Early Spring Mushroom Hunting in PNW - Stalking the Split Gill, Spring Oyster, and True Turkey Tail

[@clifford_the_big_red_dragon]

I like that you primarily focus on the fungal world, but don't hesitate to stop and talk about a few some of the other residents of the forest. I also loved your longer chat about the split gill. I think taking the time to really focus on one particular variety can go a long way towards demystifying mushrooms. I work in outdoor education, and a lot of your content has found its way into what I teach. I appreciates you.

[@MushroomTrail]

Awesome! Thanks so much for this feedback - that is a huge help to me as I continue to work to refine these mushroom walks. I have been wondering if folks want to know about other natural wonders encountered out in the forest while searching for mushrooms... so this is so good to hear! I just put out a new video this morning that references the American Shrewmole (a little creature that I frequently encounter when out on the trail in search of mushrooms!) Very cool that you work in outdoor ed, and glad to be able to supplement lessons! Are you here in the PNW?

[@clifford_the_big_red_dragon]

I am based out of the PNW. Portland to be a bit more specific and between you and Aaron Hilyard, I always have a good idea of what to keep an eye out for when I'm out hiking with the kids.

[@MushroomTrail]

Nice! Very cool! Those Morels and Spring Kings are just around the corner ... excited for what the coming weeks will bring!

[@BarbieNOregon]

I love the way that you explain these mushrooms. By far the best mushroom videos I’ve seen 🎉

[@MushroomTrail]

Thanks so much for the kind words - really appreciate the positive feedback! Can't wait to get the next video out your way! Happy Trails! 🍄

[@outdoorloser4340]

I like using dried turkey tail mushrooms too give a nice mushroom flavor to my soups/broths/stews etc in the winter.

[@MushroomTrail]

I totally agree - thanks for adding that to the conversation! Turkey tails are awesome for soup stocks - and the mushroom flavor that they add to cooking is just right. Appreciate you sharing that! Happy Trails!

[@dcfromthev]

Yay another awesome video!!! Love these for my drive to and from work. Great work as usual dude keep it going!

[@MushroomTrail]

Awesome - thanks for the positive feedback! Always love hearing from you! Happy Trails!

[@jamesedwardson605]

Keep up the good work...

[@MushroomTrail]

Thanks, will do! Appreciate you tuning in!

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

Excellent! I just get back from Foraging in the rain. Hey that some beautiful Oysters

[@MushroomTrail]

Nice! What all did you find out there today? I'm getting excited about the arrival of Spring Mushrooms!

[@kimmiemamatomany6226]

Split gills are on my 'hunt list' now. Thank you! Beautiful!

[@MushroomTrail]

Awesome! Split Gills are such incredible mushrooms - happy hunting and thanks for tuning in!

[@zoelowinfell]

So often lately as I'm editing my mushroom photos from the day, your video playing in the background starts referencing the very one I'm researching as I'm editing it. Tonight it was the Split Gill. Thank yooouuu

[@MushroomTrail]

Very cool - I love that mushroom! And I always appreciate those little synchronicities in life ... reminds us that we're right where we need to be!

[@martinginsburg7222]

Finally someone who knows how to edit and only uses sharp, clear images. Many of the shroom vids make me almost seasick as the edits are unfocused or going from focused to unfocused. Also music, voice, & information are superior to most other channels. Wish you the best & thank you for your efforts.

[@MushroomTrail]

Thank you so much for the kind words - really appreciate the positive feedback! Can't wait to get the next video out your way, and thanks for tuning in. Just getting started, so lots more to come in the days ahead!

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

Aaah, You found Nettles. I harvested and ate Today!

[@MushroomTrail]

So good! One of my favorite things about Spring!

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

@MushroomTrail I just uploaded 2 videos from Today

[@MushroomTrail]

Cool! I'll check them out!👍

[@blairteagarden7990]

Loved the detailed explanations, this is my favorite "Mushroom" channel! Hoping to find some of these mushrooms in my area, it's not as lush and abundant as Washington here west of Portland.

[@MushroomTrail]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the positive feedback, and best of luck on the mushroom search. The changing weather should bring lots of mushrooms our way in the weeks ahead! 🍄

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

Wow, good show on the Split Gill. Neat looking

[@MushroomTrail]

Thanks! Such a beauty, right? That split gill structure is really unique, and always a joy to admire!

[@nonnegotiable8684]

Noticed you mentioned Mushrooms Demystified in another video which is a bookshelf stable for me. any others you particularly like.

[@MushroomTrail]

Yes! So many good resources out there. "Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms; The Essential Guide" is a phenomenal resource when it comes to that topic. There are also a couple regional guides to PNW that I really like. Where are you located?

[@nonnegotiable8684]

@@MushroomTrail northern edge of the south-east currently. I haven't found a really good location specific field guide to this region yet so I've just been rolling with the Audubon society field guide + the internet and its served fairly well.

[@MushroomTrail]

Lincoff's Audubon work is a classic ... a little dated, but still useful! A good regional field guide is definitely a blessing if you can find one. Not sure what elevation you're primarily hunting in, but if you haven't already come across "A Field Guide to Mushrooms of the Carolinas" it may be a good one to look into. I also hear good things about "Mushrooms of the Georgia Piedmont"

[@nonnegotiable8684]

@@MushroomTrail Thanks for the recommendations! ill look into them.

[@dcfromthev]

Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast is a pretty cool book for us on the west coast! And everything by David Arora and Paul Stamets are always staples.

[@tommyeaves9686]

Ok, thank you

[@MushroomTrail]

No problem - that Split Gill is a beautiful mushroom, isn't it?

[@kyrgyzstanification]

Oysters, I read, are the only mushrooms that are carnivorous. Also, oyster mushrooms were cultivated in Germany between the wars as a meat substitute. Thanks for the excellent footage and commentary!

[@MushroomTrail]

Thanks! Super interesting to think of some mushrooms as being carnivorous, right?!? But those nematodes can be an excellent source of nitrogen (especially in nitrogen-deficient environments). They refer to these carnivorous species as the "nematophagous fungi" Cool history on Oysters in Germany! Super interesting! Appreciate you tuning in! Happy Trails!

[@Schwammerlfee]

Coprinus comatus does catch nematodes as well. So interesting!

[@Schwammerlfee]

I never heard about the Oyster mushroom being cultivated as a meat substitute between the wars, need to research. :-) Thank you for the info. But I know of some mushrooms that are not especially tasty or nutritious that have been eaten in Germany when food has been short during or between the wars: Pluteus cervinus, Russula ochroleuca, Tapinella atrotomentosa, Porphyrellus porphyrosporus, to name some. Those are big enough to not go hungry and could be found frequently when tasty ones couldn’t be found frequently. Sometimes those mushrooms still are referred as „war mushrooms“.

[@MushroomTrail]

That is really interesting! I've been seeing quite a bit of Pluteus cervinus out here in the PNW over the course of the last week or so ... I typically leave it, even though I know it's edible (not high on anyone's list!) I may have to start referring to those as "war mushrooms"! Thanks for the info 👍

[@Schwammerlfee]

The Split Gill mushroom is white on the top in Mid Europe. :) It’s such a pretty and interesting mushroom. As you mentioned it can grow in humans, here we get told not to sniff on it like we mushroom hunters tend to do, especially if you are immune compromised.

[@MushroomTrail]

That's probably good advice! The Split Gill is such an interesting one. Beautiful to look at, and wild to think about its history of use. Seems like there is still so much to learn from that one. I appreciate you tuning in! Happy Trails!

[@TPHui]

32:00 it can be sold for $100

[@MushroomTrail]

Enlighten me! Would love to hear your thoughts on ID👍

[@dcfromthev]

I had no idea that split gill was medicinal let alone culinary, I guess I better start doing more research because we see tons of these here in NorCal.

[@MushroomTrail]

The Split Gill is such a cool mushroom! Christopher Hobbs has a solid write up about it in his recent book that is worth checking out👍

[@Kado244]

I found some huge oyster mushrooms yesterday 8" across some of them too bad they were FULL of maggots already I was hoping since it gets cold at night still it wouldn't be as bad for maggots as it is in the later spring.

[@MushroomTrail]

Doh! That's the worst! Sadly, those Oysters are especially prone to bugs. I'm surprised that the cold didn't keep them relatively bug free in these early days of the season. So far, mine have been bug free, but I've been quick to harvest the youngest fruitings as soon as they're a reasonable size ... not sure how long that will continue though!🤞

[@stockbulll]

What are some ways to dry mushrooms other than a dehydrator? Is an oven on 350 too warm?

[@MushroomTrail]

I know there are varying opinions on this, but in general, the lower the temp the better when it comes to drying mushrooms. If you can stay under 125° F, that is preferred target for lots of folks (I realize that not all ovens go this low, so sometimes people will figure out various workarounds). My favorite method is actually to sun dry if the season allows it -- if you do that, the mushrooms actually produce vitamin D2 - bonus! But the stars need to be aligned perfectly for that to work this time of year in the PNW!

[@stockbulll]

@@MushroomTrail I didn't know they produced vitamin D by being sun dried. That's a great idea!

[@dcfromthev]

Oven is way too hot and inconsistent, not a great option. if you don’t have access to a dehydrator that can be set to ~100°F then you could dry them outdoors on a mesh rack. Indoors can work too but may take longer. A fan blowing on them would speed things up, but it’s going to take several days or longer depending how humid the area is and how moist the mushrooms are. Species can matter too, some dry faster than others.

[@MushroomTrail]

Good advice - I agree! Lower the temperature the better. Air circulation is key ... can be tricky to thoroughly dry before mold sets in if humidity is too high. Some people even create their own makeshift dehydrators by incorporating fans and heaters or light boxes.

[@tommyeaves9686]

Why don't you show us the split gill mushroom -underneath???

[@MushroomTrail]

Wait for it...

[@Zulwind]

you sound so much like aaron lol

[@MushroomTrail]

Appreciate you tuning in! Happy Trails!🍄