The familiar branched or antler-like fruitbodies found on tree stumps are the sterile or asexual state of this snuff fungus.  They have a dark bristly base with white conidia (asexual spores) towards the tips.   The sexual state is often overlooked, but may be found growing with the white tipped asexual forms.  It has entirely black fruitbodies, either branched or only slightly so, covered in small black pimples or ostioles, which are the tips of the perithecia in which the spores develop.

Photograph in habitat, not substrate.

On dead wood, usually tree stumps.

All year round

Very common

https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/xylaria-hypoxylon.php