Often found on dead Birch or Beech trees here in the UK, the Horse hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius) can be a treasure trove of practical uses for the woods person.
Another widely used name for the horse hoof bracket is the false tinder fungus. This does no justice whatsoever to the incredible potential of the prepared fungus to catch even the faintest spark!
The true tinder fungus (Inonotus obliquus), Birch Conk or ‘Chaga’ is quoted by many as being superior to the prepared horse hoof, and is another species that can be found growing on Birch. It is not nearly so plentiful in British woodlands however
As you would expect there are many processes for preparing the horse hoof for tinder. Most involve removing the hard outer cuticle layer and the spore tubes to leave the soft felt-like mid layer or ‘trama’.
I tend to lean towards techniques that require as little fuss and preparation as is practical when out in the woods and have rarely troubled myself to boil, pound, and lace my amadou with additives such as salt peter and urine.
What could be simpler than slicing away the cuticle from a young fresh hoof fungus, chopping the spore tubes away from the underside of the trama and then gently teasing the soft brown felt-like material until it begins to soften, stretch and exapnd.
This entire process can be completed in less than 30 minutes and the resulting amadou tinder is often dry and ready to use by the time it has has softened from working.
