Mega Tinder Fungus

[Shotgun]

So it grows on the side of Birch trees, eh? What's a Birch tree?

I'm continually amazed — truly astonished — by all the neat stuff you guys have growing back there. As I read through all the threads on this forum I see all kinds of things, from different regions, that make me wish it grew around here, too. I can't wait to get out to the local mountains to see if I can find any suitable fat wood. I guess that one will depend on the type of pines we have, but things like Birch trees (and tinder fungus) are simply out of the question.

Sure, we have palm trees and cactus, both useful in their own right, but somehow it doesn't seem the same as the rich diversity of vegetation you guys have in the East.

Note that I'm not complaining, merely commenting on the difference between there and here. Oh, and we don't have to shovel snow off our walks here in San Diego, so I suppose that kind of makes up for it.

It might grow there. I live north of you and I find it primarily in the mountains wether the cascades or the coast mountains but not necessarily too high, 200-600ft. The place I find them is by rivers and I can't think of anywhere else I've found them except the paper birch that my parents put in their front drive. If you see a white bark tree near a river, it's probably birch. Let me see if my google-fu is strong tonight.

 

[dawsonbob]

It might grow there. I live north of you and I find it primarily in the mountains wether the cascades or the coast mountains but not necessarily too high, 200-600ft. The place I find them is by rivers and I can't think of anywhere else I've found them except the paper birch that my parents put in their front drive. If you see a white bark tree near a river, it's probably birch. Let me see if my google-fu is strong tonight.

Sorry, Shotgun, I was being facetious when I asked what Birch was. At one time or another I've wandered over most of the country, and I've seen Birch trees in many places; just not around here. I think it may be too warm for them in San Diego County. Along stream banks around here we get Poplar/Cottonwoods — and a few other things — but no Birch.

I was trying to be funny, but I guess I missed the mark with that one. I think my point was that our W&SS brethren from other places post a lot of neat stuff that simply doesn't occur in my area, which, technically, is defined as desert. As I've posted several times in different threads I'm simply in awe of all the green in some areas: things here are mostly brown, year 'round. Of course those areas with all the lovely green will soon be white with snow (which will become water to feed the lovely green growth in the spring). Here, it's warm and brown, with no Birch.

 

[kgd]

Mistwalker - yes, true tinder fungus will catch a spark even from traditional flint and steel just like charcloth. It forms an ember and will hold onto that ember for quite a while. You can then put it in a tinder bundle and blow it into flames just like you do with charcloth.

Sorry for so many pics...I was going to do a thread yesterday and abandoned it....Still the pics work with this topic. No intention of hijacking...

Tinder fungus piece was courtesy of Valcasi - thanks man!

 

[Mistwalker]

Thanks Ken...I hate to participate further in the hi-jacking but since you posted it I gotta ask. It will also work with a bow drill? You should do a thread on that!

 

[hollowdweller]

Thanks Ken...I hate to participate further in the hi-jacking but since you posted it I gotta ask. It will also work with a bow drill? You should do a thread on that!

Check it out:

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/fireboards/abbfungus/index.html

 

[Mistwalker]

Check it out:

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/fireboards/abbfungus/index.html

Ah yes, thanks! I can't believe I had forgotten that one. I need to reread through all of them again...it has been a couple of years since I read that on the fungus stove. Allan may have added a few things since then and I may have other knowledge to see it in a different light now.

I'd still like to see a small piece used with a traditional fire board though...I only know very little about fire bows and am still studying them.

 

[kgd]

In the pics Mistwalk I used the ember from the bow drill to form a coal on the tinder fungus and then use that to blow into tinder. Works great because the tinder fungus won't blow all over like the tiny dust embers of the bow drill.

As too whether you can use the tinder fungus as a hearth for the bow drill, I don't think so. It is just too soft would be my guess.

 

[Mistwalker]

In the pics Mistwalker I used the ember from the bow drill to form a coal on the tinder fungus and then use that to blow into tinder. Works great because the tinder fungus won't blow all over like the tiny dust embers of the bow drill.

Cool, thanks for that info. I'll have to give it a try when I get some :thumbup: .

As too whether you can use the tinder fungus as a hearth for the bow drill, I don't think so. It is just too soft would be my guess.

Shhhhhhhhh, don't tell Allan, he's had some success with it and I'd hate to mess that up by telling him he can't

 

[Odaon]

Wow this stuff is crazy, I'm gonna have to go about finding or trading for some.

 

[Mistwalker]

Wow this stuff is crazy, I'm gonna have to go about finding or trading for some.

Yep..I first said that about two years ago when I first ran across articles on it. Now I'm told I have some on the way. This should be fun .

 

[Shotgun]

Sorry, Shotgun, I was being facetious when I asked what Birch was. At one time or another I've wandered over most of the country, and I've seen Birch trees in many places; just not around here. I think it may be too warm for them in San Diego County. Along stream banks around here we get Poplar/Cottonwoods — and a few other things — but no Birch.

I was trying to be funny, but I guess I missed the mark with that one. I think my point was that our W&SS brethren from other places post a lot of neat stuff that simply doesn't occur in my area, which, technically, is defined as desert. As I've posted several times in different threads I'm simply in awe of all the green in some areas: things here are mostly brown, year 'round. Of course those areas with all the lovely green will soon be white with snow (which will become water to feed the lovely green growth in the spring). Here, it's warm and brown, with no Birch.

That's alright it was probably my fault. I'm not all too quick.

 

[dawsonbob]

That's alright it was probably my fault. I'm not all too quick.

No, I didn't word it as well as I could have.