Log selection

Logs stack in the Spawn Yard

So Shiitake mushroom like to grow in tree logs. We started the process of selecting logs in February 2011. For Shiitake the preference seems to be White Oak (Quercus alba) and Red Oak (Quercus rubra) trees. Yet other trees such as Maple, White Ash, Sweetgum, Mockernut Hickory and Yellow Poplar favor the growth of Shiitake. We gathered a total of 100 logs including Red and White Oaks, Maple, Tulip poplar and Black Birch.

Bobcat stacking the logs March 16th 2011

In general you need hardwood logs that can retain their bark to protect the delicate spawn that will be inoculated into the logs. For practical management reasons, the logs should be uniform as possible between 3 to 4 feet long (40 inch) and average 4 inches in diameter. Bigger than this, the logs would be to heavy to handle.