Birch Polypore. Why It's Amazing!

Did you know how many things you can do with the Birch Polypore fungus? It's incredibly versatile. From making fire to wearing as a plaster, to sharpening your knife, to making a healthy tea. It's a fungi that any bushcrafter or wild camper is going to want to get to know well.
In this video James introduces you to the Birch Polypore, tells you where to find it, how to use it and has a go at making a plaster. Have you used this awesome fungi yourself for any purpose? Let me know in the comments.
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[@kollidontagasi]

You didn't mention Chaga, which also exclusively grows on birches and is considered the king of medicinal mushrooms.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Yes Chaga is wonderful stuff. I just haven't had any personal experience of it yet.

[@kollidontagasi]

@@WoodlandClassroom I wonder, does it even grow on the island or are winters maybe not cold enough? Most sources mention the US, Canada and Russia, but they fail to mention northern Europe. I live in Estonia and I'm currently having my Chaga infused morning coffee with Chaga I foraged about a week ago.

[@ici_coop]

Yes Chaga is amazing. We’re lucky to have it in abundance here in New England USA. It can also be found on other trees in the birch family, such as ash, elm, beech, and alder. A little bit goes a long way and can be boiled over & over to extract.

[@jacquelinezhou9405]

That was an awesome and amazing video 🎉

[@GeorgeCoggins]

nibbling the edge is great for joint pains and its also a powerful anti-parasitic especially for whip worms

[@timothylongmore7325]

I find so many of these while foraging chaga and reishi. I have a nice little patch of birch in one of my pastures that supplies all I need. It's unfortunate no one wants them. Many of our choice medicinals are unknown and under utilized.

[@wolfenstein6676]

The birch tree bark is also a great fire-starter aid. Thanks for the video.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

It is, there's so much the birch tree is good for. We should make a video about it.

[@wolfenstein6676]

@@WoodlandClassroom Sounds good to me :) .

[@The_lone_hydrangea]

Fantastic knowledge I’ll be making one soon

[@reflexxuns767]

I just found your channel. Interesting. But all I could think of listening to you and watching you is how much you remind me of the singer, Peter Noone!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much I really really appreciate your knowledge and expertise to help us find out about this amazing fungus. It’s really really fascinating to watch too. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Thanks Mags

[@bluegreenworld333]

Thanks for a really useful video, now I know what I've found 🙂🙂🙂

[@oiputthatback7361]

Wow , I love being out and seeing all the different fungi. We have seen these my partner deemed them “ useless “, until he learnt other wise😅😅. .

[@josephstolar-nz8vu]

Very nice educational presentation, excellent

[@Brucebogtrotterlovescake]

I like the tea made from the polypore it has a slightly coconuty flavour.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Good to know. I've not made it myself yet. It's on the to do list.

[@manonamountain]

Mine tastes like battery acid.

[@Brucebogtrotterlovescake]

@@manonamountain Are you sure you have birch polypore? You have to chop it into small pieces and boil it for 15/20 minutes, the fresher and firmer polypore the better.

[@kellylogan9996]

@@Brucebogtrotterlovescakeone should simmer rather than boil. Too hot of water and the good stuff is killed before you get to ingest.

[@jeremybillingham]

​​@@BrucebogtrotterlovescakeI would say that when I drink the BP tea, the taste more resembles battery acid than it does a coconut kind of taste. 😮

[@joanneroyster9998]

And Chaga can also be found on birch

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Yes, though i don't see it in my local area much. It's one we have to be mindful of foraging as it's not as common as polypore.

[@SmellyCat555]

All the polypores that seem to grow on dead birch in my area is always grey white never brown and with spots but more like hairs underneath

[@tomrochester7381]

I thought “finally, something choice that I’ve seen and can confidently ID, can’t wait to make a nice….. wait, plasters?” Ffs 😂 - a hungry forager

[@WoodlandClassroom]

😂

[@LouiseAdie-zm2jf]

You never mentioned the intensely valuable chaga, found only on birch trees.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Yep, they're pretty special. I've not found chaga myself so didn't want to talk from third hand experience.

[@nightwolf1592]

Excellent video, many thanks from an enthusiastic novice 😊 Forgive my ignorance but I take it that this is different to Chaga?

[@gabby0329.]

Yes, different than Chaga! Chaga also grows on birch but doesn't have the shape of most mushrooms. Chaga usually grows in a clump in wounds of birch trees. With a black exterior & a beautiful golden brown on the inside. Don't be shy to google & do some research. The world of fungi is magical, happy foraging !!

[@timothylongmore7325]

I hope you did some research on chaga. I forage for chaga to sell and use it myself. I hauled out about 30 pounds yesterday. Knee deep snow and I'm almost 63. I started foraging about 7-8 years ago and would get winded going up the stairs. This mushroom as well as reishi , lionsmane, and turkey tail are ones I'm focused on right now but a dozen others are on my radar. The more I learn , the more amazed and impressed. My family and friends think I'm obsessed. They're right.

[@patwoods6487]

Great video. Excellent knowledge. Thank you.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Thank you 🙏

[@GeorgeCoggins]

i find the smoke itself can be medicinal in helping open the airways

[@benjamindejonge3624]

We call them the otzi plasters.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

nice

[@kevinobrien2550]

When would the best time to collect the polypore? Great video.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

when it's mature. If you want ti for firelighting you want an older mushroom that has dried out. For the plaster or stropping tricks you want a fresher specimen

[@tg4941]

Be good for blisters on your feet or toes as it looks spongy.

[@WoodlandClassroom]

that makes sense

[@jeremybillingham]

I don't understand this statement of Birch polypore being used to "keep embers" why would you do that when we have matches and small gas lighters 😮😮

[@WoodlandClassroom]

Hello Jeremy, I'm talking in the context of bushcraft skills, making use of natural materials as our ancestors would have done in the past. I always carry more than one method of ignition when I'm out and about, such as a lighter. It's fascinating to learn how we can find firelighting materials in the woods around us. Polypore works great as an ember keeper, which extends the life of your ember.

[@mannatuu]

you folded the outside onto the skin, so presumably that surface is not as clean

[@KRA-op2mu]

Minecraft irl lol

[@freddy8762]

ρгό𝔪σŞｍ