Fungi

The decomposers

The more I research fungi, the more I learn of its health benefits to humans and its relationship to tree roots. I'm now cultivating shiitaki, oyster and lion's mane mushrooms at at home for us to eat. I've had many observations of fungi in our woods, but I have only positively identified a few species so far. Some are edible.



Purple-gilled Laccaria

Hen of the Woods



Honeys


Rusula


Pear-shaped Puffball

cache found in bluebird box


Purple Laccaria


White Coral Jelly Fungus





Morel

Honey

Turkey Tail

Giant Puffball

Bolete


Jelly Tree Ear

Yellow-tipped Coral Fungus

Magpie Inkcap

Chicken Fat

Bolete


Home Grown - Cultivated

I inoculated a set of 10 red oak logs with Shiitake spawn in spring 2019. This is part of my fall 2020 harvest. I expect the logs to produce once in the spring and once in the fall for about 5 years. I soak the logs for 24 hours to get a coordinated bloom in about a week. Yum! I stack the logs under pine trees.


I took a class with MCCD in 2019 and inoculated a single Oak log with Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus). The log has been a great producer and the mushrooms are incredibily delicious and nutritious! This log surprises me with blooms when outdoor conditions are favorable.


I grew this Lion's Mane indoors in 2021 from a table top kit purchased from Field and Forest.



These oak log grown Shiitakes flushed on their own after a big rain in August, 2021. I have the logs stacked under White Pines away from the house and was lucky to find them right before harvest time. Best yield to date!

I was worried that the logs had dried out during this season of drought. I won't worry anymore.