5 of the Best Mushrooms to Grow on Logs (2024)

FAQs

5 of the Best Mushrooms to Grow on Logs? ›

There are many mushroom varieties that grow on logs - Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko

Popular Shiitake, Oyster, Maitake, Enoki and Morel mushrooms are cultivated commercially and at home by backyard enthusiasts. In the wild, these mushrooms are found growing near or on downed oak, alder, birch, elm and ash trees.

Pretty much every mushroom growing resource I could find says that oyster mushrooms are the easiest variety for first time-growers, as they grow fast and can easily thrive in substrates made of things like coffee grounds and straw, making them relatively low maintenance.

There are many mushroom varieties that grow on logs - Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail. Cultivating mushrooms on natural logs is a wonderful long-term method for mushroom production. A prime Shiitake log can fruit for 8 years or longer!

Growing mushrooms on logs and tree stumps is by far the easiest way to cultivate wood-loving species such as oyster, shiitake and enoki, tawaka and more.

log usually is given about 40 - 50 plugs. The more plugs you use per log, the faster the wood will be colonized with mushroom mycelium. A large stump usually requires 100 holes arranged in a similar hexagonal fashion around the trunk and with holes on the top of the stump as well.

Lion's Mane Mushroom Logs

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a nutritious medicinal mushroom that produces plump white clusters with icicle-like teeth. Though slightly harder to get flushes than shiitake, they are still a great outdoor mushroom for growers as they are relatively reliable producers.

For shiitake, hardwoods like oak are best, although some people have had success with softwood species, too. Oyster mushrooms on the other hand grow great on softwood species like sweet gum or poplar. It's best to avoid using conifer logs for most mushrooms, though.

What mushrooms grow on dead oak stumps? ›

Hen of the Woods or Maitake Mushrooms (Grifola frondosa)

Similar to chicken of the woods, maitake are a parasite of trees, typically white and red oak, but occasionally on maple. They cause a butt rot in the host tree, and are common on stumps, downed trees, and living trees.

Shiitake, portobello, and king oyster mushrooms are known for their meaty taste and texture. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, offer a smoky flavor, while portobellos provide a beef-like richness, making them popular choices for meat substitution.

Some mushrooms known for their rich flavors are chicken of the woods, truffles, morels, porcini, shiitake and portobello mushrooms. Many of these delicious gourmet mushrooms are also some of the most expensive mushrooms in the world, as they're not easy to cultivate.

Stick to those known for their edibility and palatability such as the common white button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms. Wild mushrooms, although intriguing, are a path best left untraveled unless you are a seasoned mycologist or have consulted with one.

Shiitake mushrooms tend to be more expensive than button, cremini or oyster mushrooms but are sought after for their rich, intense flavor and aroma. People describe the shiitake's taste as earthy, buttery, meaty, woodsy or slightly smoky. And dried shiitakes have an even more intense umami taste and flavor.