make an emergency band+aid from tree fungus

[jay-pheno]

via : http://www.instructables.com/id/Maki...-in-the-woods/





First, identification & history

Silver birches are perhaps the most recogniseable of the woodland trees. It's a pioneer species which is often found in new areas of woodland. They grow quick and have several bush craft uses - namely their bark but you can also tap a birch tree in the spring for a fresh sugary drink.

Birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus) is a bracket fungus found often on (here's a surprise here!) birch or oak trees. It is quite destructive - parasitic even - and you'll often find it on already fallen trees or in dying groves of birch trees. During my morning walk today we found several groves of dying birches - most of which had snapped in half and come tumbling down. There's nothing you can do about this, it's nature clearing the woods for a stronger species.

The fungus starts out budding like a ball, but soon folds over to make a distinctive, smooth rim around the pore surface.

Taking bracket fungus really isn't going to harm the tree or the spore - though you should only ever take what you need.

Its uses go back centuries as a firestarter*, but it can also be used for sharpening razors (as a strop) or as we've said, as a plaster!

*5,300 years ago (approx) a guy named by the researchers as Otzi was murdered in the alps. Preserved perfectly, among his possessions was powdered birch poly pore which was used in fire lighting





Cutting a strip

It's not difficult to cut fresh polypore, it's quite tough through but don't put too much pressure, you don't want to stick your knife through into your hand. Make four slices the width and length you require your plaster, then slide the knife under the cut (start a little further back than the first incision.

Make sure your knife is clean, you won't be using the top surface but the freshly cut surface which should be clean and relatively sterile.




Application

I wasn't going to cut myself for my instructable...

But I did put one on to show you the method in my madness.

When applying, stretch slightly and gently squeeze and the polypore will bind to itself. You can reinforce with cordage/grass/bark whatever you've got on you really.

There are otherways - using pine resin etc but birch polypore is nice neat and less sticky to deal with.

Have fun in the woods and don't forget :-

- Always take a first aid kit,
- Take care
- and most importantly leave no trace!

http://www.instructables.com/id/S6596W2FZG436Z8/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piptoporus_betulinus