When the rainy season begins, it is very common to find mushrooms on and around trees. They may even persist after the rains have ended. Many popular edible and medicinal types grow naturally on tree trunks.
However, it is also important to remember that wild mushrooms should never be eaten unless you are completely sure of their identity. This blog lists some of the mushrooms often found growing on trees.
Why Do Mushrooms Grow on Trees?
Mushrooms are reproductive structures that fungi produce to release spores. These spores are carried by wind or water, thereby allowing new fungi to grow. Trees become an important food source for fungi because they contain cellulose and lignin.
They thrive in the right conditions, such as high humidity, moderate temperatures, and sufficient presence of nutrients. In the process, they produce mushrooms on tree trunks, branches, and nearby soil to continue their life cycle.
Types of Edible Mushrooms that Grow on Trees
Here are a few common mushrooms you might find growing on the trees, which are safe to eat once identified correctly.
Oyster Mushrooms
These are one of the most commonly found mushrooms on trees and are very easy to identify. They are edible, and there are no poisonous mushrooms that look like Oyster mushrooms. This minimizes the risk of misidentification.
There are several varieties of Oyster mushrooms. However, most of them have gills and white spore prints.
Chicken of the Woods
This mushroom has bright shades of orange and yellow, and is known for its unique resemblance to a piece of fried chicken. This type refers to several species in the Laetiporus genus and is also called "chicken fungus" or "sulfur shelf."
These edible mushrooms are known for their meaty, chicken-like texture. They usually grow on dead or decaying trees and stumps. They usually prefer hardwoods like oak, cherry, maple, and beech.
Shiitake
They are native to Southeast Asia and are often found on dead or decaying wood. This mushroom variety got its name from one of its host trees, "Shii". They grow in clusters on fallen branches in warm, moist environments. They are recognized by their dark brown, umbrella-shaped caps and fibrous stems.
Shiitake mushrooms are the third most cultivated species and are known for their medicinal and culinary uses. They are often used as an alternative to ground beef, which also adds rich umami flavour to dishes.
Hen of the Woods
These edible and delicious mushrooms are also known as Maitake mushrooms in Japan. Hen of the Woods are parasites of trees, growing on white and red oak.
The growth of these mushrooms often leads to the decay of the host tree. They are commonly found on stumps, downed trees, and living trees.
Cauliflower Fungus
This cauliflower look-alike mushroom is non-toxic and edible for humans, but is parasitic to the host tree. They can harm the tree, particularly near the base of conifers. This mushroom feeds on both living and dead plant matter, leading to brain rot. They are typically found in either bright white or shades ranging from caramel to dark brown.
Resinous Polypore
These are edible mushrooms that are also sought after by foragers. They are parasites of hardwood trees and are commonly found on oaks. These mushrooms are also known as the Salisbury steak of the woods or beef of the woods because of their meaty texture.
Even though it has a pleasant taste, it is not very popular as a food item and is not often harvested.
Lion's Mane
These edible mushrooms are known for their seafood-like flavour and are popular in the culinary world. They also have medicinal benefits, making them one of the popular mushrooms grown on trees.
They are often found on elderly and almost dying, or dead trees. It is easy to find them during late summer or fall on hardwoods like oak, beech, maple, sycamore, and walnut trees.
Enokitake
They are also known as enoki and velvet shank mushrooms. They are parasitic and can decompose wood like elms. These are edible mushrooms that can also be found in stores, like Shiitake.
When exposed to sunlight, they develop brown stems and yellow to orange caps. They can be first seen during spring and continue to grow through the year.
Honey Mushrooms
These are tiny edible mushrooms that have honey colour caps. They grow in groups, often at the base of the living tree or dead stumps. They are common in urban backyards during late summer or fall. They are found on hardwood trees like oak, beech, maple, birch, and elm.
Chaga
They don't look quite visually appealing with their dark, crusty, and rough bumps extending out from the tree trunk. They are often seen protruding from the side of the trunk. However, they are edible and carry a lot of nutrition and health benefits. You can find them growing on birch, ash, elm, and beech trees.
Types of Poisonous Mushrooms that Grow on Trees
There are a variety of mushrooms that you should avoid, as they can be toxic if ingested. Here is a list of poisonous mushrooms that grow on trees.
Jack O’ Lantern
They are bright orange in colour and grow on trees in North America and Europe. A typical symptom of Jack O'Lantern poisoning includes vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. In a worst-case scenario, this poisoning may eventually lead to liver failure and death.
It is easy to mistake them for edible Chanterelle mushrooms because of the similarity in appearance. One way to differentiate them is to look for smooth caps or gills, which are absent in Chanterelle mushrooms.
Deadly Gallerina
They are small brown mushrooms that are found on trees in the northern hemisphere. These mushrooms have a smooth cap and distinctive rings on their stems. They contain a toxin known as amatoxin, which can cause serious illness or even death if ingested even in small quantities.
The symptoms appear within 6 to 12 hours of consumption. The toxin starts attacking the liver, eventually leading to death.
Angel's Wings
They are fan-shaped mushrooms that are white in colour. They grow on trees in temperate forests and can be toxic if ingested. Their poisoning typically includes vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
They are often mistaken for edible Oyster mushrooms because of their appearance, but Angel's Wings have a much thinner stem and flesh.
Poison Pie
They are small brown mushrooms that are often found growing on trees around North America and Europe. They can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting.
They are often found in open forests during summer and autumn, under both hardwood and coniferous tree species. In warmer areas like California, they can also be seen in the winter months.
They have a strong radish-like smell and can be mistaken for edible honey mushrooms because of their appearance. However, Poison Pie has a smooth cap and rings on its stem, distinguishing it from honey mushrooms.
Death Cap
They are considered one of the deadliest mushrooms containing a toxin called amatoxin. Their ingestion can lead to liver and kidney damage, eventually leading to death without medical intervention.
They are usually mistaken for edible mushrooms like Paddy Straw mushrooms, which are used in many Asian cuisines. The Death Cap's features include a greenish cap that may vary from pale olive to yellowish-green.
How can Mushrooms Damage Trees?
The growth of mushrooms or fungi on trees indicates internal damage. Fungi release enzymes that decompose the trees, eventually leading to the deterioration of the tree, which causes its branches to fall.
Conclusion
The process of mushrooms growing on trees is part of the forest life cycle. This occurrence is a rather natural and common ecological phenomenon. However, it's important to know the species of mushrooms growing on trees. If you're not sure about their identity, it's best to stay away from them and avoid accidental ingestion.