Chaga in Lapland

A brief introduction to the chaga fungus

[@redcanoe14]

I have some Chaga on my 20 acres in Southern BC, Canada. I am sure it must be more common where you are. I was told Chaga should be harvested in the coldest days of winter as it improves its potency. It can be ground up in a mortar and pestle, or ground in a coffee grinder, which may extract more beneficials when brewed. That said, if you want it for tinder it is good to brew chunks which can be boiled several times for a brew then dried out and used as tinder. Thanks for a great video!

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

I have heard that it's more potent in the winter and it can also be easier to spot without all of the leaves on the trees. Better not to boil it too they say, less beneficial that way (supposedly). That's why I brew it in a flask generally. I also find it doesn't make as good a tinder once brewed and dried.

[@bladesandmore8833]

Great look at the chaga Kuukkeli. It is really neat how you hunt out these interesting different things in the woods! I enjoy it!

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed the video Mark. Thanks for watching.

[@bladesandmore8833]

@@KuukkeliBushcraft Keep it up I enjoy your uploads!

[@thenomadsurvivalist4459]

That’s one hell of a ferro Rod 😁👍

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

No it's just I am really small 😂. No its massive, throws a lot of very hot sparks, I think it was maybe a poor choice for the chaga though where one well aimed spark would do. Great for things like poorly made feather sticks though. More control with a smaller rod. More sparks with a bigger one. Thanks for watching mate, hope you are well.

[@WaltRevenJr]

I have read and seen so many things about this stuff, I believe I am too far south though and not sure that it even grows down here. Beasley was watching you again lol and doing that head turning thing. She for surely recognizes "Tims" voice now haha. I would love it though if she was like my previous dog Stormy and just lay on her dog bed in the living room while I watched these on the television but instead she just sits there and barks constantly at us lol. I think shes mad cause she cant fit into the small chair with us when we watch tv. Awesome video as always mate, hope you are well!!

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

It's a kind of nice feeling that there is a dog that recognises my voice over there in Arkansass. I am pretty sure you are much too far south to get chaga I am afraid. It seems to get commoner the further north you go. It's as rare as rocking horse crap in England but fairly common up here, can be hard to spot. You seem to get an eye for it after a while though. Thanks for watching Walt, say hi to Beasly for me.

[@WaltRevenJr]

Yea way too far south for it. You are welcome, its funny though certain people she recognizes in videos and some she can care less about...dogs can be odd lol

[@gray1576]

Hi Tim, how are you pal. Sorry I've not been around much, great video as always, your looking well, hope to see you soon. Much respect.

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

Great to hear from you Gray, all good here. I hope you are well too. Will be back in the UK soonish, will give you a shout.

[@JJ_OUTDOORS]

Great vid my friend very insightful and informative thanks for sharing atb jj

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

Thank you for watching mate, glad you liked it.

[@JJ_OUTDOORS]

@@KuukkeliBushcraft always my friend tou know that ...jj

[@wildedibles819]

It does make good tinder... I think if I remember you can use it after you make tea too if you dry it out beside the wood stove... I sometimes put it in animals water bowls to to prevent worms I've heard not sure if it works or not tho... It does not hurt cats or dogs in their water but it can get a little acidy when you drink too much so I only put the spent conk in their water bowls

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

I have been told that it doesn't work as a tinder once it has been made into tea. Strange though as I seem to remember trying it and it working (years ago). I will experiment some more with that.

[@wildedibles819]

@@KuukkeliBushcraft ya I read that too I think it depends on how much you take out of it... The oils would be still in there a bit with water extraction or tea but a bit less and if dried out it still be tinder... I will try it too and let you know it's been awhile

[@wildedibles819]

I find chaga keeps birch trees alive longer here keeps the honey mushrooms out of the tree until it dies... My observations anyway... The tree will have a shorter than reg life but it still fairs better than the birch that gets attacked by honey mushrooms

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

Interesting observation, we really don't get many honey mushrooms in Lapland. We get a different species of honey mushroom (Armillaria borealis), but it is quite rare. Thanks for watching and for commenting as well as expanding my knowledge a little on birch tree ecology. All the best Tim

[@wildedibles819]

@@KuukkeliBushcraft that's what I love about sharing with people all over the world... Me and my hubby have a chaga video too if you are interested

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

@@wildedibles819 I think that was one of the first videos of yours that I watched when I first subscribed to your channel.

[@wildedibles819]

@@KuukkeliBushcraft cool I really enjoyed your video too... glad you seen mine even if I have a bad memory lol... I love seeing and sharing knowledge thanks so much

[@samppasalainen1279]

Tilattu.

[@KuukkeliBushcraft]

Kiitos😊