Tinder fungus trees and habitats


3fires

3fires

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In response to this demo vid...

Tinder Fungus and Coal Extender Varieties - YouTube

...someone requested me to show the different trees that the above tinder fungi grow on and to also show the habitats that I find those trees in. Below is part one of a series that will hopefully quickly show the trees, fungus whenever possible, and the area they grow.

Many of us know that for tinder it's not really required to ID a fungus, just break it off the tree, put a spark to it and see if it works. But, since the trees, fungi, and areas have multiple uses I thought it might be a cool idea to break it down by tree.

I tried to avoid all the technical jargon that can be associated with tree, mushroom and plant ID and instead focus on the obvious signs that stood out to me as I learned these trees, and throw in a few tips that help me commit this stuff to memory. Hopefully this will help with identifying the trees from a distance as well as to help distinguish them from other similar trees.

If there's any interest I'll post up the rest of the series as I get them uploaded.

Part 1: American elm and Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom that can be used as tinder

Tinder Fungus Trees And Habitats Part 1 of 5 American elm and Ganoderma lucidum - YouTube

If you folks have any questions or have any other tips for finding these fungi, identifying the trees or the like I'd sure appreciate hearing them.

Thanks!
 
I have an interest in this and also fungi identification in general. I have several photos I took two days ago of some fungi I haven't been able to positively ID. If I could use any of these for food or fire, it would be great.

Dunno if your thread would be the place to put the photos though. Thanks for taking the time to post these things.
 
You can throw 'em up ckirk1311, or just start another thread. I don't mind either way. But, it can be hard to ID based on a photo unless it shows the features needed. It is possible though.
 
I went out again today and brought back 5 different types of fungi (or something). None of the 5 would catch and hold a spark except one. It caught a spark but was very moist because it was growing on the ground and the spark died quickly. Each time I saw an instance of it, it was under a damaged tree. I don't know what kind of tree it is but maybe you may recognize it and be able to help.

It may not even be a fungi. I just know it grows in size and is always under the damaged trees of this type.

groundfungi.jpg


damagedtree.jpg


I only got a picture of the trunk. The tree is about 55' tall and there is no foliage on the tree at the moment.

I'll spare you the others. Maybe start another thread for ID help. They were all shelf fungi but two. The one pictured and another, very fleshy white freaky looking thing. :)
 
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I can't tell from the pic, superficially it looks like chaga, but I can't say for sure. It may just be an old burl or a piece of poo. The only real requirement for tinder is that it's dry, so maybe stting it beside a fire or simply letting it dry for a few days would help.

That's part of the reason I like false tinder fungus, aka horse's hoof, as it many times can be found dry inside even though we may have had lots of rain or snow. Which means you could use it in a pinch, aka a real survival situation.
 
A Side Note on The American Beech Tree ** Beech bark disease has become a major killer of beech trees in the Northeastern United States. This disease occurs when the beech scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga, attacks the bark, creating a wound that is then infected by one of two different species of fungi in the genus Nectria. This causes a canker to develop and the tree is eventually killed.

Hate to see a Tree marked up Like that. Thanks for sharing.
 
You're welcome Woods Walker.

mainewoods,

It's hard to find a beech around here that isn't marked up. I wasn't sure what actually killed the trees. Thanks!
 
Thanks for the lessons 3Fires. I had never thought to use fungus beyond edible and medicinal aspects. Are there any other utility aspects of fungus you know of besides tinder?
 
You're welcome bullethawk82,

Not so much a lesson, but rather just helping out a fellow bushcrafter/ outdoor enthusiast by passing on some things I've learned. I'm a student myself, not a teacher. :)

Candles, lamps, stoves, and candle wicks.
http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?p=953621#post953621

I've heard of other uses, but can't recall any first hand experience using them for other things offhand.

There is one thing that false tinder fungus is used for though that is quite "bushcrafty"...
Making hats: http://aeronode.com/post/1148315196/this-hat-is-made-from-a-fungus-amadou
 
Part 3: Eastern hemlock and Reishi

Tinder Fungus Trees And Habitats Part 3 of 5 Eastern hemlock and Reishi - YouTube

Reishi is a medicinal fungi that is much sought after. I've never used it medicinally, but it does make good tinder. :) I hear it tastes like, well, I hear it tastes bad.

Eastern hemlock is a good tree to know as well. Honestly, I've never used it for anything that I can recall, but it is just a cool looking tree. I wish there were more around.
 
Part 4: The popples and King Alfred's cakes

Tinder Fungus Trees And Habitats Part 4 of 5 The Popples and King Alfred's Cakes - YouTube

These grow on a variety of wood. I chose the popples because they typically have lots of dead branches and stumps for them to grow on. Most books say they grow on Ash, but I don't really find them there and we have lots of dead ash. Basically any dead tree is a possible candidate, even branches and stumps.

King Alfred's Cakes are also known as tinder balls, coke balls, coal fungus, cramp balls, carbon balls and who knows how many other common names. By it's latin name, Daldinia concentrica, it is a mushroom that can be used as tinder for fire starting and as a coal extender to preserve an ember. It requires no processing other than being dry.

They work extremely well for tinder, but typically burn up faster than Chaga, aka true tinder fungus.
 
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