These three free, underutilized natural tinders are easy to locate and identify. They span most of the United States, including the northern forests. I’ve seen them in Europe, Australia, and Russia.
Optimal tinder sources include birch bark, poplar and cedar bark, cottonwood seedpods, and old man’s beard. These natural tinders will readily take a spark from a Ferro rod, and especially an open flame. They are at their best when bone dry and at their worst when wet, all but birch bark. Birch bark (river, yellow, and white) can take a spark when damp and burn amazingly well when wet. However, you’d need to use a lot of the ferro rod to heat the birch bark before it will combust.
Reindeer Moss
Reindeer Moss is a type of lichen, not a true moss. This lichen flourishes in the cold environments of arctic and boreal forests. You can commonly find it in regions such as Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska, and the northern states of the U.S. Reindeer Moss grows in rocky, well-drained areas and often forms a carpet across the forest floor. This lichen may seem like the more obscure pick of the underutilized natural tinders. However, it’s an excellent option.
Harvest and Process this Natural Tinder
To process reindeer moss for tinder, harvest dry, pale green or grayish clumps to avoid damp or overly fresh moss. Once collected, dry the moss by laying it out in the sun or near a fire to remove moisture. Next, break it down by crushing it into finer strands to increase its surface area, which aids in ignition.
When ready to start a fire, use char cloth, flint and steel, or a ferro rod to catch a spark. Reindeer moss burns hot and fast, making it an excellent choice for starter tinder.
Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is a striking ornamental grass native to South America, specifically Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. This resilient plant thrives in wetland areas and has successfully spread globally, including California, Texas, and the southeastern United States. It fits right in there with the other underutilized natural tinders.
Find It and Use It
To identify pampas grass, look for its impressive height, reaching up to 13 feet. The long, sharp-edged blades display a bluish-green hue. During late summer, you will notice its feathery plumes blooming in silvery-white, pink, or purple shades. Pampas grass grows in dense clumps, populating open fields, coastal dunes, and roadsides. When searching for this striking plant, focus on sunny, well-drained locations where tall, feathery plumes stand out.
It takes almost zero processing. In its natural state, it’s ready to go. Unlike the other underutilized natural tinders, it will quickly take a spark from a ferro rod. Use the dry stems as secondary kindling.
Dry Grass
Dry grass is the most overlooked tinder that’s free and foolproof. It stands out as one of nature’s best-kept secrets for igniting fires, yet people frequently overlook it in favor of processed char cloth or commercially made fire starters. Instead of spending money on these products, why not take advantage of the free tinder available right under your feet?
Dry grass excels at catching sparks and turning them into flames fast, making it a go-to material for survivalists, campers, and bushcrafters. Unlike some tinders that require special treatment, dry grass takes almost no processing—just gather, fluff, and ignite. The finer the strands, the easier they’ll catch a spark from a ferro rod or direct flame.
Lightweight, plentiful, and natural—it’s time to give dry grass the respect it deserves in your fire-making kit.
Harvesting This Underutilized Natural Tinder
The easiest way to harvest this resource is to run your hand with fingers slightly spread out and lightly grasp dead, dry grass sections. The loose stuff will burn best and naturally be easier to remove. Trim off the green or damp sections found at the bottom. Make small nests that you can easily turn over once ignited and burned.
Underutilized Natural Tinders Conclusion
The next time you’re out in the wilderness, take a ziplock bag and load up on these three free, underutilized natural tinders. Test them out and see how they work for you. Your life may depend on it!
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