Do you want to learn about Shiitake Mushrooms in Wisconsin?
Finding a guide to Shiitake Mushrooms in Wisconsin was not as easy as I thought. Some are irrelevant, some are too short, and some don’t provide the information I was seeking.
That’s why I created a list of Shiitake Mushrooms in Wisconsin!
This ultimate guide will give you not only information about Shiitake Mushrooms, but other Wisconsin mushrooms that grow on tree logs.
Read THIS Before Identifying Mushrooms that Grow on Tree Logs in Wisconsin
Knowing the type of mushroom growing in Wisconsin can be the difference between a fascinating hobby that can result in a nutritious and edible food source and a deadly toxin. Always make sure to work with your local city and gardening club before eating mushrooms found on tree logs.
It is important to pay close attention to the following when picking or eliminating mushrooms in Wisconsin:
- The size, including the cap, gills, scales, spores, and stem.
- The color, including the cap, gills, scales, spores, and stem.
- Location, both in the United States and in your yard
- Odor and even taste
And if you want to learn more about mushrooms that grow on tree logs in Wisconsin watch the below video!
10 Mushrooms that Grow on Tree Logs in Wisconsin (including Shiitake Mushrooms)
#1. Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinus Edodes)
Specifications:
- The Shiitake Mushroom has a brown-colored cap, brown spores, narrow to broad brown gills, and thick, cluster stalks.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs from late summer to early winter throughout the United States, including Wisconsin. It is grown by humans!
- These are harmless mushrooms and are typically grown by humans on tree logs.
- You can eat this mushroom raw or cooked and is quickly becoming the most popular mushroom on the planet.
- An interesting fact is that the shiitake mushroom is one of the few mushrooms actually grown by home gardeners no matter where you live.
#2. Field Mushroom (Agaricus campestris)
Specifications:
- The Field Mushroom has a white and pink cap, dark chocolate spores, narrow to broad white stalks that are brown, and deep pink and brown gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs from late summer to early winter throughout the world, including Wisconsin, Ireland, and Wales. It is also one of the most commonly eaten mushrooms in the world by humans, cows, and goats.
- You can leave these mushrooms in your yard. They grow on dead vegetation and will not kill tree logs, live plants, etc.
- This mushroom can be consumed when cooked. It is incredibly nutritious, but should only be consumed in moderation. It should be noted not to pick it since it may have been sprayed with pesticide or herbicide.
- The Meadow Mushrooms sometimes can be confused for Field Mushrooms due to their white gills and spores, but should not be foraged or eaten!
#3. Fly Agaric Mushrooms (Amanita muscaria)
Specifications:
- The Fly Agaric Mushroom has a deep red and orange cap, white spores, narrow white stalks, and white to pale yellow gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs from late summer to late fall throughout the world, including United States, Ireland, and Britain. This mushroom should not be consumed. If you do consume it, it should be raw and will cause hallucinations.
- You should kill these mushrooms unless you want them to be a natural pesticide or herbicide. This mushroom is wild in Wisconsin and will grow on hardwood, including spruce, birch, and pine tree logs.
- This mushroom should not be consumed. If you decide to eat the mushroom, it should be consumed raw. When consumed, you should expect hallucinations, drowsiness, etc.
- The Fly Agaric Mushroom is the type of mushroom you will typically see and read about in fairy tales and will even see in fairy gardens across the world.
#4. Morels Mushrooms (Morchella esculenta)
Specifications:
- The Morel Mushroom has a yellow and brown flesh orange cap, white spores, thick white or pale cream stalks, and brown gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs from spring to early fall in the United States. While it can also be found in Ireland and Great Britain, it is much rarer. The Morel Mushroom is one of the most common types of wild mushrooms in Wisconsin that can be found and eaten.
- You can leave the Morel Mushroom and even pick them up. This mushroom is considered symbiotic with its environment and can be found under tree logs and sometimes on tree logs. They are considered a beneficial partner with tree logs and insects won’t harm them either!
- This mushroom should be consumed! This is considered when of the most sought-after mushrooms in Wisconsin but should be noted that in large quantities it may cause a stomach ache.
- Did you know that the Morel Mushroom is one of the few mushrooms you can grow in your very own home? While Morel Mushrooms can grow anywhere (depending on the type), most can be found on tree logs.
#5. Shaggy Mane Mushroom (Coprinus comatus)
Specifications:
- The Shaggy Mane Mushroom has a white creamy cap, white spores, thin and tall stalks, and white gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs in the spring in the United States, Ireland, Britain, and Southern Europe. Humans and animals will find this mushroom to be very delicious.
- The Shaggy Mane Mushroom can be found on grassy land and open woodlands.
- This mushroom is delicious! But you should take extra care when preparing and it is not recommended to be eaten. Most people will have strange reactions when eating the shaggy mane mushroom.
- While this mushroom is edible and enjoyed by many, it is considered a parasitic mushroom that should be destroyed or foraged when seen.
#6. Jack O Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus olearius)
Specifications:
- The Jack O Lantern Mushroom has an Orange and Yellow cap, white spores, thick, orange and dark yellow stalks, and dark orange gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs from early fall to winter in the United States, Ireland, Britain, and Southern Europe. No one or no animal will typically consume this type of mushroom.
- The Jack O Lantern Mushroom can be found in Wisconsin, the United States, and throughout Southern Europe. You will find it under tree logs in shaded areas, but should not be foraged.
- This mushroom should not be consumed! It can cause stomach pain for several days and while not fatal it is incredibly toxic.
- There are other types of similar mushroom species to the Jack O Lantern Mushroom that will grow in Europe. Regardless of the specific type, they have similar characteristics and should be treated the same way.
#7. Milkcap Mushroom (Lactarius subdulcis)
Specifications:
- The Milkcap Mushroom has a creamy white cap, white and brown spores, small and thin white cream stems, and white and brown gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on tree logs from summer to winter in the United States, Ireland, and Britain. While you can eat this mushroom it is not recommended as it will taste acidic and bitter.
- The Milkcap Mushroom can be found in yards in Wisconsin and the United States. You will find them under hardwood tree logs.
- This mushroom can be consumed! While initially, this may taste sweet, you’ll notice a strong bitter and acidic taste when consumed in quantity and may even cause an upset stomach.
- When the Milkcap Mushroom gills and cap are cut you’ll notice a creamy-white liquid that gives the mushrooms its “sweet” taste.
#8. Deadly Galerina Mushroom (Galerina marginata)
Specifications:
- The Funeral Bell Mushroom has a honey yellow and brown cap, brown spores, tall and thick brown stems, cream gills.
- This type of mushroom grows on wood from summer to fall in the United States, Ireland, and Britain. No one or no animal will typically consume this type of mushroom as it is considered a deadly mushroom.
- The Funeral Bell Mushroom can be found in Wisconsin and the United States. You will find them in Logs, Dead Tree Logs, Broken Branches, and sometimes even dead leaves in the fall.
- This mushroom should not be consumed! It contains the same deadly toxins as the Destroying Angel mushroom and can result in organ failure and death within a day.
- It should be noted that even though the Funeral Bell Mushroom typically grows in the summer and fall in Wisconsin, it some parts of the United States it can grow any time of the year!
#9. Winter Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Specifications:
- The Winter Oyster Mushroom has either a brown, blue-grey, or creamy cap, white spores, thick, wide stalks, and white gills.
- This type of mushroom grows in the winter in the United States, Ireland, Britain, and Southern Europe. Humans and animals will find this mushroom to be very delicious.
- The Winter Oyster Mushroom can be found on dead or dying wood. You typically won’t find it on conifer trees, but rather beech or similar type of trees.
- This mushroom is delicious! It is one of the more popular mushrooms to be eaten by hobbyists and commercial foragers alike.
- While this mushroom is edible and enjoyed by many, it is considered a slightly parasitic mushroom that should be destroyed or foraged when seen.
#10. Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda)
Specifications:
- The Wood Blewit Mushroom has a purple and cream cap, gray spores, tall and thick gray stems, and purple and cream gills.
- This type of mushroom grows from summer to winter in the United States, Ireland, and Britain. You can eat this mushroom when properly cooked, but it is recommended in small portions as it often disagrees with people.
- The Wood Blewit Mushroom can be found in mixed woodland yards in Wisconsin and the United States. You will find them on tree logs and in compost.
- This mushroom can be consumed when cooked in small portions. The cap is the tastiest and can even be found in supermarkets.
- While other mushrooms have quickly been foraged and disappeared in Wisconsin, the wood blewit mushroom continues to be plentiful and can be found throughout yards and forests.
Common Factors of Mushrooms Growing on Tree Logs in Wisconsin (including Shiitake Mushrooms)
As a reminder, the below factors are common for mushrooms growing on tree logs in Wisconsin
- Most are parasitic to humans and should not be consumed.
- These mushrooms can be found throughout your yard, but most commonly on tree logs in your yard.
- Each mushroom on this list has a common fungus relative that it can be mistaken for. Leverage this guide to have the best chance of identifying common yard mushrooms in Wisconsin.
- Most mushrooms on this list will only grow a maximum height of 6 inches tall and 3 or 4 inches wide.
- A majority of the mushrooms on this list will have no smell to them.
And remember that you should pay attention to this guide, other local experts, and your local mushroom clubs before foraging. This can be the difference between a nutritious and delicious mushroom and a harmful and even deadly fungus.
If you want to learn about other mushrooms, chickens, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and bees check out thegardeningdad and search for the plant you want to grow in the upper right-hand corner.
