Polypore & gardening

[DMadden]

Hi guys,
Yesterday I found (what i believe to be) a Birch Polypore (would appretciate conformation about this please )



And just today I (very crudely) butchered the fungus in the hope that one day, when its dry, i'll make a strop.
My question/worry is; that I 'butchered' it in my greenhouse; where i plan to grow tomatos, peppers, and other veg this year...
But was it a bad idea to prepare the polypore where i plan to grow veg??
will the spores of the fungi affect the veg??
should I have realy prepared the polypore else where??

Your reasurance/advice will be much appreciated,
Dan.

 

[Toddy]

Piptoprus betullina

Not toxic and it won't affect your tomatoes
It might affect nearby trees if they've got any damage though, but they don't usually spore until later in the year.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[chickenofthewoods]

Specific to Birch. I think the underside of your specimen looks a bit old though, is it quite dry and tough? It may be worth looking out for a really fresh young specimen that has a soft and much whiter underside to make your strop from (the pores should feel soft, spongy and slightly moist).

 

[DMadden]

Thanks guys! I know what you mean about the underside looking a bit old, but it felt just how you've described; feeling slimy almost, with quite a lot of water coming out when I squeezed it.
So I think I'm just going to see how things go.
Cheers, Dan