1999 Annual Report for FS99-096
Use of Low Value Hardwoods for Shiitake Mushroom Production
Summary
Many farms include small woodlots or wooded field edges that are not well managed. They may contain many low-value small-diameter hardwoods such as beech, ironwood, musclewood, hickory and cherry. It is often not economical to remove these low-value trees for pulp so they are often just left to grow. This results in slower growth of the more economically valuable trees. If a market could be found for the low-value trees, their removal would the increase the value of the remaining timber and the total profitability of the farm woodlot. Water quality and diversity of habitat for wildlife on the farm would also be improved.
In this project, the producer will cull some of his low-value trees for use as substrate for shiitake mushroom production. Shiitake mushrooms can be grown on a small area with minimal labor requirements. There is a good market for Shiitakes, which are prized by gourmet cooks. Many of the low-value, small-diameter hardwood tree species that need to be removed to improve the growth of remaining valuable trees in a woodlot can provide logs on which to grow Shiitake mushrooms. If found suitable for Shiitake production, these less valuable (for timber) trees could be removed and used to produce a valuable product (Shiitakes). Removal of these trees would contribute to increased growth of the remaining crop trees, improving the value of the woodlot. The small trees removed for Shiitake production should be taken out by hand with little environmental degradation to the woodlot.