This Fungus will Blow Your Mind: Bushcraft Skills | Primitive Survival | Foraging

This fungus, also known as the coal fungus, has been used as a survival resource by our ancestors for thousands of years. Daldinia Concentrica is commonly found on decaying ash trees here in Britain. During the early stages of its growth, it is light brown in colour and incredible hard. But after a season or two, it begins to change to a dark black colour. This is the point at which you can harvest it for use with fire lighting. The concentric lines within the fruit body can catch a spark from a flint and steel or ferro rod, and this coal will smoulder for many hours. It can then be transferred to a tinder bundle to get your fire going. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors carried this smouldering fungus with them as they moved from camp to camp. This meant that they could get a fire going relatively easily where ever they decided to set up their camp. It's a fantastic bushcraft resource and one you should keep in mind when you are out in the wilderness.
The cramp ball fungus can be picked and dried out during winter (best not to do this during sporing season, which is spring to august) and you can take it with you as part of your fire lighting kit.
Watch more Bushcraft & Survival Tip Videos: • WILDERNESS SURVIVAL TI...
TA OUTDOORS BUSHCRAFT & CAMPING GEAR SHOP: www.taoutdoors.com/shop/
TA OUTDOORS MERCHANDISE: taofficial.com
TA Fishing Channel: / tafishing
My Bushcraft, Survival and Filming Gear (Amazon): www.amazon.com/shop/taoutdoors
These are amazon affiliate links
INSTAGRAM: / taoutdoorofficial
FACEBOOK: / totallyawesomeoutdoors
TWITTER: / outdoorsta
#bushcraft #survival #camping #taoutdoors

[@TAOutdoors]

This is part of a new and ongoing mini series of short videos on Bushcraft & Survival Skills. Keep up to date with episodes here: kzbin.info/aero/PLxnadpeGdTxAJy5_f_-6cjrAnuWRwUf8M The big videos and overnights will still happen. These are just an added extra. Some skills you might know, some are not that well known at all. Subscribe and tick the bell to be notified when they get uploaded! Cheers - Mike

[@cameronabblitt9727]

What would be good parts of the UK to find the fungus

[@Karla-Flr]

Super Video !

[@samjones8419]

Hey mike do u think I Can ever met u in bramshill

[@TOMakaSANTA]

I would be hesitant to twirl a live coal, as you did. I would fear it flying off to parts unknown and beginning a fire. Enjoyed the video

[@Rider3322]

Was still useful for me even though I already knew about this little gem. Went straight to my jar where I have some and found I had labelled it under natural tinder, was supposed to be labelled natural fire lighter! So, thanks for this video, I may not of noticed that otherwise :D

[@cloudsRniceC0M3]

my hippie friend has some "fungus that will blow your mind"

[@TAOutdoors]

🤣

[@sebastienc6955]

they are the best ones

[@RichieRich-ug2wr]

Chocolate covered like Reese’s pieces cups ? 🤔🤔

[@danphillips6167]

Lol I'm to old for that stuff now

[@RichieRich-ug2wr]

@@danphillips6167 never retreat never surrender my friend !

[@tomgillespie195]

This is why I want to do more Forrest camping

[@tomgillespie195]

@SURREY CROSSING I’ve looked into that a bit I think burdock is the best from me

[@robertlee8400]

Here in the states as well as Canada we have Chaga , it grows on birch trees & you can use it as a fire starter & shave off piece,s & make a nutritional cup of tea or coffee , it has a lot of vitamins and minerals in it & it taste great

[@carlomayer2694]

It's a natural medicine for cancer and quite expensive so I wouldn't use it as a fire starter.

[@sonofabear]

Yes! I Kept a coal going in a similar fungus for a few hours. I was at a bonfire and people were amazed that I started a fire without any lighters or flint. haha

[@VotteyDaily]

Hi i like ❤️

[@JJ-ef7lb]

What did you use to ignite the fungus?

[@Raven_Leblanc]

As a biologist, I am very pleased, great video!

[@parnold-mora8924]

I've read that our early ancestors could carry fungus embers from camp to camp but no one ever elaborated. This is the first video that actually demonstrated how they managed that. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@barrybaldwin5535]

Here in Western Massachusetts we use Chaga Fungus. It not only makes great embers, but it makes a flavorful tea when boiled!

[@ATHOSOutdoorProspector]

It's the best way to light a fire! 👌🔥

[@N8URNURD]

We have something similar up here in Canada, Fomes Fomentarius, or Horse Hoof Fungus, which when dry catches a spark very easily and retains it. Chaga can also do the same thing. I have some of both in my fire tin.

[@patrickevans8940]

Great tip Every day is a school day 👍

[@Ianman1975]

Super informative vid Mike, great job as always, keep them coming and stay safe buddy👍

[@BraxxJuventa]

Thanks for sowing us this Mike! 👍😁

[@MedeniFilm]

10:15 - Super... Bravo !

[@k9six185]

Our ash trees here in the USA are almost all dead due to the emerald ash borer.......another gift from Asia.....

[@brainclerk4431]

not all free gifts are wanted it would seem

[@dorothyculbertson5640]

Cool video Mike, love being subbed to your channel, learning different ideas to teach my grandbabies, who often watch with me, hope your New Year has started off well, we all need a positive to focus on this year for sure, you guys take care, best to you and yours. God Bless ❤️

[@shaunburton1112]

loving the slight format change, reminds me of the British forestry documentaries I used to watch with my grandad when I was younger :) keep up the good work

[@tammaragill9347]

GREAT video Mike! Thanks for making it. Very informative.

[@TheNecessaryEvil]

"This one should be ready next winter." Me: guess I'll freeze.

[@miriam514]

Wonderful video, thank you so much for describing this fungus and it's properties. It actually looks like a lot of fun to play with, I'm sure that's why you were spinning it.

[@Wilma5532]

He was spinning it because he wanted to get that ember going

[@billyandrew]

@@Wilma5532 Bartek, sorry to break it to you, but you missed the joke. 😂

[@JupiterLune]

I know them as "King Alfred's Cakes", as the look like burnt buns!

[@jimmyh8090]

That's what I call them as well👍

[@Darthmiller1978]

That's what we call them too

[@patrickj8984]

@@Darthmiller1978 and me!

[@RickshawMunky]

Same here 👍

[@bettytimberman8210]

Thank you didn't that .I learn something every time I watch your show.God bless you and your family

[@wrxs1781]

Another great video, and from a Canadian perspective the winter Firestarter bar none is the paper like bark from a silver birch, not sure that they are native to the UK. Also we have a much sought after birch fungus called "chaga" it is supposed to be a natural cure all.

[@frankcole3655]

I always enjoy the videos there interesting and well done without profanity. I really enjoyed the ones with father and son together

[@gailembleton662]

Great bit of Knowledge... THANK YOU. 👍

[@BocageTiger]

Great video; thanks for posting!

[@rz3101]

Excellent description on the charcoal fungus Just love the video really!

[@sosteve9113]

a cool fungus indeed, personally use the Inonotus obliquus, also known as chaga best wishes for 2021

[@VotteyDaily]

Hi ilove ❤️

[@joseph8208]

That's amazing! I wasn't expecting it to go up like that.

[@private15]

Thanks!

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Great video Mike thank you.

[@kjpcgaming9296]

What a great episode. Very informative :)

[@muddyfunster69]

Fantastic stuff ! Always enjoy your adventures and educational vids !

[@richardmacyczko1580]

I love natural alternate ways to start a fire. Thank you. I can't find anywhere in Florida that has ash trees. Time for a road trip. Happy 2021 Mike.

[@vivianramsay2527]

Excellent info! I won't pass these by ever again!!

[@larryeddings3185]

Excellent information. Thanks for sharing.

[@ArielleViking]

What a wonderful firelighing fungus. Awesome video, I love the bracken birds nest. 👍❤

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Nice return to a basic bushcraft resource!

[@kevinobrien6714]

A great use of nature.

[@b2bogster]

Your videos are great man! Thank for sharing looking forward to more!

[@isaacharkton6169]

Great video as always mate

[@erikhutchinson4185]

keep these kinds of videos in your play list. they are great info

[@MarcOLoerke]

Good educational work...time to acknolwledge..for educational measures for our kids...thanks and hugs

[@ericallan1373]

Good info, here in Canada our ash trees are being killed off by the emerald ash borer. Therefore we have an abundance of rotting ash trees.

[@Bizzareshorts]

Im also Canadian do we have the coal fungus here

[@musingwithreba9667]

And lits of dead ash!

[@billyandrew]

*Eric Allan* Better get collecting. You might want to purchase a few of those small bags of silica to make sure your harvest stays dry.

[@juanmora8438]

Amazing discovering, I will keep in mind for the future. Thanks.

[@freddyoutdoors]

Always on the look out for them

[@LiLBitsDK]

oh I thought it was "other kinds" of fungus you talked about that "blew" ya mind ;-)

[@robertbalasko7243]

Verry good one again! thanks!

[@khaerulikhwan]

Feel enjoy and relaxing

[@agatagarcia4454]

Cheers 🍻!!! And thank you!!! Don't worry, I'm fine... 😎

[@tumbleweed0u812]

Excellent info, thank you

[@dgthall]

Excellent bushcraft video! :D

[@waynethompson8416]

Been meaning to suggest that you make some videos like this one since you can do a lot even from your home that is bushcraft related...how to's and such. Glad you did this one, and good to know that even if you suffer an increased lockdown situation, you still can make videos.

[@TAOutdoors]

Thanks Wayne, luckily I saw this lockdown coming so I went out and made quite a few films which should cover this lockdown period

[@tinaladybug8392]

Thanks for sharing ! Good to know!

[@eliassmyrneos1247]

Amazing ,thanks for sharing‼️👍

[@briansweeney2291]

Wow cool idea the fungus never knew anything about it thanks for the information

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

In medieval times it was also a natural pigment to make a brown ink. Mother Nature....she's a good'in. 💞 Happy new year to all xx

[@billyandrew]

Thanks, Moira! 👍

[@sinkswim1798]

Best content!

[@TAOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

Great content here! Much love from Switzerland

[@billyandrew]

Excellent vid and very informative.

[@mattiekidd3384]

Thanks for sharing this video had not a clue about that really great info

[@dokday191]

Thanks bro

[@OutdoorsmanDave]

We don't have Daldina concentrica in New Zealand (we do have Ash trees though) but rather a variant called Daldina dennissii. I've not seen any but will now keep an eye out since your vid, thanks. We have prolific Horseshoe fungi though (fumes fomenarius) but preparation is so intensive, a box of matches wins ;-)

[@walkaboutphilpots3795]

i love stuff like this super !

[@naturalist7022]

Nice one, Mike, I look forward to the series. When you swished it round it sounded just like an aeroplane! haha

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Daldinia concentrica is not common in the US , but I live in Kent part of the year and occasionally find them . Their history is most interesting and they work great for fire after being charred . Thanks for your video and all the best.

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Awesome! Now I'll be on the hunt for this!

[@FemDeku1969]

That was cool and very informative I liked it

[@sixthsenseUK]

Great video. Well done.

[@e.3443]

Would be great seeing a video on how to identify different trees.

[@vikingbushcraft1911]

Great video!

[@michaelkeryger141]

Very impressed and learned 🙏

[@suecollado8696]

💓Very clever & amazing what nature gives us💓PLEASE can you show & teach us how to recognise different trees💓From bark to leaves💓

[@clevermcgenericname891]

I love your tutorials

[@snj6669]

Amazing 👏

[@herbsmith6871]

That was a great informative video 🤠

[@reidyboi2269]

woah crazy

[@maidenwigan]

Fantastic informative video👍best of luck for 2021 from Wigan.

[@gabba5423]

Wow thanks for the information 💁‍♀️

[@clintonminer7636]

Excellent video

[@jimstewart5739]

Excellent,

[@forestgyrl]

Great video :)

[@nobodynever4326]

Really good video by a really fun guy I'll show myself out thanks

[@AndyWardle]

There’s not “mush room” for comments like that. I’ll show myself out too.

[@kerrienash3624]

Brilliant 👍

[@ironspider3342]

Love your vids Neat content

[@colinlawrence2186]

Awesome video i really enjoyed it very informative 👍 God bless you and stay safe out there 🙋‍♂️ 🇺🇸

[@peterm13]

Great presentation. You got a new subscriber.

[@agustinfleitasportillo920]

Greetings from Uruguay, it was very good the video I followed so Saxon if that's what I can call you, a genius hug!

Thanks, 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@barryconway]

Interesting. Enjoyed this, ta. I remember seeing - a good few years back, a (speculative?) 'reconstruction' of how primitive peoples carry fire with them from camp to camp - can't really remember the details, but I'm sure that it was a similar fungus (a polypore perhaps?) that took a spark and smouldered *really* slowly, more slowly than those cramp balls (King Alfred's Cakes!) - might even have been an early Ray Mears thing? Google has failed me so far (o;

[@BushcraftHakankarahan]

👏👏👏

[@weyman9868]

Love this video, wish you would do more like it. Atb Stuart

[@cameronabblitt9727]

Cool

[@tombarrett3077]

... Good stuff Mike.... Glad to see you're out and about.... Are you going to do another base camp build with Dustin and your dogs and your beers and all your absolute feasts..... Really enjoyed the Viking build and the Saxon build videos..... Finding your channel was a terrific way to get through the lockdowns.... Please keep posting.... Best of luck in the new year

[@TAOutdoors]

Yeah we’ve got an overnight in the roundhouse that we will hopefully do soon

[@Screch]

Super interesting

[@allanlorenio8230]

Nice one bruhh you give me idea to leave simple one of subscribr from Philippines good luck to your vlogs journey 👍👍👍👍

[@leabarto8156]

This is very interesting!

[@TheFBNL]

Dude! Love you videos! 😁✌

[@nicolrogers9986]

That is so cool I'm going to have a look and find some awesome Video

[@arzian14]

Like👍good info