-between.

This should help you http://woodsmancrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/making-amadou.html

Have fun

 

[bdshim]

thanks will give it a try sometime

 

[Toddy]

If you don't get the crisp skin off now, it'll be a right pain to do it when it's dry.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[bdshim]

i had a go today with trying to get the skin off today, i think its to late was very hard the skin

 

[Toddy]

It still burns but if you look at Addo's link you can see how the bit that makes the amadou is directly under that hard shell, and good amadou is like velvety chamois leather.....no hard bits.

cheers,
Toddy