Minecraft Forums

Ok, so I'm a bit interested in fungi, and study it as a hobby. The other day I was reading about one of my favorite types, Fomes Fomentarius, which grows on birch (But can grow on almost any tree if planted so).


INFO:
Other than just being aesthetic and decorational to the environment, Fomes Fomentarius has a very, very practical use. Within it's hard, outer shell is a soft, leathery core, which burns extremely hot. Hotter than coal. Because of this it was an unbelievably sought after resource in the middle ages.
The leathery core can also be used to create clothing, and has various medicinal purposes.

If this was added in-game, we'd have nice way to basically "farm" coal for large building projects. Going to make an underwater glass sphere? Better go harvest your Birch Fungi farm first!

Another bonus is that you can craft leather from it by placing 3x3 pieces in the crafting bench. This would allow players who want to play "neutral" and "vegetarian" (No killing of animals, meat, etc.) to get leather!

Also, it could be an ingredient in potions. More on that later.

It only spawns on birch trees, but can be planted on any sort of tree, although, it grows faster on birch (5 min to full grown on birch, 15 on any other tree). - Courtesy of user "skgr"

-3D Model IN PROGRESS!-

UPDATE:
Ok, so I've been given quite a bit of questions so I'll go ahead and answer them here.

Q: Would it burn longer than coal? - Withnothing
A: No, that would be far to over-powered. Since it's growable (renewable), it should burn less. Otherwise no one will ever mine coal again. I suggest 1 Mushroom Core should smelt 4 Items.

Q: Can you plant it too? - Withnothing/Coga19000
A: Yep, just like cocoa beans. They'd only spawn on Birch, but can be planted on any tree.

Q: How would they multiply? - Coga19000
A: They would spread around the tree, unlike cocoa beans which drop more "seeds" than originally planted, mushrooms would spread slowly. Basically, just like red and brown mushrooms already do.

Q: How do you get the soft, ignitable core? - Coga19000
A: Crafting. Just put it in and it'll be refined to the "leather" core. Just like crushing bones to bonemeal.

Q: Could you actually make leather armor from it? - Coga19000
A: Considering the piece of leather is only 3-5 inches, I'd doubt it would be sufficient. Scratch that, read the info above for why!

Q: What would its exact "medicinal purposes" be in Minecraft? - Coga19000
A: Well, it could be used in potions? Not quite sure how. Nausea? Fire Resistance? Instant Heal?



EDIT:
Many thanks to Ammar04 for a sig banner!

Support, it would give Birch trees an advantage over the other trees.

Quote from GeneralBacon9

Support, it would give Birch trees an advantage over the other trees.

Yep, Jungle wood has that advantage already, and oak is the only type to drop apples. About time birch got it's 15 minutes of fame. Poor pine though, maybe they'll have it drop pinecones in the future?

Quote from Wackywocky555a

Yep, Jungle wood has that advantage already, and oak is the only type to drop apples. About time birch got it's 15 minutes of fame. Poor pine though, maybe they'll have it drop pinecones in the future?

Woah bro, it's spruce.

Quote from Wackywocky555a

Yep, Jungle wood has that advantage already, and oak is the only type to drop apples. About time birch got it's 15 minutes of fame. Poor pine though, maybe they'll have it drop pinecones in the future?

I think Spruce trees are the "tall but not too tall so that it will take forever to cut down" trees.

Quote from GeneralBacon9

I think Spruce trees are the "tall but not too tall so that it will take forever to cut down" trees.

Ehhh, you still gotta do a bit of building to get to the top bits, so I try not to chop them 'cause I'm lazy. But back on topic, I think this is a good idea. So, support.

Yeah, I like this idea. So, would it burn longer than coal? I think it'd have to, because it'd be a lot easier to just get charcoal if you're using trees.

So you can plant it too? Or does it just sometimes spawn on a birch tree naturally or one that you grow?

Either way, I love this idea.

For those who find this suggestion interesting, please hit the little support button in the bottom right corner of the top post. It's the only way to actively measure support here and helps out quite a bit to spread the idea.

Could use in potion recipes too. Support!

Quote from ArrogantLobster

Could use in potion recipes too. Support!

Yeah, they do have a hard, outer shell. Could be used in a Potion of Defense or something?

Maybe you have to do something to it to get the coal

Sure, I support.
It would be more realistic if it was added.

And, another type of fungi!

Laetiporus gilbertsonii

Nice idea, I think it should be called "tree fungus" to make things more simple. After this, we should have somthing for pine trees, because then there would be a real reson to go out and get ALL the wood.

Quote from Wackywocky555a

Yep, Jungle wood has that advantage already, and oak is the only type to drop apples. About time birch got it's 15 minutes of fame. Poor pine though, maybe they'll have it drop pinecones in the future?

Pine?

By the way, spruce trees are part of the pine family. Oh wait, sci- Whoops. I forgot that I'm on the minecraft forums and not you tube.
In a nutshell: Use science, get hated on by thousands of creationists. I get you have a different belief, but could they at least respect OURS?

What could they be used for?
I like Deonyi's idea!

Quote from Deonyi

Huh?

And yes, spruc could drop pinecones or maybe they could spawn rarely.

You know, this fungi could make the potion of nausea!

So, it would be used for armor and fuel in a furnace?

Yes, but they should only spawn on birch trees (since they're less common than the other tress anyways).
It could craft leather armor, or serve as a fuel (but not as good as coal. We can't have a continuous supply of fuel like that which burns so long).