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Tinder Fungus or Hoof Fungus, Fomes fomentarius

This large bracket fungus attacks mainly birch and is a common site in Sherwood Forest Country Park. This example on a fallen tree has built up over the years and is spreading around the trunk. The flesh was used for lighting fires (it burns very slowly), hence the common name Tinder Fungus. It is also known as Hoof Fungus because of its solid growth pattern. Annual layers of tubes build up to produce a large hoof-shaped structure 10 to 40 cm across and up to 20 cm deep at the centre of the attachment line. The upper infertile surface is grey.