How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs | Complete Inoculation Walkthrough!

Visit our website: northspore.com...
Join North Spore's head mycologist, Jon Carver, as he goes through the steps of choosing and inoculating a mushroom log. Jon talks about choosing a correct tree to fell, inoculation techniques using North Spore sawdust spawn, and proper storage of inoculated logs. He demonstrates using an inoculation tool, 12mm specialized drill bit, and angle grinder adapter with shiitake spawn on oak logs.
1:07 selecting a tree for logs
3:55 finding a space for inoculation
4:36 drilling holes in your logs
5:50 angle grinder adapter demo
7:07 injecting sawdust spawn into log
8:30 waxing your injection points
10:25 where and how to store your logs outdoors
Check out the full blog article here: northspore.com...
Mushroom Log Kits: northspore.com...
Log Inoculation Tools: northspore.com...
Sawdust Spawn: northspore.com...
Plug Spawn: northspore.com...

[@aaronramsden1657]

I love how you're an actual mycologist and know what you're talking about

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks! It's great to have a great team with hard scientific / mycological backgrounds!

[@karinamachadoescobar20]

This was great, thanks, I been tryin to find out about "mushroom boxes grow your own" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Heenyan Mushroom Organifiction - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my partner got great success with it.

[@naykeloropeza8613]

here's a few suggestions to try pick the best variety - there are many available. grow them in the right environment - some eg oyster muchrooms like cool humid areas and can be put outdoors (I discovered these and why they work on Gregs Mushroom Grower website )

[@btardedbot2.2.62]

Yes. Truthly mycologists on KZbin are hard to find. *North spore are the real deal. A true mushroom cultivation company. They grow many gourmet products and sell many aswell (fresh grown by them /grow @ home boxes).* All the other KZbin mycologists I see usually on here, are either people with a KZbinrs production team, and is all scripted. Most mycologist vids on KZbin, are just paid actors, or some random kid in a bedroom with his 1st illegal grow kit. For USA, I would say *NorthSpore* is one of the Holy Grails. I wish there were companies like u in UK most are extremely limited. A new farm in my city is in process of being built from the ground up (literally building it now). It's going to the the city's 1st urban mushroom farm. I'm hoping to get a job there maybe. To help them progress and for my mycology learning to progress at the same time. With luck.

[@grav177]

What type of tree are you cutting for logs?

[@JTD19881369]

Oh. The people who sold me the mushrooms are going to teach me how to grow them! Sweet as!!

[@bloomsandbeams3272]

Damn, this is a next level guide. It's artistic while still being super informative and clarifying. Keep this up, definitely something visionary happening with you guys.

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks! We're trying to put significant energy into developing educational materials and cool mushroom video content. I appreciate the kind words!

[@raymondkyruana118]

Was debating whether or not to buy Shiitake plugs from your website but had a few questions. Then found this video and everything was answered and got me more excited than I was before! This video was the defining factor for my purchase so thank you!!!

[@SOBluTiger]

You guys are the most amazing channel in that you actually respond to and engage with your youtube audience. You have answered a couple questions of mine in the past as well. I am working on my first grow now. Hopefully it turns out!

[@NorthSpore]

Thank you so much for your support! Reach out anytime.

[@miniatures1]

​@NorthSpore How long can you keep harvesting off of the logs in ideal conditions?

[@speterlewis]

My wife and I are SO excited to start doing this. We have a perfect woodlot for it.

[@NorthSpore]

I hope you were able to start your mushroom patch! If not, hope you're planning one for this year!

[@jerryrice6096]

How it's going now you still have it??

[@jaatkuldeepmalik5379]

Good luck sir

[@1.4142]

How did it go

[@juanlui284]

Any updates on this?

[@96marduca]

can i use coconut tree log here in Asia since we don't have the type of ideal logs you have......thank you for answering....very nice presentation and codos to you guys.....

[@HushListenLove]

Wow 6 mins in, that angle grinder drill is savage! Thanks for this guide, looking forward to doing this one day!

[@NorthSpore]

Reach out with questions anytime!

[@lindalagarce8996]

Thank you, thank you! I have been wanting to do this and didn’t know how! Hugs and love from Texas!

[@mangolighters]

mushroom videos always have the best music

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks! Epidemic Sound is great for sourcing music for videos

[@pingary214]

Ikr

[@puzzlevortex]

i love that intro song

[@omg_wtf]

Music videos have the best music

[@FruitTree]

Wisdom is way more important than knowledge. Looks like you have both good job.

[@Dr.LongMonkey]

Omg my old teacher! I dropped out of Jon’s class cause it was too hard haha, but it sparked my love for mushrooms

[@tinyhouseshannanigins9749]

This video was so rad. Your tools are probably pricey but I’ll spend the money just because you put so much energy into this video. Super cool. Following.

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for your support!

[@classlessfool9398]

How do you like them?

[@rachel.doremi6974]

I had no idea that people had mushroom farms, but this makes me very happy because I love eating mushrooms

[@NorthSpore]

You should give mushroom cultivation a shot, it's easier than you'd think!

[@suespina696]

Great video! It’s concise, enjoyable to watch and has all the right information in just enough detail. Thanks for taking the time to make and post this.

[@NorthSpore]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aycowles]

Just bought your plug kit via Amazon. Super excited. Need to find suitable logs now…

[@lickmycrit836]

Mycology is so amazing

[@NorthSpore]

Yeah it is. Never ceases to amaze

[@1987barbar]

Hi, awesome video. Is it better to use freshly cut 'green' logs or old rotting humid logs? And do they need to be oak for shittake mushrooms ?

[@NorthSpore]

Fresh cut! Oak is best for shiitake, but you can sue many other things. Check this out: northspore.com/pages/grow-mushrooms-on-logs-videos

[@jenniferg6818]

Super interesting. I'm building a food and medicine forest with a strong fungi component in York. Loving your videos. Thank you.

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for your support! Reach out with any questions you have along the way!

[@jenniferg6818]

@@NorthSpore let me know if you want to do any classes on my land. 😁

[@chickasawmike1319]

Greetings from Oklahoma. It is hard to find shiitake mushrooms in my area. Locally grown, fresh, organic shiitake's is almost unheard of. I am going to do a video review of your tools and spawn. I used to pick morels in the wild but I lived farther north back then. It will be amazing to grow them in my yard! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@NorthSpore]

Greetings! Thanks for watching the video and reviewing the tools and spawn. I wish morels were more common in Maine.. though we've encountered them a few times here!

[@blueberrypearlproductions]

“i like liftin up the log, and puttin it in the crock pot” was jus thinkin about that before you did it haha

[@BarbaraSummering]

An awesome demonstration! I’ve tried, and failed... I smell success with this method! 😊 Thank you for sharing.

[@NorthSpore]

Reach out with questions anytime.

[@Graeberwave]

Did you write a book on mycelium? I read one a few years ago, so good. Thank you for this walk through.

[@NorthSpore]

We haven't written a book... yet! Thanks for watching the video and good luck with any mushroom projects you have in your future!

[@jaymanton422]

Let’s start DRILL-ing guys.. Grabs an angle grinder! 😂 Great video.

[@NorthSpore]

It's sort of a hybrid drill/anglegrinder at that point..

[@louiseswart1315]

Are there any logs that should NOT be used for mushrooms?

[@NorthSpore]

Generally speaking, fruit wood isn't good and neither are conifers.

[@weozol4065]

add block plus if you hate youtube adds. nice vid thanks for sharing your knowledge with us

[@NorthSpore]

thanks for watching the video!

[@paintnamer6403]

Interesting video, I can see the benefits of that drill bit when growing is a big hobby or a business. Nice Opinel knife, I like the thin blade for slicing.

[@MurderBong]

SO YA KNOW... YOU MADE SUCH A SOLID VIDEO, MY MUSHROOM GUY EMAILED IT TO ME TO WATCH!

[@NorthSpore]

Nice! Reach out with questions anytime!

[@MurderBong]

@@NorthSpore I do actually have a few. How big is too big for logs. For a garden, Knowing it may not fruit for 3-5 years. 1ftx6ft? I have 3 types. Oyster, Shit, and Wine. The garden plan is 2 kiddie pools with soil and fresh mulch with a log in each, and the front ground soil filled and herbs. I was hoping to put in some button mushrooms somehow. Opinion? Hard truth? Thanks so much. Got it at Fullerton Farms, Ontario, Canada.

[@MurderBong]

(the best spot is a 12x12 concrete pad from an old hot tub. best shade/sun mix.

[@northspore6175]

@@MurderBong the larger the log, the longer it will take to colonize. The average size is around 4 feet with varying diameters. Kiddie pools sound perfect for beds. Almond Agaricus is an option for button mushrooms and it loves compost and warm temperatures.

[@MurderBong]

@@northspore6175 Thank You.

[@Talex3003]

Thank you for the video!! I wonder how often you "irrigate" the logs and how do you know when to?

[@NorthSpore]

If it's been a couple weeks without rainfall give the logs a soak overnight. You don't want constant moisture or irrigation on your logs as it will weaken the bark over time. What you want is for the moisture content inside of the log to stay relatively constant. If the ends of your log start to crack or if your logs feel like they've lost a lot of weight, those are good indicators that your log should get some soak time!

[@CritterFritter]

The tool for innoculating is basically a humungachunga single channel micropipetter, yes? Very good! Thank you so much!

[@NorthSpore]

Thank you! The inoculating tool is just a hollow tube with a plunger mechanism.

[@clifb.3521]

this set up is GANGSTER

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for your support! Fun, rewarding work happening here!

[@cecetv87]

Got ours in. Thanx a bunch. I didnt see your how too before i bought the spores but i still got then from north spore. We will see how they do

[@NorthSpore]

good luck with your project!

[@velvetpaws999]

Wow, that was awesome! I learnt so much! Thank you, guys. I'm almost at the end of the video. My question is, what type of wax are you using? I think this might be important... Thanks for letting us know if it matters or not. Oh and one other question: did you guys develop those specialty tools, like the drill bit and the filler tube for the sawdust inoculation?

[@NorthSpore]

A clear food-grade paraffin wax ideal for sealing holes in inoculated logs. We sourced the tools for our different types of spawn!

[@shannuscookingandgardening]

Really informative 👏🏻. Awesome experience seeing this video. What kinda wax we can use ?

[@NorthSpore]

We used food grade paraffin wax (aka Cheese Wax). Bees wax also works. If the wax is too brittle you can add a little mineral oil to soften it up.

[@shannuscookingandgardening]

@@NorthSpore Thanks for sharing the details 😊

[@pg3t]

Comprehensive! Thanks!

[@jonreed1327]

This video is great! But what next? How long do you wait before trying to get them to go off? How do you care for the logs while they are producing? Possible issues, pests, other?

[@NorthSpore]

They can take up to a year to colonize. We suggest stacking them close but off the ground to reduce pest interference. You may have to water them if it is especially dry. We have a great FAQ here: northspore.com/pages/spawn-faq-1

[@lukealexander4512]

Great video! Humidity is definitely not an issue in Florida. Is there a way to sanitize logs prior to inoculation? I think some of the logs in my inventory are good, but the high humidity levels might result in a good environment for other fungi to take hold early.

[@NorthSpore]

Actually yes! For several species like maitake and chicken of the woods, we recommend sterilizing or pasteurizing logs first. You'd need special bags and a pressure cooker or steamer. That's pretty involved. If your wood is fresh and you're working with easier species, sanitizing shouldn't be an issue!

[@thekingtroll2]

I'm trying to learn about mushrooms. I'm in Ohio and I have a ton of friends that go mushroom hunting. The morel goes for about $40 a lb now. I don't eat them. One day the city came to trim 3 maple tree's on my property. They are about 60 years old. (Boy do they butcher those tree's when the break out that chain saw to hack them away from the electric lines). So after they were done cutting, there was all that sawdust on the ground. It was about 5 feet by 8 feet on one side and it was a few inches thick, I'd say. Anyway, the guy said he was going to spray some grass seed fertilizer on there because the grass was almost non existent anyway around those maple tree's. Ok, sure, fine. ( I could have cared less). My point is, one day I broke out the weed eater to go do the trimming before I started to mow the grass. Suddenly, I called a pal and asked him if he could come over. He pulled in and I was waiting on him. I handed him one of those cheap plastic grocery sacks. He said "What's this for?" and I told him "You are going to go mushroom hunting". He said "What?". I told him "C'mere". We walked about 15 feet over to the maple tree and he looked at me and started to smile and then looked at me again. Lo and behold there was about 20 morel mushrooms in that 5x8 green patch of sawdust and fertilizer. He said he has never seen that sight before. Mushrooms like that growing in somebody's front yard. I'd say about 30 feet from the street. ( I absolutely LIED and told him that was a project I was working on to grow mushrooms). This all happened in about 2 weeks. He told me I could make big money doing that. ( I actually put a fresh cut tree limb down and cut a half inch or so at a time on a tarp so I could gather the sawdust. I spread it out again and threw some miracle grow fertilizer on it and nothing. I researched grass seed that had fertilizer on it but haven't done that yet because I was going to actually ask the city what they used and if I could buy a gallon of it.

[@NorthSpore]

Collect and eat those morels!

[@Jayleenyc]

Cannot wait to get my fruiting bag. Would love to do this but I live in NYC so would be hard for me.

[@NorthSpore]

Hope you have fun!

[@Gabriel-oy7vx]

I bought mine in an online store

[@Gabriel-oy7vx]

On ig

[@richardm4706]

I often see pre-spawned mushroom logs sold in gardening centers in Japan. Today, for example, our local center had small diameter oak logs with shitake plugs. They sell them for about US $13.00. The logs, however, are of a small diameter; perhaps 2-3 inches. Hole spacing and log length are almost identical to the log you are inoculating. What are you thoughts on these items; are they worth it?

[@nodigBKMiche]

For us beginners😐 could you please also tell us what trees/logs grow which mushroom type. I am trying to learn my trees, but repetition is great ☺️ great video, I am a sub 😀👍🏼

[@NorthSpore]

check out this reference! northspore.com/pages/spawn-faq-1

[@nodigBKMiche]

North Spore thank you so Much 😁. But, I still need to learn what these trees look like....sorry, I really need repetition, the dam things change their looks four times a year in Canada 😀

[@AJ-pt5mn]

Great guide, is it possible to use the leftovers from saw dust fruiting blocks as an inoculation source in a log?

[@NorthSpore]

You could! It might not have as high a success rate as fresh spawn, but what a great way to get the most from a block!

[@chrisgoldbach4450]

Time to try it out! Would it help by pouring boiling water on the wood then letting it cool and inserting plugs? Im ocd about all of this so the outdoor method is crazy to me but it is natural outside every day haha thanks for your help through the past years. I'm a different person now. Use to hate my life and self until you all taugh me how cultivation works and treated myself.

[@NorthSpore]

Wow, I'm so glad mushrooms have helped you! They've certainly been good to us. I'm excited to try a new recipe this week with some dried morels! No need to use boiling water on your logs. Just make sure the logs are as healthy and fresh as possible.

[@MarissaBrinkman101]

Wow!! Great stuff guys

[@izholmes]

Just found your channel and totally inspired by everything I've seen so far and now mushroom obsessed! Thank you! This video in particular has some killer music! Can you share what it is?

[@NorthSpore]

You know something I've asked and couldn't find out. I've suggested that future videos include the music in the descriptions. Sorry!

[@izholmes]

@@NorthSpore Hey! Thanks for your reply! Oh well.... Thanks for including in going forward! Just got my mushrooms in the mail. So excited to grow them this year! Thank you for all you do.

[@izholmes]

@@NorthSpore I'm sorry I didn't think of this before! I asked Google to ID the song: Andreas Boldt "Gentle Impulsions".

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

I just bought a place a upstate ny. I need to try it out this coming march! Great video!

[@NorthSpore]

Reach out with questions anytime!

[@Gaelztorm]

I got those tools and inoculated Maple logs with Oyster spawn. My first go and used up exactly 1lb and 1lb of Wax. I look like I know what I'm doing but still a bit nervous about these shipping delays. The Spawn also got stuck in costumes for quite some time, (no fault of the supplier). When I finally got it the bag was already super colonized and getting rock hard on the top. I don't know what to expect from all this. I used some dark Beeswax so I wont be able to see if its going to work either. Wish me luck!

[@NorthSpore]

Wishing you the best of luck with your logs! It all sounds good on our end, that your plugs were healthy and strong. Reach out with questions anytime!

[@DanBrown96]

Really well done video and super informative. Thank you.

[@NorthSpore]

You got it!

[@ingolfurarnar697]

Is there no video where I can see these fruit? Love this would like to see the whole process :)

[@NorthSpore]

Logs can take up to a year or more to start flushing so that aspect of the process was not available to film at this time! We have a lot of great log photos on our Instagram , however!

[@helentc]

What are the advantages to colonizing a log like this as opposed to spreading the sawdust block to more sawdust blocks.

[@thenaturekid3739]

Can I grow mushrooms on firewood

[@NorthSpore]

Won't work well at all. Fresh cut wood! Learn more here: northspore.com/pages/grow-mushrooms-on-logs-videos

[@davidandloricasey7828]

Question....some believe that a cut log should sit for a week or so before inoculation. What say you ? Thank You! ( Mushroom hobbiest in Western New York)

[@NorthSpore]

There are different schools of thought on this subject. It certainly won't hurt to hold off a week or two, but we've had success using freshly cut wood too!

[@Tina-gf9lk]

Some people clean logs with the metal brush to get rid off green staff.

[@NorthSpore]

You can do that, but it isn't necessary

[@m005kennedy]

Nice video!

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks Mike!

[@gabidouglas3813]

Thank you for this info!! ✌💜🌌

[@NorthSpore]

You're welcome!

[@catfunksfabulousfinds]

Does it have to be an oak log? Will it work on Fir, pine or birch?

[@jesuschristislordoflordsan427]

at least i saw some seller/re-seller/producer that warned against using his products on pine

[@jeremybenson5782]

From internet: Shiitake mushrooms are traditionally grown outdoors on seasoned hardwood logs - preferably oak, although maple, birch, poplar, aspen, beech, and other species have also been used successfully. fir is actually softwood. It burns quicker and faster. Good stove starter, and hardwood for longer-lasting fire.

[@NorthSpore]

Pine and coniferous trees are not conducive for most edible mushroom species. Shiitake, however, does grow on birch!

[@shandynachsin3765]

I love this video.

[@NorthSpore]

mush love!

[@alpokofilm]

Thank you for the Video! Can you estimate how much you can harvest after force fruiting a log?

[@NorthSpore]

The rule of thumb for shiitake logs is 2lb per log per year, though I've had years with significantly more than that, and years that were a bit light. A successful flush will have large shiitakes over the majority of the log.

[@alpokofilm]

North Spore Thank you! 🌷

[@shannonfraiser7010]

Glad I come across this video

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for your support!

[@imagineaworld]

So cool man thanks for sharing!

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for watching!

[@meagenruttan4681]

Awesome! Thank you for this informative video!

[@NorthSpore]

You're welcome!

[@Zacharius-Maximus]

Thanks for Sharing! I have about 250 inoculated logs. I'm located on the coast in northern California so moisture is no issue. This March will be coming up on 2 years and my stacks are going off. Shitakes are easily as big as my palms something as big as my hands. . Two Questions: You didn't mention a lag time between cutting the tree down and inoculation. Is this a myth I have come across? second question: I have always used plug spawn. Its faster in my opinion. Have you noticed a difference in output when using plug spawn vs using sawdust spawn? Thanks!

[@helentc]

In this video, it looks like you're using Shiitake, do most mushrooms take to this method? Or would some varieties not be suitable. Thank you for the great video!

[@johannarepke2887]

When should I store wood that has been inoculated with chicken of the woods caps?

[@wizeman7627]

Hi Matt, love the videos! Just subscribed to your channel. I've been foraging wild mushrooms for 3 years now and would love to start growing at home! Been farming my entire life but have no idea where to start marketing/selling some of delicious fungi!? Is it even close to selling sweet corn and tomatoes 😅. Any advice you could give might be the motivation I need to start my first grow in my home.

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks! sorry for my slow reply.. I'd definitely start with the easier species to cultivate. Mushroom beds are great (I made another video going over how to do that) Oyster mushrooms on straw beds or in buckets, wine caps in wood chips, and shiitakes on logs are the trinity of easy and productive species for new mushroom growers. Mushrooms are great for selling at farmer's markets or direct to your customers in CSAs. North Spore started as a mushroom farm before it pivoted into growing supplies. Give it a shot!

[@dougsmith9302]

I live in Montana and its february now. Just had a storm that blew over trees and has given me some elm wood to try this on. Can I assume that I can inoculate them now and place in my root cellar till early spring, say may to bring them outdoors ? Love the video, very informative.

[@NorthSpore]

Elm is great for oyster mushrooms but not recommended for Shiitake. You can always start logs inside and bring them out after the last freeze or simply manage some insulating layers on them stacked close to the ground.

[@jh1612]

What do you do with the logs once they're finished fruiting? And how do you know they have finished fruiting?

[@NorthSpore]

Hi Jeremy, the cool thing about mushrooms logs is that they will fruit for many years. The rule of thumb is 1 year per inch of diameter of the log. That said, we've heard of shiitake logs fruiting for a decade. It really depends on how well they are taken care of. Damage to the outer bark or letting them dry out are death knells for logs. If they've got a couple years without flushing mushrooms they are probably done (though it's hard to make a concrete rule about this). Once they've stopped producing they'll be much lighter in weight and probably in pretty rough shape. You can treat them like camp fire wood or let them biodegrade in the woods.

[@xxMissCupidxx]

Thanks for a really informative video 👍🏻 innoculated my first mushroom logs this year and really excited to see how they do! Question though...I've noticed some green spots on the ends of my logs, is this natural? Or is this unhealthy mould growth?

[@NorthSpore]

If it's green, it's probably mold. It's tough to know how that will play out for your log, but hopefully the mycelium was able to develop enough inside the log to combat that contaminant fungi!

[@BeachsideHank]

USDA Zones for North and Central Florida are 8b to 9a. That is where I live, anything different I should do to propagate mushrooms down here? Thank you and you folks are university level instructors.

[@katrinaschultz8493]

I have seen some people say you need to dry or cure your logs for a few weeks before innoculating. Do you believe this is a important step?

[@NorthSpore]

Nope! This is unnecessary. You should inoculate as soon as possible.

[@Inrussian]

It’s going to be 2 weeks this Friday when I cut my logs. Do I need to soak them in water for 24 hrs before I inaculate them, just spray water on them or I don’t need to do anything before I start?

[@MyNononono]

This is some fire ass content🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for your support!

[@laattardo]

Just starting this journey, does this technique only work with shataki shrooms?

[@NorthSpore]

Nope, shiitake is the best though. Check out our log cultivation faq:

[@laattardo]

@@NorthSpore thanks for the response

[@d.jaythompson7938]

Hi Jon. What about central Florida. It can get between 85 and 105 during the summer here. We have oaks with many other trees on our property but no real pond or lake to throw them in. What do your recommend as far as hydration for the logs? Also, can they be grown on live standing trees or do they have to be logs? Great video! Thanks.

[@NorthSpore]

Plenty of people grow mushrooms on logs in Florida, the natural humidity (I imagine) will help keep the logs health. You still want to focus on having plenty of shade. You want freshly cut hardwood, not standing trees. The logs only need to be soaked if there is prolonged drought or they have gone over a year and a half without producing any mushrooms.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

I use a passive solar oven to melt the wax - works great! Crock pots use way too much energy and are too slow to heat up.

[@NorthSpore]

That works too. Though I would argue a crock pot isn't a particularly energy intensive appliance.

[@threeworldsfarm1592]

As someone with any extremely humble Off-Grid system; a crock pot would require us to use the generator. A solar oven is a great idea for the people like us!

[@jamesofallthings3684]

Uses hardly any energy and is way faster than a solar oven. Reeeee.

[@ZukiTanuki]

Can you buy logs pre-inoculated?

[@NorthSpore]

Unfortunately no, but the process is relatively easy with very few tools needed!

[@larryjennings9937]

Thank you for sharing this. One question though, do the logs have to be oak? Or would any hardwood work?

[@NorthSpore]

Hi Larry, it all depends on the species of mushrooms you're trying to inoculate. Shiitake is known to work best in oak, but also can grow in Sugar Maples, Beech trees, and Birch to name a few. Some species of mushrooms have far more specific types of wood they like to grow in. Northspore.com has a whole list of mushrooms and their suitable tree species!

[@TheOldkid888]

Great video! Just about to try this myself! After cutting the logs how long should I wait before starting to inoculate? Can you begin immediately? I have a number of birch on the property along with oak. Can I use any birch or should I stick with the oak for shiitakes? Thanks

[@NorthSpore]

Check this out: northspore.com/pages/log-mushroom-cultivation-faq

[@shandynachsin3765]

I can see this is harder to do than you make it look. John, come to Fl for a week and SHOW me how to grow summer time mushrooms.

[@NorthSpore]

Have you seen our gardening walkthroughs? The methods demonstrated might be more suitable for you! northspore.com/pages/videos

[@shandynachsin3765]

Ima gonna take a look at the gardens. But truly, I'm looking for something specific.

[@shandynachsin3765]

Yes. I watched the one with the different substrates and the logs. But what i need is an easy way just to start. You people are amazing!

[@cabbytabby]

4:08 skip the intro

[@Beinhartwie1chopper]

The chickenhouse is epic

[@NorthSpore]

Yeah!

[@uihuiloo4042]

How much temperature to growing shitake

[@NorthSpore]

Cooler temperatures are best for most strains, but a nice range would be 50-70f.

[@randolphtorres4172]

THANKSGIVING

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks!

[@walkingconifer]

Trim router should be good to drill the hole as well

[@supermangomania]

hi there, I live right next to the woods and can imagine to put the logs along the back of my fence in the woods. It's end of Autumn now. A few questions : 1) can I start now and leave it out ? 2) And do I need to stack them, I have a very long fence :-D, as far as I'm concerned they can line the fence on the ground. There are however some green growing in near my fence which I actually always cut back in Spring and Autumn. 3) I guess pine tree logs won't work ? Also do the stumps need to be fresh or is it better when they a few weeks untouched? 4) how long does it take to see fruiting please? Thanks for any help. Love the vid, really informative. Sorry about the many questions ... just trying to be thorough. Kind regards,

[@NorthSpore]

Happy to help! You could inoculate logs in the fall/winter if you don't experience freezing temperatures but you'll want it to be warm enough for the logs to colonize at first, and then they can be overwintered next year. Stacking them helps maintain moisture and then you could stand them up against your fence for fruiting. Pine and coniferous trees in general aren't conducive to most species but we have a great FAQ (northspore.com/pages/spawn-faq-1) that matches species with tree and difficulty. Fruiting can take up to a year or more, but it really depends on log size, environment and species as they all vary.

[@patribee5457]

Nice! We want to inoculate this year, in Pa. we ordered lots of bags last year, but won’t order so many, the extra unopened ones fruited and crapped out. Should we just stick to lions mane & shiitake to start? Our old woodpile is so ready to go.

[@NorthSpore]

Hi there! We do only recommend growing on fresh cut healthy logs! I would suggest cutting some new ones if you are planning to inoculate this season!

[@jonathancurry88]

Great video folks! I have a question about your workstand/sawhorse - did it come with those L-shaped log brackets or did you make/buy these separately?

[@NorthSpore]

It looks like you can buy sawhorses with clamps that would be similar to this!

Wow.. Best job!

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks! 😃

[@girarddyess]

Is there a better time of the year to start this process - new log production? Also, if you don't have a tree to fell - where can one purchase tree logs? We successfully grew mushrooms years ago from a tree that came down on anther property - and it has been 5+ years - and want to start growing some again.

[@NorthSpore]

We recommend talking to a local tree service. They often have logs or know of where to source them

[@ChiaraMorgan]

Thanks a lot!! This is such a great and informative video, it's the second time i come back to watch. I have a question: how does wax work? Do you just leave it there and the mushrooms are then supposed to slowly grow or do you have to do something after? Thanks! I am going to try, actually I have got a nice log and shiitake micelium. After inoculating should i just leave it alone (in a humid bush-like area outside?) Thanks a lot.

[@NorthSpore]

The wax is just used to keep other mushroom spores or bacteria out of the log. You are drilling to inject the fresh log with spawn, then sealing it up to prevent any cross contamination. The mycelium will slowly grow throughout the entire log, when it's fully colonized mushrooms will pop from anywhere on the log, not necessarily where you injected spawn!

[@ChiaraMorgan]

@@NorthSpore that is great!! Thanks a lot for the informations! I did it on one "row" of a log, so now i will procede with the rest and patiently wait 🤗🥰! Should i keep it humid? Is it useful to somehow feed the log or you just leave it to nature?

[@balacustoms1282]

Faster with the angle grinder attachment yes, but the faster rpms can cause burning inside the holes which is not good for the spore correct?

[@NorthSpore]

I've never heard of this being an issue.

[@courtneybrad]

Another question you didn't answer or if you did I missed it. Did you let the log rest before inoculating it? Or cut and go?

[@NorthSpore]

You can leave your log to rest for up to 1 month though it isn't necessary. There are different schools of thought on this. Some log growers swear by aging their logs for 1 or 2 weeks before inoculation. We've always cut and inoculated the same day with great results!

[@bobg5362]

So you don't wait 2-3 weeks after felling the tree to inoculate the logs? I've read this is recommended so that the tree's residual immune system will fade.

[@NorthSpore]

There are different schools of thought on this. We've always had success inoculating right after felling the tree, but you are absolutely able to wait up to a month to inoculate.

[@HYEMP3KING]

Thanks for such an informative video! I'm going to have a kiwiberry orchard, on a T-bar trellis, which I believe will provide just enough shade if I were to put the logs in an upside-down V orientation. Question to you is in the spring there won't be much leaves on those vines and sunlight would go through the vines easily. Is that ok to still grown in that kind of area? I would have drip-irrigation lines on top and can spray the logs every so often so they retain theiroisture content.... It's the sunlight that I'm thinking about. I would be growing @ a +5,700 ft elevation, humid/cool climate. Any opinion on what setup would grow best with a T-trellis canopy above instead of the forest?

[@NorthSpore]

I think it would be ok as long as you monitor them for signs of drying out. You don't necessarily need to spray them unless there is a dry spell! Most temperate climates do not require watering logs as intermittent rains and atmospheric humidity do the trick.

[@markshaver1721]

I live in southeast Tennessee, would now be a good time to cut logs and inoculate them for growing Shiitake mushrooms?

[@gavincrump9831]

Very cool. Thank you

[@NorthSpore]

Thanks for watching!

[@dannyolson5603]

Nice video! I have lyons mane and shiitake spore but oak trees are hard to come by where I live. Do you think I would have any luck with ash logs?

[@jeremybenson5782]

You should mention log watering. You say logs can dry out. What about watering them by hand? I suppose if it's really dry you can just mimic a nice rain?

[@NorthSpore]

Best practice is to soak the logs overnight. You can use a barrel with water, sled filled with water, a pond, trash can, whatever you have available! This is better than frequent surface watering. You really want the water to soak into the log.

[@jeremybenson5782]

@@NorthSpore And that would get them through a low rain summer? Thanks for the comment.

[@shlomogoldman3214]

Is it best to let the logs rest for a while after cutting down the tree before inoculating, or cut and inoculate right away?

[@NorthSpore]

Logs should be inoculated within a week or two of cutting. This allows the cells in the tree to die but is not long enough for the log to dry out or for other competitor fungi to become established. A month would be about the longest reasonable stretch of time between cutting and inoculating.

[@tombley5760]

This could have been five minutes without the post production toss.