Potential Alternative Tree Species as Substrates for Forest Farming of Log-grown Shiitake Mushrooms in the Southeastern United States

• Published in: HortTechnology (Alexandria, Va.) Va.), 2020-12, Vol.30 (6), p.741-744
• Main Authors: Frey, Gregory E., Durmus, Tarik, Sills, Erin O., Isik, Fikret, Comer, Marcus M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agroforestry; farm management; fungi; small woodlots
• ISSN: 1063-0198; 1943-7714
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH04721-20

Shiitake ( Lentinula edodes ) is an edible mushroom-producing fungus. “Natural log-grown” shiitake mushrooms are favored by consumers and are often produced by small farmers and hobbyists in the United States. The tree species most often recommended as a substrate for shiitake is white oak ( Quercus alba ), which has many other economic uses. We tested two strains of shiitake in log substrates of three common, low-value tree species in the southeastern United States to identify potential alternatives to white oak. We found that sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) was a good substitute for white oak, both in terms of mushroom production and financial returns. Red maple ( Acer rubrum ) had less potential, with lower production and marginal financial returns, and ailanthus ( Ailanthus altissima ) was not a suitable alternative substrate. Of the two shiitake strains tested, a commercially available strain performed better than a naturalized strain that was isolated from an uninoculated log. Further research is needed to identify other potential alternative substrates and production techniques in the southeastern United States and other regions.