A tree question ?

[Andrew]

Spotted this unusual growth on a tree , do you have any idea what it could be ?

Looks like a birds nest, but no entry hole and the bottom is very hard, ?

 

 

And another tree with same type of growth

 

Edited August 4, 2011 by Andrew

[DavyR]

Wasp nest?

[chesters1]

fungus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fomes_fomentarius

 

not seen that one myself out and about but plenty of bracket fungus usually on old birch

Edited August 4, 2011 by chesters1

[Worms]

fungus

Very interesting, a useful angling fungus. it is known as Hoof or tinder fungus, Fomes fomentarius usually on birch in Scotland and northern England (yet I found some on birch in Wolverhampton last year). In the south it is more often found on beech and sycamore. It is uncommon and inedible but, as the name suggests can be used as tinder by cutting away the hard outer layer and the pores. The brown material left is then shaved or pounded flat and used as tinder....the brown material is also known as amadou and has remarkable water absorbing properties.....when soaked in washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃) for a week or two and pounded flat it forms a felt like material that you can use to dry your dry flies with!

Edited August 4, 2011 by Worms

[chesters1]

you can burn the tree as well

[Worms]

you can burn the tree as well

And tap the sap to make wine

[yorkio]

The brown material left is then shaved or pounded flat and used as tinder....the brown material is also known as amadou and has remarkable water absorbing properties.....when soaked in washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃) for a week or two and pounded flat it forms a felt like material that you can use to dry your dry flies with!

Fascinating stuff! I knew amadou was a fungus, but I had no idea which one or how it was prepared.

[Andrew]

Thanks chaps, a mystery solved.

[Worms]

Thanks chaps, a mystery solved.

Andrew, if it's easily accessible, knock the fungal bodies off the tree and process it, or post it to me ....it's a bit scarce in my area and I practice the dark art sometimes!

[Phone]

All,

 

With a proper section of DEAD tree still attached those "gizzmos" are highly prized in the artist community. A friend who is "crossover" to both communities, fishing and art, put me onto them. I got $100 for three just for picking them up a couple years back.

 

Phone