View Full Version : Free Cramp ball!
Buckshot
06-06-2005, 08:49
I collected a load of cramp ball fungus yesterday - there's loads of it where I 'keeper.
If anyone would like some, perhaps because it's scarce where you are or you just want to have a look to confirm what it is before you go collecting yourself PM me with your address and I'll send some.
It's wet atm so will need drying out before it can be used.
I think we better restrict this to UK only, I don't know what the rules are for sending overseas and I don't want to get into trouble...
Cheers
Mark
Motorbike Man
06-06-2005, 10:18
PM sent :D
hillwalker
06-06-2005, 10:39
Hi Buckshot,
PM sent :D
Blankfisherman
06-06-2005, 10:44
Hi Buckshot
PM sent
Buckshot
06-06-2005, 11:44
PMs received from
Jason01
boaty
Motorbike Man
Hillwalker
Blankfisherman
Match
Still a couple left if anyone else wants some...
Cheers
Mark
underground
06-06-2005, 12:25
PM sent too!
Buckshot
06-06-2005, 13:51
OK that's about it then.
I'll send this lot out in the next couple of days...
Cheers all
Mark
Bugger only just seen this, my local woods are mainly oak and I can't seem to find cramp ball although I look for it every time I go out. Would you let me know if you come across any more? :)
Scott
Ogri the trog
06-06-2005, 17:40
Damn it all to bits,
The hidden joys of working a night shift :(
Ogri the trog
Biddlesby
06-06-2005, 22:11
Ouch that went fast :). Where can you find Cramp Ball?
Ogri the trog
06-06-2005, 23:51
Good point Biddlesby,
Could some of the members who have regular supplies of these common fungi, point out to those of us that don't (yet) where is the best type of place to find them.
I know that tinder fungus (true & false) grows on birches, but is it best to forrage around lowland woods, plantations, roadsides, chalkdown etc etc?
Most of the fungi that I come across is a very slimey brown goo!
TIA
Ogri the trog
I found out what cramp ball was recently when I did my Greenhorn course, and I realised that it's something that I'd been seeing quite a lot while out laning.
I've been seeing it on the trunks of (mainly) fallen Ash trees, which is where I think it is most common. If I happen to come across a large amount I'll take some and post here. So far I've only taken a small amount for myself and just left the rest, but I made a mental note of which lanes I found it on.
Buckshot
07-06-2005, 08:45
The Cramp ball fungus I collected was on various different dead trees. Ash, Elder, Beech and even Oak. To my knowledge not pines though.
It grows in shady woodland and close to the ground so I presume it's a damp lover! At this time of year it's often hard to see with all the undergrowth so high, does anyone else have 6 foot stingers?
I'm surprised at the takeup of this as well. I'm planning on going out tonight as well so I'll see if I can get some more. I'll let you know.
For those that don't know, let it dry out, it wieghs very little when dry. But be carefull, as it dries, it releases the spores as a black powder. They will get everywhere if you put it loose in the airing cupboard ! :eek: You have been warned...
When dry break it open to reveal what looks like silvery tree rings. Put a spark onto the rings and blow on it. It will glow and you have an ember ! You can use this to light a tinder bundle in the usual way. It's good because it can allow you to have a couple of goes with the one ember if you need to. And it smells nice when it's burning :D
I'm told you can even cook using only cramp ball like charcoal - but I've never tried it. You'd obviously need a fair few !
I'm doing the parcells today/ tomorrow.
Cheers
Mark
Motorbike Man
07-06-2005, 10:08
The Cramp ball fungus I collected was on various different dead trees. Ash, Elder, Beech and even Oak. To my knowledge not pines though.
It grows in shady woodland and close to the ground so I presume it's a damp lover! At this time of year it's often hard to see with all the undergrowth so high, does anyone else have 6 foot stingers?
.............
Cheers
Mark
The stingers round here aren't just 6 foot, they lift weights and box too :eek: :D great for dordage though :rolleyes:
Buckshot
07-06-2005, 11:21
The stingers round here aren't just 6 foot, they lift weights and box too :eek: :D great for dordage though :rolleyes:
:D :D :D
Buckshot
07-06-2005, 16:56
OK, 8 of the 9 packages are out in the post today first class.
Hope you enjoy them
Cheers
Mark
Ogri the trog
07-06-2005, 17:40
Buckshot,
Even though I was too late to get onto your mailing list, I'd like to thank you for this very generous gesture. It's not often that people will make an offer like you have. You've restored a little of the lost faith in society.
Cheers Buddy
Ogri the trog
Aw, shucks...go on then :rolleyes:
I can probably get a good harvest from the Ash tree behind our stables this week and will dry them too.
Bucks, mate what are you sending the balls out in? boxed I assume? :confused:
Got a couple of hundred rabbits if anyone wants one ;) They go round in gangs here, picking on the buzzards etc. :D :o
PM me for the cramp balls..got some in the garage that can go at the weekend
Buckshot,
Even though I was too late to get onto your mailing list, I'd like to thank you for this very generous gesture. It's not often that people will make an offer like you have. You've restored a little of the lost faith in society.
Cheers Buddy
Ogri the trog
........ Precisely. :D
Buckshot
08-06-2005, 08:40
Buckshot,
Even though I was too late to get onto your mailing list, I'd like to thank you for this very generous gesture. It's not often that people will make an offer like you have. You've restored a little of the lost faith in society.
Cheers Buddy
Ogri the trog
No problem Ogri,
I figured that I'd taken sooooo much out of this forum it's about time I offered something in return. :)
Bucks, mate what are you sending the balls out in? boxed I assume?
Actually, I'm wrapping them in some bubblewrap and then in an A5 envelope. Keeps the postage cost to about 30p.
I went out last night and collected some more. :D
If Young Bushman, Ogri and Biddlesby want to send me a PM with your postal address I'll send some out to you.
If anyone else wants some too there's some left....
Up to you.
Cheers
Mark
Mine arrived today! Interesting stuff, I see what you mean about it being sooty. I'll be trying it out as soon as its dried.
Thanks again Buckshot :D
Buckshot
08-06-2005, 11:23
My pleasure
Have fun :D
Mark
Buckshot,
Have you got any left?
Motorbike Man
08-06-2005, 12:09
Mine arrived today Buckshot, many thanks, it answers a few questions for me as I saw a load while out for a walk the other week, but wasn't 100% sure that's what they were.
Now I just have to remember where they were :rolleyes:
i will bring a bundle to the dartmoor meet if anyone wants them!
Buckshot
08-06-2005, 13:50
Buckshot,
Have you got any left?
Yep, just enough.
PM your address and I'll send some.
That's another 7 names.
Young Bushman
Ogri the trog
Biddlesby
Luxorone
Grez
EDS
Adge
I hope to get these out tomorrow if poss - as long as I have the addresses.
Jason01, perhaps we can come to a deal on one of your steels? ;)
Cheers
Mark
I've been asked to pass on the info that the fungus weevil Platyrhinus resinosus relies on cramp balls for its life cycle so it might a nice eco-friendly thing to only collect a minimum of cramp balls and not denude one dead tree/area.
Not intending to point fingers, just passing on some info. :)
Jason01, perhaps we can come to a deal on one of your steels? ;)
Cheers
Mark
LOL Im sure we can sort something out, I'll drop you a PM
Cheers
mine was waiting for me when I got home.
Cheers Buckshot
Ogri the trog
08-06-2005, 22:59
Buckshot,
What a star, PM sent with greatest thanks.
I promise to find some of my own ;)
ATB
Ogri the trog
Buckshot
09-06-2005, 08:42
I've been asked to pass on the info that the fungus weevil Platyrhinus resinosus relies on cramp balls for its life cycle so it might a nice eco-friendly thing to only collect a minimum of cramp balls and not denude one dead tree/area.
Not intending to point fingers, just passing on some info. :)
I agree completely NB and good advice.
When I collected it all, it came from vaious sources in several woods and I only ever took no more than half of what was there at each place. And often no where near that.
Cheers
Mark
underground
09-06-2005, 09:05
All arrived safe and sound, thanks Buckshot!
I didn't know they were known as cramp balls- I was introduced to it as King Arthur's cakes, Daldinia concentrica
Excellent - arrived yesterday all safe and sound! Many thanks Buckshot for this generous offer!
By he way, for anyone looking to prepare them, see this old thread:
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=5785
Buckshot
09-06-2005, 10:58
All arrived safe and sound, thanks Buckshot!
I didn't know they were known as cramp balls- I was introduced to it as King Arthur's cakes, Daldinia concentrica
Yeah, the other common name is King Alfred's cake, because he was the one who burnt the cake !
Glad they're getting there. The last lot are being sent out today.
Cheers
Mark
Joined up to late to take advantage of this kind offer! if it becomes available again I would be very interested! if possible could you let me know
Cheers
underground
09-06-2005, 13:27
Sorry, King Alfred. No wonder I could hardly find anything on Google to check if they were the same thing!!!
hillwalker
09-06-2005, 15:26
Buckshot,
Many Thanks
They arrived this Morning. :D
Ogri the trog
10-06-2005, 07:31
Ditto the above,
Thank you Buckshot
Ogri the trog
Buckshot
10-06-2005, 08:42
A pleasure :D
Glad to be of help
Cheers
Mark
it just turned up. many thanks.
Same here, thanks Buckshot. :)
Biddlesby
10-06-2005, 18:45
Yup gottit safe and sound.
It's odd - very black, and very hard. Somebody described it as "horse poo".
Thanks alot :D.
Earth Mother
12-06-2005, 10:13
Thanks loads Buckshot - can't wait to try them out. I've been looking for them on living Ash and not fallen ones - d'oh!
Buckshot
13-06-2005, 08:41
Glad they've arrived.
Make sure they're dry before you use them or they'll not work!
Horse poo - yes I can see what you mean :)
Cheers
Mark
Mine arrived on Friday - cheers
I'm going to try some of the spores on the dead ash stump in the garden.
Thanks very much Buckshot. It arrived Saturday but I had to go pick it up from the post office today. :)
Grez..