Impacts of over-harvesting Chaga? Do animals eat it?

[Kim Breimeier]

In a MN foraging group I am in on FB, one of the major concerns is whether humans harvesting chaga has an impact on animals. I can't think of a single time I have seen animals gnawing on chaga, nor have I ever seen signs on chaga conks that squirrels etc. had attempted to chew on it or remove it. I tried Google but didn't find much. Do animals eat chaga? 

Many people are concerned that harvesting chaga harms the tree. My understanding is that the tree is already dying? Does harvesting chaga speed the death of the tree or otherwise cause harm?

Do you see concerns in our area of over-harvesting? I see more whole chaga than I see spots where people have harvested it.  I personally believe in what Robin Wall Kimmerer calls the Honorable Harvest (covered in detail in her Braiding Sweetgrass book but she has articles and video talks online about it as well). As a result, I always try to be cautious and conscious in what I take. I've seen no signs here of over-harvesting or commercial harvesting. Have you seen signs of that here in NE MN,  or in other areas of MN?