Garden Pictures Pictures by all members (42030 photos)

These are commonly called "fairy stool" or "artists conk". They are sometimes dried, varnished and sold as ornament or jewellery. "The off white underside of dried specimens scratches a darker colour underneath, and artists sketch pictures on them. The fungus is then set on edge--where it had been fastened to the tree--to display the drawing. These fetch good prices." From Gene Logsdon's Practical Skills, A Revival of Forgotten Crafts, Techniques, and Traditions. It's a folk tradition in N.A. lol. They tell you where the dead wood is.

Thanks Lori - I don't know of any areas over here where it's a folk tradition! maybe I'd better strat one in Somerset. Do you think it'll catch on? Or else I could wear it myself.... :-D

I,d buy one Spritzhenry for my fairy tree lol

hehehe i thought it was an old dish ud put out2feed the birds on lol