Tinder Conk

Tinder Conk Care

Fomes Fomentarius

What is the plant

Fomes fomentarius, also referred to as hoof fungus, tinder fungus, horsehoof tinder fungus, horse fungus, false tinder fungus, tinder conk, tinder polypore, and ice man fungus, is a fungal pathogen that infects various tree species. Hoof fungus produces distinct fruiting bodies that are generally shaped like a horse’s hoof. The pathogen infects susceptible trees through branch or bark wounds. Once established, the fungus causes a stem rot, which typically culminates in the death of the host. After the host has expired, the pathogen becomes a saprotroph, decaying the rest of the organic matter.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Part Sun

Difficulty

Hard

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The fruiting bodies produce yellow spores, which are released in abundance when conditions are sufficiently moist.
Pruning
Culling infected trees may prevent the fungus from spreading, and achieve some control.
Soil
Hoof fungus infects numerous trees. In the northern part of its range, its primary host is birch. In the southern part of its range, hoof fungus favors beech trees, particularly those that are suffering from beech bark disease. Oak, maple, cherry, hickory, lime tree, poplar, willow, alder, hornbeam, sycamore, and select conifers are also infected, albeit with less frequency.

Disease diagnosis

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Additional
There is little published information on potential safety concerns relating to F. fomentarius use, which could be taken to mean that medicinal use of the fungus is safe, but is hardly a guarantee. The fruiting body is generally described as inedible, but it is not described as poisonous or toxic. Most likely, it is the woody texture and acrid taste that prevent it from being table fare, not any actual danger.Users should still exercise caution, however, since there could be unknown risks, and even generally safe fungi could still cause allergies or over-sensitivities in some individuals.
Popularity
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