growing on logs

Hello! finally found a forum, looks good. I know its been said that the best time to fell a tree for mushroom cultivation is late fall, or winter or very early spring. The trees here are just starting to bud, and i'd like to give it a try, growing on logs. Will it be terrible or just not as great as when cut at the right time? I have white birch, red and white maple, couple of red oaks. Its a lot of work and I don't want to waste my time..Anyone have any experience with this? thanks

Hello and welcome!

What species of mushrooms are you going to grow?

It’s possible to inoculate logs in any season, as long as they are freshly cut. After inoculation, place them in the shade (avoid direct sunlight) or in a basement, and mist them from time to time.

@MrZimm can share some useful tips&tricks on this topic ;-)

Hi,

I'm experimenting with growing shiitake on logs, but I don't have much results so far.

The main problem for me was that it is just too dry and lack of shadow. I guess that is the main problem. I have 2 stumps that at least have survived shiitake mycelium, but it is a big question if it still be able to outcompete other mushrooms.

I also have 3 logs in my basement, it is also still too dry here since I have a very good ventilation, but I see mycelium took all the place on the cuts and become brown, which is a good sign for shiitake.

I was using fresh logs and stumps. Just after cutting I choose some of them and left like 50cm of stumps above the ground. Then I cut them in pancakes with a thickness of 5 cm and drilled through all of them several holes. Then reassembled tightly and filled holes with fresh mycelium and watered them. This gives a good start, mycelium quickly develops in such structure. Then it is more up to your conditions and luck.

I also covered stump with transparent plastic sheet (or food film) around and with grass above to reduce moisture loss. I was not able to water it regularly, so it eventually gets quite dry.

So the starting method is good, conditions are not. Make sure you have well shadowed and moist place for them.

Regarding cutting - I think spring or autumn - so it is not hot/cold yet and still enough time when you have moderate temperatures. Just to give mycelium more time to develop in moderate conditions.

Here you can see my attempts to this: