Healthy, living trees can be felled for mushroom bolts nearly any time of year. It is not recommended to harvest logs during the spring between budding and full leaf out. During this time, most of the nutrients and energy of the tree are expended in a push to develop flowers and foliage, leaving little for fungal growth. Also, bark is loose, increasing the risk of damage during cutting. Intact bark is very important for the spawn run. Never cut dead, dying, or diseased trees for mushroom growing.
Timing log harvests with sap flow can help increase the yield and longevity of your mushroom bolts. This typically coincides with dormancy cycles. Two ideal times for harvest are: during the fall, after ⅓ of tree leaves have changed color through leaf drop and in late winter to early spring before bud swell and leaf out. These are both times when sugary sap in the tree will be concentrated in the wood, providing nutrients for mycelial growth, and bark should be tight reducing the risk of slippage.
For fall inoculation in grow zones 8 and higher, we recommend protecting logs from freezing temperatures. Logs can be overwintered in heated spaces, tucked away close to the walls of heated structures, or stored close to the ground and covered with leaves, blankets, and tarps. Click here to read more on fall inoculation.
We recommend sourcing logs from a sustainable forester or using sustainable practices in culling trees for mushroom production.