(Lentinula edodes) • Meet the Mushrooms

Edibility & TasteShiitake mushrooms have a rich, savory, and umami-packed flavor with a slightly smoky, earthy, and buttery undertone. Their taste is often described as meaty and deeply satisfying, making them a favorite in vegetarian and gourmet dishes. When cooked, they develop a silky yet slightly chewy texture, enhancing their complex, roasted, and almost garlic-like aroma.

Grows OnShiitake thrives on dense, non-aromatic hardwoods with good moisture retention. The following tree species are ideal: Oak (Best overall choice – high yield & longevity), Pecan, Walnut, Alder, Sweetgum, Maple (Hard Maples: Sugar Maple, Black Maple, Florida Maple), Ironwood (Hop-Hornbeam), Cherry (Black Cherry, Wild Cherry), Sycamore, Tulip Poplar, Eucalyptus, Chestnut, Ash, Birch, Bitternut Hickory, Willow

These species are NOT recommended due to high resin content, natural fungicides, or low nutrient availability:
• Conifers (Pine, Cedar, Spruce, Fir, Cypress, Hemlock, etc.) – High in resins and antifungal compounds
• Fruit Trees (Apple, Pear, Peach, etc.) – Often contain antimicrobial properties
• Elm – Resistant to fungal colonization
• Hackberry – Poor growth results
• Sassafras – Natural antifungal compounds
• Soft Maples (Red Maple, Striped Maple, Silver Maple) – Less dense, decomposes too quickly
• Dogwood – Not suitable
• Black Locust – Extremely rot-resistant, poor fungal growth
• Beech – Slow decomposition and inconsistent fruiting
• Hickory (Shagbark, Pignut, etc.) – Too dense, slow to colonize